Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

October 2018 Newsletter

https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=1a752eed0a2fcedea08fae5e7&id=ac0157e6a1

The finale of the COLT Bike ride.

Kicked off with a 24 hour Spinathon which HOVR
sponsored prizes for and then

Milan to Rome
- 4 days 
- 120 cyclists
- 708km 
- 29+ hours cycling time & many mountains climbed
- €200,000 raised as a company for local charities

https://gogetfunding.com/coltasia-charitybikeride/

Colties reaching Rome

Colties reaching Rome

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Colt Annual Bike Ride

Milan to Rome

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

San Consulting offering employment opportunities to kids leaving the homes.

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SANコンサルティングは、2005年より日本の様々な人気のリゾート施設(北海道、軽井沢、白馬、沖縄など…)に、人材紹介を行っております。

・新しい仲間との出会い
私たちはリゾート施設に世界10か国以上の様々な国の出身のスタッフを紹介しています。

・英語の上達
仕事の後や、休日など仲間たちと一緒に過ごしていく中で、きっとあなたの英語力もすぐに上達することでしょう。

・世界トップクラスのスキー場とビーチ
休日には、無料でスキーをすることもできますし、南国沖縄では、美しいビーチで好きなだけ泳ぐことができます。

・経験を活かせる
リゾート施設での接客業で得た経験は、あなたの将来の可能性をさらに広げることでしょう。
また、希望があればスキーやスキューバダイビングのインストラクターの資格を習得することも可能です(有料)。

・様々な職種
スキーリフト、レストラン、お土産売り場、インフォメーション、ホテルのフロントデスク、など様々なエリアで働くことができます。

質問? 何でもいつでも聞いて下さい: [email protected] , 080-2445-0138

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

YouMeWe in the Philippines

So happy to see the children in Boracay, Philippines joining YouMeWe class using the NightZooKeeper. This is part of our program to connect the Digital Citizens in Japan with the children overseas. We use NightZooKeeper as a tool to share English writing with each other but through SKYPE we are also looking to teach Japanese online as well as collaborate on Coding programs.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Rosetta Stone CEO visit

We were hosted at the Link and Motivation headquarters in Ginza Six yesterday by Dean Rogers, CEO of Rosetta Stone and Noriko Yamakoshi of the Premium Club. Dean explained about the company and helped inspire the children to meet someone who has started and grown his own business in Japan. The children said they were inspired to meet someone who was a success at their young age as it motivates them towards their goals.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Apple Field trip

Their time to shine.

Take your students or fellow teachers on an Apple Field Trip for an unforgettable learning experience. During the hands-on session, your group will take their imaginations to new heights using Apple products. And the work they create can complement existing classroom projects.

We visited Ginza yesterday and were taught by the very talented Masa who taught us how to use GarageBand and add the music to videos and photos and create our own movies.

 

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Sharing and Caring Event

The “Sharing and Caring” event was hosted at a week long event at the Hikarie Gallery space on the 8F Aiima from August 6-12th.

Sharing with people during the bad times and caring during the good times.

The idea is that the NPOs in Tokyo who are focused on the same population both as a volunteer base as well as the beneficiaries can help host and event for the week with a daily showcase of the work they have done. For instance, with the orphan population in Japan.

We set up the gallery space with artwork and information about the NPOs and homes we support.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Press Release:YouMeWe NPO Succeeds in GlobalGiving's Accelerator, Becomes Recognized Partner of GlobalGiving

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YouMeWe NPO Succeeds in GlobalGiving's Accelerator, Becomes Recognized Partner of GlobalGiving

(July 6, 2018) YouMeWe NPO announced today that they have graduated from the GlobalGiving Accelerator program, gaining entry into the GlobalGiving marketplace and becoming a recognized partner of GlobalGiving. As part of the Accelerator, YouMeWe NPO successfully raised $5,520 from 63 unique individual donors to support their project, "Digital Citizens."

"We're thrilled to have YouMeWe NPO as part of our community. YouMeWe NPO has met our rigorous vetting standards for trust and community support, and we're committed to providing tools, training, and support as they learn, grow and become more effective," said Mari Kuraishi, President and Co-Founder of GlobalGiving. "GlobalGiving donors value the opportunity to support nonprofits like YouMeWe NPO, knowing that they'll get regular updates about how their donations are put to work."

"Starting with career assessment tests for the future, we have several programs where the children living in group homes in Japan can choose to sign up & pursue the skills we are helping them with. 1) NightZooKeeper English training which is a game and online 2) Helping connect children with elderly to teach them ICT Skills (how to Skype, how to use a smart phone and order online as career training 3) Train them to be Japanese language instructors for the future and 4) Robotics courses & coding.", said Michael Clemons, project leader at YouMeWe NPO. "Visit our project, 'Digital Citizens' to learn how even $10 can make a difference: http://goto.gg/33595. We're $4,480 away from our overall goal of $10,000."

