Please share this with anyone you think might be interested. We need to get the word out!!
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Kirk here, asking that you help Takemura-sensei. I think many of you know of her work. For those who don't please read the following brief description which ChatGPT and I translated from the website where you can donate:
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Message from the Organizer
We provide Japanese language instruction and create safe spaces for children with foreign roots who are living in Kumamoto Prefecture, helping them achieve their dreams. We kindly ask for your continued support so that we can keep these efforts going!
Project Highlights
1. Over the past 15 years, we have expanded our Japanese language support for children.
2. However, the rapid increase in the number of children has made it difficult to continue our support activities.
3. We want to keep supporting these children so they can live confidently in Japan!
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Website where you can donate
https://for-good.net/project/1001095
The image you see is of Takemura-sensei, the amazing person who started the school and has kept it going all these years. It's a screenshot of an NHK program about her activities that was broadcast nationwide in 2017:
https://www2.nhk.or.jp/chiiki/movie/?das_id=D0015010752_00000
The webpage has a segment of the show that you can see (that's where the image is from) and this blurb (as always, translated with ChatGTPs help) about her organization and activities:
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In Koshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, there is a house where children with roots in foreign countries gather on weekends. It is run by the NPO "Support Network for Children from Overseas, Kumamoto" (外国から来た子ども支援ネットくまもと). Children come from all over the prefecture to learn Japanese. While the children can speak Japanese fluently, they struggle with reading and writing. Due to the language barrier, they tend to feel isolated at school. In this house, they can converse in their native languages and enjoy meals together, making it a "second home" where they feel safe.
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Takemura-sensei's work has been mentioned on this page several times. Here's one relevant post from Atsuko Kumabe:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid0Y9fZ4AarCBfhwz1LeXX6EVbBuwS2xLFnfn66nwLKXrtx8PZrYbS3445Yst3G7nNWl
Some of the people who have donated and left comments are former students (writing their comments in excellent Japanese, of course). Here are some examples, translated into English:
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from Fumei
October 8, 2024
I owe who I am today to the Support Network.
今の私がいるのは支援ネットのおかげです。
from son.h
October 7, 2024
It is no exaggeration to say that I am who I am today thanks to Takemura-sensei. I am truly grateful for your efforts on behalf of children overseas. I will continue to support you. Please always stay well.
竹村先生のお陰で今の僕がいると言っても過言ではありません。海外の子供のためにご尽力頂き、本当に感謝しております。これからも応援し続けます。先生はいつもお元気でいらしゃってください。
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