I am trying to recall my initial reason why I decided to study in the United States. it started with the moment that I was diagnosed with sterility because of severe stress from overwork and family concerns about ten years ago. As I was told by the doctor that I needed to take a rest, I had to quit my favorite job. Similarly, I faced having to give up my dream of getting married with someone and building my family as there is still a traditional custom in Japan that women should have babies as long as they are married.
I knew that that it would be easy to feel sorry for myself and to think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. However, I tried to think as to what I could do in my life and to be grateful for what I had at the present.
A few months later after I left my previous job, I got a new job. Less responsibility, l usually left work at 5:00 p.m., and my health condition got better.
One day, my boss suggested that I go to an English evening school. Then my new life started. However, it had been still hard for me to give up not having a baby. Around then, I came across a poster on the bulletin board of the English school. The poster came from a NGO which was looking for sponsors who would send money to children in the Philippines who could not go to school because of their poverty. The decision was not easy because I had to send about 40 dollars every month because my income was so small. However, I saved the money and joined this sponsorship program. Now, I have a girl in the Philippines. I began sending aid to her in 2000. At that time she was in the first grade of the elementary school and will become a junior high school student this year. I receive a card from her every Christmas and a record of her progress (such as her grades or her health condition with her picture). As I don’t have any income now, I wonder how long I will be able to keep supporting her, however, I hope that I will find a way to keep sending her the aid and that she will receive good education because she wants to be a nurse.
Through English learning, I meet many people and learn that there are a lot of people who are suffering from poverty, who cannot go to school, and so forth. By becoming an English teacher, I want to teach the joy of learning about the world in order to create a global network enabling people to help each other beyond different cultures, races, and religions. After graduating from school, I want to teach English as a second language to learners from different nationalities. That is the reason why I am studying TESOL in the United States. I might be too arrogant to want to help people, however, if possible, I want to achieve this goal.
Even though I will not have my own babies, I have my Filipino child. English learning allows me to communicate with her smoothly. Through meeting her, I have learned that languages and education might play an important role to build a bridge between different cultures and people. I hope that my Filipino child will realize that the world is one some day.
The information about the NGO (Childfund Japan): http://www.childfund.or.jp/english.html
I’m so sorry to hear of what you went through. ;-;
But there are fertility treatments available. Would any of them work for you?
I also think that it is a shame that such a wonderful woman would be judged as not worth marrying because you could not have children. You may meet someone in America who is worth you, as clearly in my opinion, nobody in Japan is! -.-
That’s just not right. You are amazing. You deserve someone wonderful who will judge your worth on who you are, not what you are capable of doing or not doing for him. *hugs*
I know that a great future is awaiting you. It’s all about thinking positively and keeping faith in the universe to give you what you need. After all, the universe gave me you, and I am very thankful!! ^_^
That’s true. People shouldn’t be judged by what they are able, or unable, to do.
“Everyone is alike–with various degrees of differences.”
Thank you for your heart-warming encouragement. I feel grateful for everything that I am having now…
*hugs* I just wanted to comment: having a desire to help people is NOT arrogant! That is a warm and caring desire. You wish to help other people. There is nothing arrogant about that.
Other people (you are not one of them) brag about how they have helped people in the past. They say “I do so much for the community” but those people are not true givers. Those people help others because they want everyone to know about how wonderful they think they are. They do nice things just to advertise their accomplishments.
I *know* that you are NOT like those selfish people at all. Zenzen imasen! You are a beautiful, giving soul. You have very good Ki/Chi, a good aura about you. You are someone who would help others, and never feel the need to tell anyone.
However, there’s nothing wrong with a person feeling good when they accomplish things. That is necessary to loving ourselves. I think YOU should feel good because you have moved forward through adversity. You are an inspiration to others!
Keep going! You can do it! Gambatte Kudasai! You have already accomplished so much! *I* am proud of you.
*hugs*
That’s a beautiful commet…I don’t deseve such a wonderful comment…but I really appreciate your encouragement…