About YouMeWe NPO
OUR MISSION.Our primary mission is to help children growing up in institutionalized homes prepare for life outside the home once they reach the age of 18. We offer support programs that increase a child's opportunity to become a productive and financially independent young adult in their community. This means helping kids develop and hone critical skills such as language, writing, digital literacy, etc., and ultimately increase confidence levels that can lead to new opportunities and choices in the future. Providing tutoring support, internship opportunities, as well as guidance on university/technical school options will offer children another critical layer of support as they start to make plans for their future. Developed skill sets, solid communication abilities, and a thorough understanding of their options will help set kids on the right path towards successful independence. This is no easy task for any child, but it can prove especially challenging for kids without continual 1:1 attention. It is our hope that by providing educational and mentoring-based support, we will be improving their overall chances.

About GlobalGiving
GlobalGiving is the first and largest global crowdfunding community that connects nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country around the world. GlobalGiving makes it possible for local organizations to access the funding, tools, training, and support they need to become more effective and make the world a better place. Any registered nonprofit is welcome to apply for the GlobalGiving Accelerator Program: GlobalGiving.org/accelerator/

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

WE HAVE 24 HOURS LEFT TO JOIN GLOBAL GIVING AS A FULL MEMBER

PLEASE DONATE HERE:

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I wanted to share a personal story and why we do what we do.

I was the product of a teenage pregnancy. My parents were just out of high school.

For numerous reasons I never met my biological father so while I was not technically an orphan, I always wondered.

I had a name and a name of his sister. That is all. In those days, we just had the phone book. So I went through the phone book and never could find anyone.

My mother, when she became sick the first time, turned to creating her legacy of genealogy the analogue way of tracking the family tree and sending photocopied newsletters to all of the relatives on a monthly basis.

Once I moved to Japan, we relied on fax machines and then eventually the “internet” to keep in touch.

When the internet came along, I realized I could continue to look for my aunt with the unique name and so did searches, paid for info, looked all over the country but never was quite successful.

Years went passed. My mother unfortunately did not live passed 49 and so me having just turned 50 has been a eye opening experience.

Yet it was in 2007 when I was asked to play Santa in one of the children’s homes in Japan so over the many years tried to do what I could. I was offered to be the director of Living Dreams, as many of you know.

And it was a donor, who had moved on to another company but came up to me at a party and said, “You should contact the Masons. They give $1,000,000 a year away to charity.” I told him my great grandfather had been a mason. Another friend said, “If your great grandfather had been a mason, you should try to be one.”

I went online that night to the now digitized version of our family tree on Ancestry.com.

I updated the names of my twin daughters and while I was about to close the site, I scrolled over my mother’s name and the data has been improved quite a bit since 2010 when I was on the site last. If fact, it had the marriage records of her marrying my biological father and while I had thought he had passed away by then, he hadn’t.

And by doing those Internet searches way into the night I found that he was remarried an living in Fresno, California and that I had sisters I did not know about.

So, I made a copy of my baby photo and business card and sent it to the address online and received a message from one of my new found sisters via LinkedIN (very modern) meeting one’s siblings on LinkedIn!?!

I have since met almost everyone in the family on that side. I met the aunt who I couldn’t find and found that there are two more.

I have nieces and nephews and very happy to have them in our lives along with my own siblings from birth.

The phone book couldn’t take me to where I wanted to go. My paternal grandparents are buried in the same mausoleum as my great grandfather in Napa…yet our paths never crossed.

If I had never been invited to play Santa, I would never have known there are 30,000 children living in homes in Japan.

I would have never met that donor.

The conversation would never have taken place.

And now my life is quite complete.

Technology and connectivity matters.

That is why we do the work we do with the kids in Japan. 

To connect them to a future or information so that they don’t just rely on a phonebook.

When is the last time you left your phone at home and went without wifi for a day.

Imagine going 18 years...

....or in my case 48 years.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Global Giving Bonus Wednesday

Dear All, TO DONATE TO OUR CAMPAIGN, CLICK HERE

Sharing & Caring 2008 artwork &  photo                by Jårg Geismar

Sharing & Caring 2008 artwork &  photo                by Jårg Geismar



The June Accelerator is off to a great start! We're impressed with this group's energy and enthusiasm. So far, over 200 organizations from more than 50 countries have secured their first donor. Bravo! 

No matter where your organization is on the main leaderboardnext week is going to be a game changer. Why? Because the Accelerator Bonus Day is Wednesday, June 20th

Bonus Day is an exhilarating opportunity to get ahead; to use matching funds and cash prizes to leverage additional funding for your vital work. 

BOOKMARK BONUS DAY

When: The Bonus Day will last 24 hours, from 00:00:01 to 23:59:59 EDT on Wednesday, June 20th. 

How can we win matching? The $10,000 Incentive Fund will be proportionally divided between organizations that activate during the day. 

Example: If your organization raises 5% of the total amount raised by all Accelerators on Bonus Day, you will receive 5%, or $500, of the Incentive Fund. 

Too much math? Don't worry! GlobalGiving will run the calculations for you every 3 minutes on the special Bonus Day leaderboard.

How can we win a cash prize? At the end of Bonus Day, the project with the most funds raised will win a $1,000 cash prize; the project with the most one-time donors will win $500; and the project with the most recurring donors on Bonus Day will win $500.  

