Yamaga Primary School Sent Rice to Cambodia for Aid

(Oita Godo Newspaper, March 6th 2009, morning)

On March 5^th, Yamaga Primary School in Yamaga Town in Kitsuki City (Principal: Mr. ITO Kazunari, 178 students) sent glutinous rice that had been grown by thirty-two 5^th grade students to Cambodia for aid.

Under the guidance of Abe Ryotsukasa, the 5^th grade students whose school is near the rice fields, got to experience the process of planting and harvesting rice. The thirty kilos of glutinous rice obtained was sent to Cambodia through the World Food Program from the United Nation.

The official ceremony to send the rice was attended by four APU graduate students from Cambodia, Mr. Abe, and the 5^th grade students. The Cambodian students gave presentations about the hunger in Cambodia to the 5^th grade students and showed them videos as well.

KONO Takumi, 10 years old, said that "I am happy that the rice that I have grown can help the people who are hungry". It was the 8^th time that the students of the school to send rice to Cambodia.

Comment: In my opinion, this activity is very good and enlightening for the primary school students, as from a very young age, they are taught about making contribution to society, about helping the less fortunate people. If children are taught to do charity from a very young age, most likely they would grow into adults who care to make a difference in society.

NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama
Indonesia
APM2, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University