Kizuna Project: Ties that Bind

From June 10th to 23rd ,2012, twenty-three high school students and two teachers from Dobson High School in Mesa, AZ visited Japan as a part of the Japanese government-sponsored “Kizuna(bond) Project”.

Under this project, more than 10,000 youths from forty-one countries and regions have the opportunity to participate in the related programs. This project is a part of Japanese reconstruction plans and aims at promoting global understanding of Japan’s revival efforts in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake.

This January, about 50 Japanese high school students from Wakamatsu Daiichi High School from Fukushima and Ushiku High School affiliated with Toyo University from Ibaraki will visit Dobson High School, Arcadia High School, Saguaro High School, Desert Mountain High School, and the other Phoenix area high schools. The Japanese students will present information about the Great East Japan Earthquake on the evening of January 14th, 2013 at Coronado High School in Arizona. The students will give the presentations at a local high school but the entire community is invited to attend.

Bri Turner (Junior, Dobson High School, the second from the left)

My trip to Japan was one that I will never forget, a life changing experience that I couldn't trade for anything. The moment I stepped onto the bustling streets of Tokyo I was overwhelmed but my soul was stimulated, never had I been to a place with such life. The culture was foreign and often I was afraid of disrespecting the Japanese but they were so welcoming and patient that I became comfortable in a place thousands of miles away from my home. When I saw the destruction done to Sendai caused by the tsunami I developed a pain in my chest, the site was surreal. I pictured what life once lived and the homes that once stood on those ruined lands, he piles of debris stretching for miles had once belonged to families--young children, students-- like me. I couldn't imagine how someone my age could deal with such tragedy. But, visiting the local school, Mesei High School in Sendai, the students opened my eyes, teaching me to appreciate the little things. Though, these people have lost everything, their homes, their money and even their loved ones they still are the most dignified people I have ever come across. The people of Sendai will always have a place in my heart. Never will I forget their outstanding strength, bravery and the ability to come together as a community and keep fighting, no matter the obstacles they face every day, whether it be re-building hope to re-building homes. I didn't believe that I could become so attached to a place and its people in a matter of days, but here I am. Feeling hopeless and ready to give up I think back on Japan and its people, who lead lives with such respect and appreciation. I soon become thankful for all my blessings, I think of this beautiful country and I say "thank you".