View of the School

The Asian Education and Friendship Association (AEFA), builds elementary schools for the children of Asian mountain tribes with support from The Nippon Foundation. Under this program, Higashidate Elementary School in Fukushima, Japan has a sister-school relationship with Natul Elementary School in Sarawan, Southern Laos, and this past September, Higashidate elementary school made a truly sister-schoolesque gesture when Principal Sensuke Shishido visited Natul Elementary School to present a Laotian translation of his school song to the students there.

Principal Shishido singing the school song with a guitar

Higashidate and Natul have been sister schools since April 2008. Hiroshi Tanigawa, Chairman of AEFA visited Higashidate elementary school in May 2009, and was so moved by the school song that he encouraged Principal Shishido to make a gift of it. The two men made an arrangement that was easy to understand, replacing Japanese words with local place names. It was translated into Laotian with the support of staff from Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

Gift of a Thousand Paper Cranes

On September 23, Chairman Tanigawa, Principal Shishido and graduates of Higashidate elementary school visited Natul. Shishido introduced his school to students of Natul elementary school, gave them paper cranes made by his students and a school bell which had previously been used at his school. He performed his school song in Laotian, accompanying himself on the guitar, and was greeted by wild applause from the children. The Laotian school said that it would rearrange the rhythm and melody so that Laotian children would be able to sing it easily, and promised that students would use it in the future.

Principal Shishido and Locals residents

Shishido said "As for giving our school song to them, I was worried that it might be intrusive. However the school and children accepted it with open hearts. Japan has a lot to learn from Laos. The bright eyes of children are full of hope and dreams. I think this must come from the education in Laos. I would like to think deeply about my own country’s education again."