“Children with Smiles like Sunshine”
Mr. Atsushi Toriyama (Aichi Prefecture, Japan)
I teach in a school for handicapped children. Japan has a well-established educational system, in which education is easily accessible to everyone: education at elementary and junior high school level is compulsory. High school and college enrollment is also very high. There are decent scholarship programs to support the needy. However, I have always felt that something was missing here. In 10 years of teaching I had never encountered a program like this one in Japan. I was eager to join this study tour.
It was my first visit to Thailand. The vast country landscape of northeastern Thailand spread in front of me. What I saw there were children with big beautiful smiles radiating like rays of sunshine. Their living conditions were far from rich. I heard that most families in the village where I stayed had large financial debts. Just from the appearance of children at school, I could tell how severe their lives were: some had socks torn at their heel, while others had nothing on their feet. Yet such things did not seem to bother them. They were cheerful and energetic. The students were taking the classes seriously. I felt their enthusiasm. I saw something very strong in them. I realized that teaching is a wonderful occupation. A teacher can give children dreams and help them grow.
The three-day stay passed with the blink of an eye. I have come to realize that I cannot support them alone. Yet, as a teacher in Japan, I can tell my students and my colleagues about my experiences during the study tour. This will be my contribution for the new millennium. Hopefully, it will deepen people’s understanding of the situation in Thailand.
“A Program that Makes Your Heart Warm and Tender”
Ms. Natsumi Onaka (Senior Representative, Morioka Future Partners)
In autumn 1998, a group of high school student members of Morioka Future Partners participated in “Miswritten Redeemable Postcard campaign”* and collected postcards amounting to scholarships for 4 Thai students for 3 years. We had been looking forward to receiving the student certificates and photos. When the packets came, we were happy, but also a little shocked by the frail appearance of the Thai students. Upon looking at the photos, we realized how our support could give these four students new opportunities, and we became conscious of our responsibilities.
We knew Darunee Scholarship program emphasizes “Person to Person Support”; a donor is matched directly with a student. When we visited the scholarship students this last summer, we actually experienced “Person to Person Support.” During our stay, we caught a glimpse of the warm human relationships among people in spite of their economic difficulty. It caused us to re-evaluate the important aspects of life. We hope that the Darunee Scholarship program will continue to play the role of nourishing people’s heart, rather than mere economic assistance.
*One can return miswritten postcards in Japan similarly to how one can return cans and bottles in the United States.
“Those Supporting and Those Being Supported”
Ms. Aya Tsuyuki (10th grade, Morioka Shirayuri Gakuen High School)
Before I decided to visit Thailand, I wondered if it would be more meaningful to give up the trip and donate the money so that more students could go to junior high school. But I feel confident in the decision I made. It was worthwhile to visit Thailand and create a personal relationship with the people I met. Everyone was friendly and the children seemed to enjoy going to school. I was impressed with the fact that they produced almost no household garbage. As they are rather poor, I thought that gifts from Japan would be enjoyed. To the contrary, I found the packaging and wrapping turned into trash and siblings quarreled. In the end, it only disturbed their lives.
Through this trip to Thailand, I came to a greater understanding that being poor is not necessarily equivalent to being unhappy. With this lesson in mind, I hope to contribute to this scholarship program more actively so that those supporting and those being supported will help each other and learn from each other.
“What 30,000 yen ($300) Means to a Scholarship Student and to Me”
Ms. Kimiko Anzai (Fukushima Pref.)
“For 30,000 yen, one student can attend school for 3 years.” I still remember the shock I felt when I realized the difference in value of 30,000 yen to a Thai student and to me. That recognition has been the driving force for me to continue to sending funds for the past 11 years. At that time, my eldest daughter was a sixth grade student, and the notion that such a young girl would soon be working in Thai society struck me as sad. Every time I receive a students’ certificate and photograph, I hope for happiness in their life. I hope they will keep their courage in the hardship surrounding them. I will continue to support children so they can look forward to a better future in their village.
“My Mission after Retirement: ‘Darunee Civil Ambassador’”
Mr. Shunji Ishikawa (Ichikawa Pref.)
