Japanese Businessman Donates more Schools in “Death March’ road

The Section of Education accepted the other day the turn-over of school buildings filled with school equipment donated with a Japanese philanthropist who wants to build extra school buildings along the route from the infamous death march.

Training Secretary Armin Luistro said the gift is a concrete symbol of healing from the ghastly memories of history and of looking forward to a future along with hope and positivism. “We thankfully acknowledge this donation from  Shimizu (Nagasaki) Foundation, Inc. through its president Mr. Katsutoshi Shimizu whoever mission is to help build goals and bridge societies. We hope many will follow suit.” Luistro added.

The recipients of the donations were Bantan Basic School in Orion, Bataan and Angelina Jimenez Basic School in Capas, Tarlac. Both school received a 2- classroom building with toilet, a Japaneses garden, 2 sets of pc units, 2 sets of LCD TV units, school uniform as well as classroom equipment including tables, chairs and chalkboards.

The gift program is lodged under DepEd’s Adopt-A-School program which invites the private sector to donate to community schools and help enhance the quality of education.

Shimizu believes that the best way to pay back the Philippines government for more than 40 years of efficiently doing business in the Philippines would be to build classrooms and provide Philippine school children with a comfortable studying environment.

To date, the foundation has adopted and donated college buildings and the same group of school furniture to one school in Talisay and two schools inside Calatagan, Batangas.

“The chairs and tables -- contributed by the Prefecture of Nagasaki where Shimizu comes - are designed not only to carry 5 times the weight of an adult person but also to protect young children in times of emergency,” said Luistro.

Shimizu, today 74, first visited the particular Philippines in 1969 and has since made good business in bringing to the Philippines used assorted ships/parts and Japanese technology. Having been in and out of the country greater than 500 times, Shimizu considers the particular Philippines his second home.

To prove his commitment to assist Philippine education Shimizu said he created the Shimizu foundation and purchased this son to continue their legacy even if he is eliminated.

Shimizu said he wants to become a private ambassador of friendship in between Japan and the Philippines. “To become a beautiful rainbow where 1 end is in Japan and also the other end is in the Philippines,” he or she quipped.