I was interested in
international cooperation in the lower grades of elementary school. I was
shocked as the same child when I saw on TV that African children died of hunger
and illness. I, as a child, wanted to help children who were suffering, and I began
donating money to UNICEF every year. To work at UNICEF in the future, I thought,
at that time, that I needed to study international relations and international
politics. I entered a University and majored in Law and Politics. I met Dr. Akira
Kurihara, who studies issues of Minamata and Okinawa and who teaches political
sociology. I learned from him that the importance of assisting socially
vulnerable people and confronting the absurd world. Confronting the absurdity
of society became “a mission of my life.” Then, I got a master's degree in
international policy studies at a graduate school in the United States, and I met
Ms. Maiko Ohnishi, the representative of GBN at that school.
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| Graduation Ceremony 2008 |
After graduating from
graduate school, I started working for a Japanese NGO supporting Africa, Mozambique,
and I was assigned to work in Mozambique as the director of the Mozambique
office in 2009. I conducted peacebuilding activities, educational support, vocational
training, development of fair trade products, and community development with a
local NGO. Since 2012, I worked in northern Mozambique for a Japanese company, and
I involved in agricultural, biofuel and rural finance projects with the aim of
local production and local consumption of food, energy and finance to support
local populations.
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| The agricultural project in northern Mozambique. We exhibited rice purchased from local farmers. |
During my nine years in Africa, I struggled with troubles and difficulties. I faced difficulties such as struggling with Portuguese communication with local staffs, power outage for a month, water outrage for a long time and transporting water every day, malaria, dengue fever etc. Also there were a lot of painful incidents such as I lost some of my important colleagues.
Even so, I was able to overcome the difficulties and
be saved by the vitality and cheerful personality of African people, the spirit
of helping each other, and the ability to confront difficulties. When I am in
Africa, I feel the senses of human beings that I have forgotten in developing
countries, such as humanity, a sense of being alive, and survival instincts are
restored. I am fascinated by Africa, which reminds me of such an important physical
and intellectual abilities.
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| Children in Bondoia village, southern Mozambique. |
I would like to contribute
to the projects of GBN in African countries as the secretary-general based on
my experience in Mozambique. I would like to help people to
improve their lives by assisting their independence. And I want to spread the attractive
points of Africa through various activities. Thank you very much for your
continued support to GBN!
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