I first came to know about the Darunee Scholarship program when I attended a lecture sponsored by the Japan-Thailand Club. When I first received a photograph of the student I am sponsoring, I was very moved and I began to exchange letters. It was as if I had a new grandchild. Then I visited the students, their school, and their residences. Their innocence and pureness struck me. That feeling still remains in my memory. When I sipped lukewarm water from a jar in Thailand, I felt as if I was back in midsummer, wartime Japan. Now, in my old age, I believe it is my mission to tell as many people as possible about the Darunee Program.
“Let’s Expand the Circle of Goodwill”
Mr. Keizo Kato (Fukui City)
While participating in a campaign led by the National Abacus Education Association, I learned that there are many children unable to attend school in Thailand and I became a donor of Darunee Scholarship program. I felt refreshed somehow when I received a certificate and photograph of the scholarship student. Although I have never met him, the sight of his pure eyes made me hope that his studies will go well and that he’ll grow up to be a wonderful adult. I understand there are many children who are unable to go to school, despite of their desire to do so. I hope that the circle of goodwill will grow so that we can support all the children in need.
“Watching Child Sellers”
Ms. Mieko Tsukahara (Yokohama City)
More than ten years ago I went to Bangkok with my husband, who was there on business. I was shocked to see so many children selling things; not only in Bangkok, but also in resort areas. It appeared that children were helping earn money rather than attending school. There was a huge gap between the rich and the poor. On the contrary, in Japan, every child receives education and lives in luxury. It was around that time I learned about the Darunee Scholarship program from an article in the Asahi Newspaper. I became a donor immediately. Now I am supporting my fourth student.
“Wishing to Live in Peace, Helping Each Other”
Ms. Harue Matsuda (Wakayama Pref.)
I am tempted to do something whenever I hear a story about people in trouble. Always hoping that people will help each other and live peacefully, I decided to donate to the Darunee fund. As I have experienced wartime as a young girl, I feel I can overcome any difficult situation if I compare it to my wartime experience.
“If it is 30 yen per Day, I will Manage Somehow”
Ms. Yoshie Murahara (Miyazaki Pref.)
When I saw an article about the Darunee Scholarship program in a local newspaper, I felt that 10,000 yen was a lot of money because we are not so well off. However, my second thought was that I could save 30 yen a day. I myself could not finish middle school in the confusion of the World War II aftermath. Sometimes I have felt unhappy with my lack of education. Now, my son is going to medical school. He is paying for school by working part-time and with the help of scholarships. He has been receiving scholarships since he was a high school student. When I first saw a certificate and a photograph of my Darunee scholarship student, I felt as if she were my granddaughter. I sincerely hope she will lead a happy and long life.
“As Repentance for World War II”
Mr. Kouzou Handa (Kouchi City)
Japan has attained remarkable economic growth after having experienced confusion, poverty and hunger after her defeat in World War II. I myself have been a workaholic until just recently. Some ten years ago or so, my children became almost independent economically and I began to feel some sense of repentance for the World War II as I was one of the grown-ups during the war. Since then, I have supported children in unfortunate regions. I presume I can live peacefully as long as one small light of goodwill burns brightly by this old man.
“Let’s Try Hard to Improve This Society”
Ms. Mariko Hirata (Oita City)
I became a Darunee scholarship donor 10 years ago after I read a newspaper article saying “Life is empty unless one endeavors to improve this society.” Now I am supporting a third scholarship student. The fact that a donor is matched directly with a student is a good part of this program. My imagination runs wild when I receive my student’s certificate and picture and think about his daily life; helping with farm work, fetching water, taking care of younger brothers and sisters, and so forth after coming home from school. I can imagine he is doing his best everyday in the peaceful atmosphere of his village in the expanse of a paddy field.
“Education Can Change a Society”
Ms. Emiko Hiroshima (Kashiwa City)
As people were very kind to me the three years I lived there, I became extremely fond of Thailand and its people. After I returned to Japan, I became a donor so that I could somehow respond to the kindness I received. I am grieved by the fact that more Thai women enter Japan to work illegally to escape the poverty back in their community and are often involved with unfortunate incidents. I sometime think that the situation might have been different if they had received an education. It makes a big difference in one’s life, whether one can receive an education or not. I firmly believe education can change a society. Nonetheless, if there are no job in their own communities after graduating from junior high school, students will have to leave for big cities or Japan to seek employment opportunities. I understand Minsai Center Japan and EDF Thailand are energetically trying to promote community development to cope with such a problem. I look forward to seeing the positive results.
