By Shyamal Sinha
Rainbow for Japan Kids, a special project that focuses on supporting youth affected by the earthquake and tsunami that stuck northeastern Japan March 2011. The program’s purpose is to bring affected students to Hawaii for physical and psychological relief and recovery as well as form lasting friendships with children in Hawaii, group activities included visits to local schools, joint camp stays, and various activities around the islands .
60 Tibetan College Student from Sarah & Norbulingka met with 12 Japanese College Students in Dharamsala to discuss “Pave The Way for Future” on 11 March.
Education Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok opened the conference by thanking Rainbow Children Japan for organizing the conference in collaboration with the Department of Education, CTA. He talked to the Students mainly about “three higher training namely moral, the concentration of mind & wisdom” from the Buddhist teaching, which he says are very relevant to the Students.
The President of Rainbow Children, Japan Mr Tatsuo Ishikawa said, “It is an honor to hold first full-fledged exchange between Tibetan & Japanese Student. We will continue to hold such conference, and its significance shall be recorded in our shared history”.
“It has been a memorable experience as I learn about the collective effort to promote peace in the world. Interaction with Japanese Student has been a lifelong memory for me”, remarked Tenzin Choying, 4th year Student studying Bachelor of Arts in Tibetan Language & Culture.
Asuka Toyofuku from Jokkaido University said, “It was an eye-opening, and whole interaction was full of warmth. Their struggle of losing their country and their resistance for the revival of their rich culture are quite amazing. I would fairly say, Japanese students get lots of different perspective on value of peace, and many wonderful views”.
Rainbow Children, Japan is sponsoring 100 Tibetan Students who are pursuing higher studies in India.
-Filed by Department of Education-