Important Note: Only online donations up to $5,000 per donor per project will count towards winning Bonus Day prizes. 

Will Bonus Day results count towards the Accelerator goal? Absolutely! The Main Accelerator leaderboard will be capturing all of your donor activity throughout Wednesday Bonus Day. Incentive prizes from GlobalGiving on Bonus Day, however, are considered extra and will not be reflected in your total count towards graduating.  

 

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Please join us in our campaign on Global Giving

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“It was in 2007 when I returned to Japan from Australia and was asked by my friend Richard to play Santa at an orphanage in Hiroo that I first learned that there were orphanages in Japan.

At the same time, I learned that my roommate in college who invited me to Japan in 1989 had his first child and happened to have Down’s Syndrome.

These two things were in the back of my mind when I started my new role at Barclays as COO. I quickly started the Lunch Club where we would invite different speakers to the firm for a lunch with the Operations group.

One of the speakers happened to be Taniguchi-san who had also had a child with Down’s Syndrome and decided to start a support group for families who have children with disABILITIES and to this day the Palette Bakery is running in Shibuya. We will be hosting them in next week at our sponsor COLT’s colleague appreciation day; where people buy cookies and attach notes to express their appreciation for support during the year. At Barclays we sold $7,000 in cookies, in one day.

Later in 2008, Amy and Miho (now YouMeWe board members) had approached me about a summer camp idea for orphans living in Japan. Barclays funded the summer camp Designing Artists Academy (DAA) the first two years.

Over the past ten years through Living Dreams and now YouMeWe, we have been building up the network with the homes in Japan.

While in the beginning it was about a top down approach of offering Digital Citizenship training, we stepped back and decided to look at things from a bottom up perspective.

The staff were very concerned about how the children would find jobs after 18 when they leave the home. At the same time we started learning more about the children’s individual stories. This the reason we started the Career Assessment tests so the children can see what their possibilities are based on their aptitude.

This has helped fuel the programs that YouMeWe are focused on.

The children who are not 100% Japanese and had English in the beginning of their lives but slowly losing it as they are now in a pure Japanese environment.

K-san whose father does not live in Japan and his mother died of cancer now lives at St.Francis much like Y-san who lives at St.Joseph’s lead us to reach out to NightZooKeeper and start the English in the Cloud program. The enthusiasm for this course has been initially good but as children with many programs, they need to be paired with dedicated teachers to keep the enthusiasm and participation up.

T-san who lost his grandmother in the tsunami in Sendai in 2011 and came to one of the homes suffering from nightmares and as soon as we gifted the computers and he was able to focus on the infinite of the software programs, the nightmares stopped and he has recently graduated high school and landed a job programming.

The half Filipino or Indonesian or Bangladeshi child, lead us to start labs in the Philippines, Indonesia as well as Malaysia and now the refugee community center in Greece to eventually connect the kids with children from different parts of the world in preparation to help them become Japanese Language instructors should they wish to do so.

A san who build his own computer from parts and is heavily into coding will join a program in August connecting the elderly with youth to learn IchigoJam coding. In a country with more people over 65 per capita and less under 15 per capita we envision “Obaa-chan” in the cloud as a program that can connect the youth with the elderly and lead to a sustainable job teaching ICT skills, how to SKYPE with their family and order taxis and groceries online using that SmartPhone which still perplexes them.

Recently met with a Waseda MBA class to discuss over 100 ideas that were compiled on how to connect them in the future.

A san is also the reason we recently created a Code Club in Japan to embrace his passion for coding and collaborate with volunteers to bring coding to children as part of their inevitable future which will require it.

When I first arrived in Japan 25 years ago, I did not have a computer or a mobile phone. I cannot even imagine the technology that my own children will use because it has not been invented yet nor can I advise them on what job to focus on as 60% of jobs in the next ten years have not been created yet.

Communication, collaboration and looking at the world holistically is the formula for children’s success in the 21st century and we try to offer all in a creative way at YouMeWe.

With donations, we provide computers where necessary for 18 year olds graduating high school and going on to employment or higher education.

We are focused on rolling out a Robotics course to teach the children as young as possible about skills they may find not only useful but more importantly, employable in their future.

Please join us in our campaign on Global Giving to become a partner with them in helping raise the remaining $4,800 USD from 39 unique donors over the next 17 days until the end of June.

Thank you,

Michael

Link to our project: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/digital-citizens/

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Obaa-chan in the cloud project with Waseda Business School

Cindy, Chee Ming, Michael and Naveen,

 

Just want to say THANK YOU for giving an wonderful opportunity to our students. 

 

Most of them have never done "design thinking" exercise, so I believe they learned a lot --- although it was an extremely condensed version.

 

Hope ideas generated through the exercises gave some insight to Michael.

 

I am enclosing photos we took. Feel free to use/upload the photos if you want!

 

Thank you again, for everything!

 

___________________________________________________________

Hiroshi Kanno

 

Professor
Waseda Business School

(Graduate School of Business and Finance)

Waseda University

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Colt Bike Ride Sponsorship

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The seven Colt Asia riders will join the other 100+ "Colties" to ride 600km distance over 4 days between Milan and Rome. The funds raised through this site will be donated to a charity, "YouMeWe", that works to empower and enhance the lives of children in Japan.

