Japanese becomes happily excited at the sight of cherry blossoms. Even
the image of cherry blossom viewed from a distance or of cherry petals
falling over our heads can make us feel rich.
Elementary school in Japan starts in April and its entrance ceremony
quite often takes place when the cherry blooms. But at my entrance to elementary
school I have no memory of seeing cherry blossoms, nor do I have photographs
of the flowers. Rather my first impression of the school, Yakumo Elementary
School, Meguro, was junk iron piled in the center of the schoolyard. The
iron was probably delivered to the government as it was during wartime.
Cherry Blossom in Yakumo Elementary School
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I especially remember too that when I entered the school, my mother told
me to play with another kid who had no friend if I should see one during
the break time. I tried to follow her words faithfully and, whenever I
found a lonely kid, I tried to make him or her join the group of children
at play.
Looking back on this now, my interest in the UNESCO spirit might have
kindled from that time. The UNESCO spirit, as I understand it, is to see
that no one is left alone unattended as orphans neither in the regional
society nor in the world. Everyone required being considerate toward other
people’s situation.
Perhaps reflecting on the foregoing will help us to prepare for what
we must do later this May. On May 26, Meguro UNESCO Association will hold
its 48th General Meeting and all officers including the President will
end
Cherry Blossom in Yakumo Elementary School their two-year terms of office
and be reelected.
The following are some of the problems we must try to solve this year:
1. Review of officers’ assignments to strengthen teamwork,
2. Improvement of Association’s finances, including review of membership
fee,
3. Review of activities to add something new and make them always interesting,
4. Review of administrative assignments to Improve efficiency,
5. Finding a proper administrative office space, incorporation of the Association,
and related issues.
Hoping that everyone will continue to enjoy the UNESCO-related activities,
I kindly solicit
your continued cooperation and active participation in the Association.
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