Contributions from people overseas who are sharing the message of Hiroshima

(6)Building 100 schools in Nepalby Minoru Matsuda

We began building schools in Nepal in 1993. This March, 600 kilometers from the capital, Kathmandu, we held the opening ceremony for our 97th school. Our goal, the 100th school, will be realized next spring.

Mr. Matsuda making a speech in front of a new school in Nepal. (February 2007)

Mr. Matsuda shaking hands with the King of Nepal after being honored for his work.

Minoru Matsuda

Born in the city of Higashi-Hiroshima. After working as a high school teacher, he joined Hiroshima University of Economics in 1973 and retired in 2004. In 1996, he received an award for his work in Nepal from a TV station in Hiroshima. And, in 2005, he was honored by the King of Nepal. He is now working as a part-time lecturer at Hiroshima Shudo University.

I became involved in this work after I came for sightseeing and felt that the land needed reforesting. In 1991, the Nepalese government gave me permission to plant thousands of trees in the mountains. During this planting, I took a break at a school and I was surprised that the structure was basically just a hut without any blackboards or chalk.

I asked how much money was needed to improve the school and the local people told me, "It would cost about ¥ 150,000 ($1260). For ¥ 500,000 ($4200), you could build a fine, new building." At the time, I was working at Hiroshima University of Economics and counseling students in their career paths. I'd just published a book on this topic and I decided to use the profits to establish two new schools in Nepal.

I set the following six conditions for selecting the locations for the schools: (1) A landowner must provide his land for free. (2) After building the schools, the teachers are supplied by the government. (3) The literacy rate in the area is low. (4) The local people are experiencing economic difficulties. (5) The workers involved in constructing the building must be specified. (6) The whole village strongly supports establishing the school.

In the same way, I've helped establish schools with the financial cooperation of other Japanese people.

While I was still working at the university, I set up a foundation to support constructing schools in Nepal and I took groups of students to Nepal more than 20 times to promote their interest and action in this regard. Although I retired in 2004, my supporters and I have maintained our work in Nepal.

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At one of our schools, a financial supporter from Hiroshima presented a story about the atomic bombing to the children there and it was covered widely in the local media.

Since 2003, though, we have been concerned about the political unrest in Nepal. The situation has forced us to change our plans and cancel some visits. In mountain villages, in particular, the danger is higher. The roads are sometimes blocked and soldiers carrying guns have checked our bags.

Also, my health isn't as strong now and I don't know how much longer I can continue working. However, with the kind support of others, I will try to do my best for the children of Nepal.