Please donate generously to help make the difference to the lives of those children.

All donors will receive a letter from YouMeWe on behalf of the children they support to thank them for their donation.

Best regards,

Colt Charity Ride Fund Raising Team

@Colt Asia

CLICK HERE TO DONATE:

https://gogetfunding.com/empowering-and-enriching-orphans-in-japan-2/

 

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Career Assessment / Mentoring

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Career Assessment / Mentoring

When children turn 15, we offer career assessment testing so they can recognize their aptitude for certain subject matters, as well as potential developing interests. Test results highlight types of courses they might study in university or technical school, as well as a ranked list of jobs associated with their specific results. We analyze the results and provide guidance on how best to move forward. Would they be interested in an internship opportunity? Do they need counseling on university or technical school options? Or maybe they would like tutoring support in a particular area. The test results set a conversation in motion to help guide children on their future possibilities and the correlating steps that follow these options. Providing kids with several years of preparation and training before they start the job search or university equips them with so much more confidence and experience.

Career Mentoring

Seeking professionals who are willing to be paired with a child (normally 15 years old +) as they look to develop a career path. This includes mapping out a general plan with milestone markers to help them reach their goals. In addition, provide specific training and preparation tools such as interview scenarios, email correspondence etiquette, meeting presentation skills and using software in real-world scenarios (excel spreadsheet, PPT slides, etc.). We require a commitment of a quarterly meeting either at the home or online.  We ask for this commitment to continue until the child reaches the age of 18.

Interested in supporting Career Assessment/Mentoring programs in the future?
We are interested in hearing from companies that are able to offer special internship opportunities to kids who have proven themselves to be dedicated in their academic studies as well as their ability to make a serious commitment towards their future. These internships can help provide real-world experiences that will bring tremendous value to their future career and overall maturity. If you would like to discuss possible internship opportunities, please contact [email protected]

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Press Release:Colt、CSRパートナーYouMeWeの児童養護施設の子どもを サポートするファンドレイジングプロジェクト「IVA C.A.R.E.S.」を支援

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2018年4月 30日

Coltテクノロジーサービス株式会社

ColtCSRパートナーYouMeWeの児童養護施設の子どもを

サポートするファンドレイジングプロジェクト「IVA C.A.R.E.S.」を支援

ColtグループのAPAC部門として法人向け広帯域ネットワークをグローバルで展開するColt テクノロジーサービス株式会社(本社:東京都港区、代表取締役社長、アジアCCO兼アジア代表:日置健二、以下「Colt」)は、2018年のCSRパートナーであり、児童養護施設で育つ子ども達を支援するNPO団体YouMeWeのファンドレイジングプロジェクト、「IVA C.A.R.E.S.(Curiosity, Action, Reflection, Embracing and Sharing)(以下、Iva C.A.R.E.S.)」を応援していることをお知らせします。イギリス人女性イヴァ・メッキ(Iva Mekki)氏が東海道五十三次に立ち寄りながら東京から京都まで歩きファンドレイジングする「IVA C.A.R.E.S.」は、2018年3月20日に東京をスタートし、4月26日に京都に到着しました。

YouMeWeは、東京を拠点に10年以上に渡りNPO(非営利団体)として活動しています。YouMeWeの活動目的は、児童養護施設で育つ子供達を支援し、彼らの大学進学や専門学校への道を手助けする事です。子供達が18歳になり施設を離れなければならない時に、将来安定した職業につき金銭的にも社会人として自立していかれるよう支援しています。

47都道府県を歩いて訪れる計画を立てていたメッキ氏は、YouMeWeのミッションに賛同し、YouMeWeのファンドレイザーとして旅をすることを決めました。本プロジェクトは、東海道五十三次に立ち寄り東京から京都まで歩くことから始まり、児童養護施設を訪問し子ども達からそれぞれ興味のあることを書いた折り鶴を受け取りながら京都に向かいました。旅の様子をブログに掲載し、子どもたちに元気を与えると同時に、YouMeWeのミッションを広め、寄付を募っています。

    

子ども達の好奇心を書いた折り鶴

子ども達の好奇心を書いた折り鶴

イヴァ・メッキ氏

イヴァ・メッキ氏

 

 

 

 

京都に到着するまでの毎日の旅の様子を掲載しているブログは、こちらをご覧ください。

YouMeWeのウェブサイト(日本語) https://www.youmewenpo.org/news/  

イヴァ・メッキ氏のウェブサイト(英語) http://www.ivamekki.com/

本ファンドレイジングプロジェクトの収益は、日本橋・京都間にある児童養護施設をサポートするために使われる予定です。

YouMeWeについて

YouMeWe(創設者:マイケル・クレモンズ(Michael Clemons))は、、東京を拠点に10年以上にわたり児童養護施設で育つ子どもたちをサポートしているNPO団体です。最重要ミッションは 、児童養護施設で育つ子ども達が施設を離れる18歳になった時に、大学や専門学校へ進学や就職ができて経済的に独立するために十分な能力をもつことをサポートする事です。

