Campaign With A Cause
Two Japanese nationals have joined hands to help in the development of education and environment in Nepal
By SANJAYA DHAKAL
Traditionally, Japan has been the largest donor country to Nepal helping in various sectors like agriculture, health, education and the construction of big infrastructures.
But Japan’s assistance to Nepal is not limited only at the official level. Private Japanese individuals, too, have made generous support from time to time in the socio-economic sector.
And now two Japanese nationals Masakazu Mizutani and Teizo Shinohara have joined hands to help in the education and environment sector of Nepal.
Mizutani, 60, a president of a company in Kuwana city, Mie prefecture, Japan – a noted social worker and volunteer in Japan – has decided to provide funds to construction of 100 school buildings called “Mizutani Schools” in South Asian nations – particularly Nepal.
Mizutani’s dream of providing education to poor children has already started taking shape in Nepal. Construction of four Mizutani schools – Shree Arjun Secondary School, Bakunde Chaur VDC, Myagdi; Shree Sosthani Lower Secondary School, Madan Kudari VDC, Kavre; Shree Dhara Primary School, Puranchaur VDC, Kaski; and Shree Jana Ekta Primary School – have already begun in remote villages.
While Mizutani provides the funding, Shinohara, CEO of NPO Green Solutions – an NGO that is active in environmental and forestation programs in several countries of Asia - and Ganesh Man Lama, South Asia Regional Director of NPO Green Solutions would oversee the actual construction of the schools.
Mizutani has long-relations with Nepal because in October 12, 1973 his younger brother Isamu Mizutani – 25 years old at that time – had died in an accident of snowfall at Putha Hiunchuli (Mt. Dhaulagiri).
On the other hand, Shinohara will actively support the environmental and forestation programs in Nepal. “We think that it’s the human dignity to give a chance to have education for the poor children in poor countries and it makes equal and peaceful society,” the two Japanese donors say in a press statement.
Furthermore, the NPO Green Solutions will donate support to grow forest near each school site as per its motto “Grow Green, Grow Persons who Grow Green.”
“It is most important to teach children about the importance of trees. They are not only good for environment but also teaches one to love, respect and be close with nature,” said Shinohara, who is not only a forestry and agriculture expert but had also worked for three decades in renowned Matsushita Electric Works – of National Panasonic fame – and retired in 2001 from the post of general manager of the multinational company.
Shinohara, who is impressed by Nepal and Nepalese people, said that these supports are only the first step and they could help more in future. Their choice of extending support in education and environment sector is particularly relevant given the high rate of illiteracy (the adult literacy in Nepal stands at abysmal 55 percent) and threat of environmental vulnerability in fragile mountain ecology of the country.
At a time when Nepal is going through a difficult time, support from overseas donors like Shinohara and Mizutani will go a long way in allaying the sufferings of overwhelming majority of rural Nepalese who are afflicted by grinding poverty and illiteracy.
KEN'S NOBLE AIM
A passionate Japanese mountain lover Ken Noguchi, is all set to clean Mount Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world, next year. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the successful ascent of this 8156 m high peak.
It was first scaled on May 9, 1956 by a team of Japanese mountaineers Kiishiro Kato and Toshio Imanishi Minuru Higeta and a Nepali guide Gyalzen Norbu Sherpa. Since then about 253 mountaineers have made it to the peak. So, a lot of garbage covered under the snow is feared to be there as there has been no clean-up campaigns there.
"Although, there has been no survey about the amount of garbage in the Mount Manaslu, we expect that there should be a lot," said Ang Chhiring Sherpa, president of Nepal Mountaineering Association. "Moreover, since it is one of the most difficult mountains and a lot accidents occur, there should be lot of un-recovered corpses in the mountain area."
"Since nobody has attempted to clean up Mount Manaslu since its successful ascent in 1956, I have decided to do something about it," said Noguchi, 31, addressing a press meet. "I feel very happy and feel like cleaning the whole Nepal, when I bring down the garbage dumped in the mountains."
The Japanese people view Mount Manaslu with great respect and honor. Many Japanese people including former prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, have already shown commitment of participation in the golden jubilee celebration of the mountain next year.