主に、キャリア形成プログラム、デジタルリテラシープログラム、コミュニケーション(言語・アート)プログラムを通してサポートしています。現在デジタルスキルは働く上で必要なスキル・知識となっていますが、児童養護施設で育つ子どもたちは同年代の子ども達と比べてインターネットへのアクセスが限られており、デジタルスキルの習得をサポートすることは経済的自立の支援に繋がります。

YouMeWeの詳細については、こちらをご覧ください。 https://www.youmewenpo.org/ 

 

Colt について

Coltは、先進的な広帯域ネットワークサービスの提供によって顧客のデジタル・トランスフォーメーションを実現するリーダー企業です。Colt IQ ネットワークは、ヨーロッパ、アジアおよび北米の主要都市にて800以上のデータセンターおよび25,000以上の商用ビル群を接続しており、さらに拡大し続けています。

またColtは、これまでカスタマー・ファーストの理念に基づいてサービスを提供し、大量のデータを扱う企業を中心に、約30ヶ国、200以上の都市に拠点を置くお客様より高い評価を頂いているほか、SDN(Software-Defined Network)とNFV(ネットワーク機能仮想化)分野における革新的かつ先進的な企業としても広く認知されています。

Coltは業界でも安定した財源基盤のもと、競争力の高い価格で最良のカスタマー・エクスペリエンスを提供しています。

詳細についてはColtのウェブサイトをご覧ください。http://www.colt.net/ja

報道関係者からのお問い合わせ先

クレアブ株式会社

ColtテクノロジーサービスPR担当:多田/宮津/寒田

TEL: 03-5404-0640  FAX: 03-5404-7120

E-Mail: [email protected]

Donate
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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Press Release: Colt Supports “IVA C.A.R.E.S.” Fundraising Project for Children in Orphanages with CSR Partner YouMeWe

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Colt Supports “IVA C.A.R.E.S.” Fundraising Project for Children in Orphanages with CSR Partner YouMeWe

Tokyo, 30 April 2018 –Colt Technology Services announced that Colt is supporting the IVA C.A.R.E.S. (Curiosity, Action, Reflection, Embracing and Sharing) fundraising project carried out by the NPO YouMeWe, Colt’s 2018 CSR partner which supports children growing up in orphanages. IVA C.A.R.E.S. is conducting fundraising with Iva Mekki of Great Britain. Iva has traveled the historic Tokaido road, stopping at each of the 53 stations along the way. Starting in Tokyo on March 20, 2018, she made the journey to Kyoto on foot, arriving safely on April 26. 

The group of YouMeWe has been operating out of Tokyo for over a decade and recently formed as a NPO. Their most important mission is to support children growing up in orphanages in order to enable them to advance to university or vocational school, gain employment and gain necessary skills to become economically independent when they leave the facilities at the age of 18.

Ms. Mekki, who plans to walk through all 47 prefectures of Japan, sympathized with the YouMeWe mission and decided to use her journey as a fundraiser for the organization. The Project began with Ms. Mekki departing from Tokyo on foot. On her way to Kyoto, she visited orphanages and collected paper cranes from the children with messages about their interests. Posting the details of her journey on her blog as she went, she provided encouragement to the children she met, all while spreading the mission of YouMeWe and calling for donations.

<Paper cranes with the interests of children>

<Paper cranes with the interests of children>

 

 

 

 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;Ms. Iva Mekki&gt;

    <Ms. Iva Mekki>

 

 

       

 

See the link below for her blog detailing each day of her journey.

YouMeWe website (Japanese)  https://www.youmewenpo.org/news/

Iva Mekki’s website (English)     http://www.ivamekki.com/

 

The funds raised in the project will be used to support orphanages between Nihonbashi and Kyoto as well as our Designing Artists Academy Camp (DAA).

 

About YouMeWe

YouMeWe (Founder: Michael Clemons) is an NPO based in Tokyo that has been supporting children growing up in orphanages for over a decade. Their most important mission is to support children raised in orphanages to enable them to advance to university or vocational school, gain employment and gain necessary skills to become economically independent when they leave the facilities at the age of 18.

YouMeWe primarily provides support through career building programs, digital literacy programs, and communication (language and art) programs. At present, digital skills are essential for modern jobs, but Internet access for children growing up in orphanages is limited compared to other children of the same age. Supporting the acquisition of digital skills will allow these children to have better economic opportunities in the future.

Please see the following link for details on YouMeWe. https://www.youmewenpo.org/  

About Colt
Colt aims to be the leader in enabling customers’ digital transformation through agile and on-demand, high bandwidth solutions. The Colt IQ Network connects over 800 data centers across Europe, Asia, and North America’s largest business hubs, with over 25,000 on net buildings and growing.

Colt has built its reputation on putting customers first. Customers include data-intensive organizations spanning over 200 cities in nearly 30 countries. Colt is a recognized innovator and pioneer in Software Defined Networks (SDN) and Network Function Virtualisation (NFV). Privately owned, Colt is one of the most financially sound companies in its industry and able to provide the best customer experience at a competitive price. For more information, please visit www.colt.net.

Press Contact

Nola Pocock -Director - Global Communications, PR & AR

+447917714377[email protected]

 

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

A very special thanks to Balloon Circus

Connectivity Matters!

From an enquiry email last year to lighting up the faces of dozens and dozens of children at Iwate's Taiyo Gakuen, Sendai Tensien, Fukushima Aiikuen, Shirakawa Gakuen;Tokyo's St.Francis Home, St.Joseph's home, Kiyose Kodomo no ie, Matsubaen; Nagoya's Wakamatsu Ryo and Jiyugakuen.

Crossing oceans, cultures and languages. Laughter and play are the real bridge connecting us all!

http://www.ballooncircus.org

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Iva C.A.R.E.S. reaches Kyoto at the end of your Walk-a-thon...

Just as technology has brought these antique prints alive like those of the 53 Stations of Tokaido, we wish to bring the curiosity of the children alive using technology.

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1+5+16+30+459+600+30,000=Iva C.A.R.E.S.

 

1 person is all it takes at YouMeWe to make a difference and that person is Iva Mekki. She started on a journey from Nihonbashi to Kyoto because she heard that only 5% of the children living in institutional homes have access to WiFi. She learned that only 16% vs the national average of 60% go on to university. She walked.....for 30 days from Nihonbashi to Kyoto along the 53 stations of Tokaido 459 kilometers spreading the word of www.youmewenpo.org  There are over 600 homes in Japan with 30,000 children.

YouMeWe is a NPO to help the children not only gain access to WiFi but once they have access, to take a career assessment test to open up their eyes to the horizon of possibilities in their futures.  We request all children in the homes we have relationships with at 15 years old to take the career assessment test and once completed, we offer English training through www.nightzookeeper.com and are currently in the process of matching them with mentors in the community who can work with them from 15-18 in order to prepare them for a job after they leave high school.

The 53 Stations of the Tōkaidō (東海道五十三次 Tōkaidō Gojūsan-tsugi)The Tōkaidō road, linking the Shogun's capital, Edo, to the imperial one, Kyoto was the main travel and transport artery of old Japan. It was developed during the Edo Period to further st…

The 53 Stations of the Tōkaidō (東海道五十三次 Tōkaidō Gojūsan-tsugi)

The Tōkaidō road, linking the Shogun's capital, Edo, to the imperial one, Kyoto was the main travel and transport artery of old Japan. It was developed during the Edo Period to further strengthen the shogunate control over the whole country.

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Iva Mekki is started her Iva C.A.R.E.S. (Curiousity, Action, Reflection, Embracing and Sharing) 1 year journey across the 47 Prefectures in March 2018.

Starting from watching NHK documentaries with an elderly friend every morning, Iva's deep curiosity of Japan and its people has been sparked and she has now made it a mission to visit every prefecture of Japan by foot.

Along the way, she stopped by homes and spread the news of YouMeWe NPO and collected origami cranes from children with their own curiosities written on it, so that they may be inspired to explore what deeply interests them too. 

Below are origami cranes and curiosities collected from children in Matsubaen homes in Tokyo.

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Her journey started by from the historical Nihonbashi in Tokyo, and followed the Tokaido route to Kyoto, along the famous 53 stations. This trip has brought us to our 10th anniversary of Designing Artists Academy in Summer "The HeART of the city" where we have artists volunteering to teach the children of the homes various art forms over a week and a half.

Our 53 Stations of IOT

In order to scale the DIGITAL CITIZENS program for YouMeWe NPO , we endeavored on a funding campaign along with Iva to raise funds for the orphanages.

With the funds raised we will support the children’s homes between Nihonbashi and Kyoto (or homes in Tokyo and Nagoya) in collaboration with Santa & Friends through the purchase of items or services that they need for the homes, and for our annual DAA Arts Camp.

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Michael Clemons Michael Clemons

Day 33,34,35,36 of Iva C.A.R.E.S. Walk-a-thon to Kyoto

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Yes, you've already heard. I've made it to Kyoto!!!

そうです。もう聞いているかもしれないけれども、とうとう京都に着きました!!!

 

But hey, let's do this chronologically shall we? :)

だけどちょっと待って、ちゃんと時間を遡ってみてみましょう。笑顔

 

Day 33. I woke up in the monk's house. Slept amazingly. While his wife is preparing breakfast, the monk gives me presents: four keychains for my family, some photos of tokaido ukiyoe, a beautiful thread-cover notebook with a tokaido ukiyoe on it and a few prayers inside,  and power stone bracelet.

第33日目。和尚さんの家で目覚める。とても良く眠れた。奥さんが朝ごはんを用意している間、和尚さんがプレゼントをくれる。私の家族の分も含めて4つのキーホルダーと、東海道五十三次の浮世絵の写真、浮世絵の絵が表紙になっていて中に幾つかのお祈りがあるとても綺麗な紐閉じのノートブック、そしてご利益のある石のブレスレット。

 

How so surprising and extremely kind and thoughtful!!!

とても優しくて、びっくりで、とても心が篭っている!!!

 

There was something extra special about his presents too. It was as if he knew exactly what was right for me. From the notebook to the composition of the stones of the bracelet. In some ways, it was more right than I could have known myself...

彼のプレゼントには特に深い意味がある。彼がまるで、私にとって何が一番であるかを知っていたような感じ。ノートブックからブレスレットの型まで。多分、私が自分で理解していた以上に私にとって良いのだと思う。

 

We have breakfast with his son, chat, and then at 9, the husband goes to start his prayers and the son drives me to where they picked me up last evening. As we say goodbye and I thank the wife, she says it was her happiness and that I should return. I'm so touched and wished I could communicate how grateful I am!

彼の息子さんと朝ごはんを食べて、おしゃべりをし、そして9時に、和尚さんはお経を始め、息子さんが昨日迎えてくれたところまで送ってくれた。さよならを言って奥さんにお礼を言うと、私がまた戻るのが彼女の幸せだと言った。とても感動して、どれだけ有り難いかをもっときちんと伝えられればよかったと思った。

 

Tokaido. Back to the tokaido.

東海道だ。また東海道へ戻った。

 

Some days are so magical that it seems like one long dream. Today was such a day. I passed by lush forests, large rivers, ancient trees and shrines, watched turtles climb out of a lake and just chill on a pipeline.

時には、まるで魔法のようで、1つの長い夢かと思う。今日はそんな日だった。深く茂った森の側や、幾つかの大きな川、大昔の木々、幾つかの神社の横を進んだ、亀が湖から出て登ってきてパイプで休むのを見た。

 

Realizing I had crossed into Mie-ken was exciting! Until I heard people talk. They sound so different! An old man asked the usual where/when/whats and then showed me an old house from Meiji period and I had to try really hard to understand his accent!

三重県へちょうど入った事に気がつく! そして人の声が聞こえる。言葉が随分違うように聞こえる!おじいさんがいつものように、何処から来たのか、何時来たのか、何をしているのか、と尋ねた。そして、明治時代からの古い家を見せてくれた。彼の方言を理解しようと私は必死だった!

 

Before the sun sets, a golden light fills the skies and filters through the tree leaves. Everything looks magical in such light.

日が沈む前に、空が黄金色で満たされ、 木々の間を光が刺す。こんな光の中では、全てが魔法のようだ。

 

When the sun sets and darkness takes over, it's me, traditional houses, and the stars. I keep walking. Eventually, I find a place to camp but very desperate for a bathroom and none it sight (the agony!) I dash into a restaurant to use theirs.

日が沈み暗闇が覆う、私と、伝統的な家々、そして星だけになる。歩き続ける。やっとキャンプする場所を見つけるが、トイレに行きたくてしょうがない。どこにも見当たらない。(これは苦痛だ!)私はレストランに走りこんで使わせてもらった。

 

As soon as I walk it, everyone stops and stares. Not the usual split-second stare, but a i-will-indulge-in-a-good-few-seconds stare. Multiple times. I don't mind staring, I understand I am a strange sight in Japan haha, but as I had to compose just enough civility to make it to the bathroom, it was a bit awkward haha.

私が歩くと、皆が止まり私を見る。いつものちょっと見るだけのものじゃない。長い2,3秒かけてじっくり見るやつだ。何度も。見られるのは気にならない。私が日本では珍しいだろうからそれは分かる、笑。しかし、私はトイレまで行く時に、焦っていない雰囲気を出さなければならなかった。とても気まずかった、はは。

 

Camped at the edge of mountains. Little, rough sleep,  but when stars are shining above you, it doesn't really matter.

山の麓でキャンプをした。少し強行の睡眠。しかし星が真上で輝いているし、気にしない。

 

Day 34. Lovely walk, beautiful weather, stunning scenery. The scenery here is perhaps the best so far! Steep climbs through thick trees. Hidden stone shrines. Gushing rivers and little water falls. At one point I find myself stuck on a highway with massive trucks zooming past me (scary!) but then I spot a sakura and all is well (they were fading away in Shizuoka!)

第34日目。気持ちの良い徒歩だ。天気も素晴らしい、目を見張るような景色。ここの景色は今までで一番かもしれない!生い茂った木々の中の急坂を進む。隠れた石の神社が幾つか見つかる。激流の川や瀧。途中で、大通りで何台かの大きなトラックが私の横を駆け抜けて行くので止まらなければならなかった(怖い怖い!)しかし、その後桜を見つけたので、すべては良し。(静岡では桜は段々散っていたんだ!)

 

I nap in a field of grass and wake up to a man speaking. Right before me on the road is a group of Japanese ppl with a guide. And yes, I can smell it off them...fellow tokaido walkers! I joined them for a short while and had a chat then got back to the route alone.

草の畑でひと寝して、男の人が話すのに目を覚ます。私の前の道には、ガイドさんと一緒の日本人のグループがいる。そして、そう、私には分かる、、、同じ東海道五十三次を歩く仲間達だ!彼らと少し一緒に歩き、おしゃべりをして、また独りルートへ戻る。

 

An old lady shows me around a tokaido musuem (note: while I struggle to understand her accent!) and at last, even though nature is by far by favourite scenery, I am glad to make it to a town with a shopping mall. Food. Laundry. And a massive park to camp in. Exhausted, I fall asleep at 9pm.

お婆さんが東海道五十三次の博物館を案内してくれる。(注:私の方は、彼女の方言を理解しようと一生懸命!)そして、ついに、私は自然が断然に好きな景色だけれども、商店街のある町に着いたのは嬉しい。食事、洗濯。そしてキャンプのできる大きな公園。ヘトヘトで、9時に寝てしまう。

 

I wake up to a horrible feeling in my gut. It's 12:30 am. The park is empty and the lights are all out. I look around, see nothing, hear nothing. But the horrible feeling stays. I continue peering in the darkness and finally see something: in the far distance,  two men are walking towards me.

何か妙な悪い感覚に目が覚める。朝の0:30分だ。公園には誰も居なく、明かりも消えている。見回しても何も無い、聞こえない。しかしなにか悪い予感がする。暗闇をずっと見つめていると、やっと何かが見える。ずっと遠くに、二人の男の人が私の方へ歩いてくる。

 

Without delay, as quietly as I can, I slip my trainers on, leave my backpack but take my small bag with valuables, and walk away, quickly.

遅れを取らず、できるだけ早く、トレーナーを着て、リュックを置いたまま、貴重品の入った小さな袋だけ持って歩く。なるべく早く。

 

I look back. They are still following me. I run up a slope and see a single car parked with its lights on. Perhaps it's their's?  I avoid and look back again and see them again.

後ろを振り返る。彼らはまだ追っかけてくる。坂まで走って一台の車が光が着いたまま止まっているのを見つける。もしかしたら、彼らのかな?車を避けて後ろを見る。まだ彼らが見える。

 

I dash for the main road and speed down at a maintainable speed. Finally, I see a girl walking on the road and feel much better. I look behind me again but they aren't there. They hadn't followed. I make it to a konbini,  dear konbini, and get a coffee and call my best friend.

大通りまで走って、歩けるスピードまでゆっくりにした。やっと、1人の女の人が道を歩いているのを見つけてかなり安心する。後ろをまた振り向くと彼らは居ない。追っかけては来なかった。コンビニについて、おおコンビニよ、コーヒーを買って親友に電話をする。

 

"You know you can't camp anymore, right?"

"Yes, I know"

“キャンプはしてはいけないって事は分かってるでしょ?”

“分かってる。”
 

I stay at the konbini until sunrise (so glad they didn't kick me out) and then go back to get my backpack. My things are scattered everywhere. Was it the two men or a bird? Only reason I question is because my container of kimchi is ripped open haha.

朝日がでるまでコンビニに居座る(店員さんに追い出されなくて良かった)そして、リュックを取りに戻る。荷物はあちこちに散らばっていた。さっきの男の人達かそれとも鳥か? 何故なら、キムチの入れ物が開けられていたからだ、はは。

 

For some reason, when the incident happened I didn't feel fearful. More focused. Even after the event. But the next day, the fear and anger at myself kicked in...but writing this now.is giving me the creeps again, so enough of that :)

それ以来何故か私は怖がらなくなった。より旅に気持ちが集中するようになった。その後も。しかし、次の日、恐怖と怒りがまた出てくる、しかし今はこれを書いているだけだ。けれどもそれがまた怖さをまた呼び戻す、もういやだ。笑顔

 

Day 35. I spend the day reading/talking to my friend, not walking. I needed it. And yes, stayed the night in accommodation.

第35日目。本を読み、友達と話し、今日は一日歩かない。私には必要だった。そう、ホテルで泊まり。

 

Day 36. Checking my gps, it's only 38km to Kyoto! Ready to walk again, I head off before sunrise. Highways, old houses, fairly new houses but generally a late 80s feel to everything. I'm in Shiga-ken already! At one point I hear a girl speaking and wonder what Asian language she is speaking. It's not Chinese or Korean, but wait, I catch a few Japanese words!

第36日目。GPSを見ると、あともう38キロで京都だ!また歩ける、朝日の前に出発する。大通り、古い家々、かなり新しい家々、しかしそれらも大概80年台の感じがする。もう滋賀県だ!途中、女性が話しているのが聞こえる。どんなアジアの言葉を話しているのだろうと考える。中国語や韓国語ではない。しかし待てよ、日本語の単語が聞こえる!

 

What???

何だぁ???

 

I tune into what everyone else is saying and laugh to myself. Hello, Kansai accent (how are they even speaking Japanese, it sounds too different!!!)

一緒にいる人が言っている言葉にも耳を澄ませて、私は自分にたいして笑ってしまう。関西弁こんにちは(彼らは一体どうやって?本当に同じ日本語なの? 全然違って聞こえるよ!!!)

 

At one point I sit by a shopping mall eating lunch and an old lady starts to speak to me. I stare at her and understand nothing haha! Goodbye (for now), chatting-up-old-women!

途中、商店街で座ってお昼を食べていると、お婆さんが話しかけてきた。私も彼女を見つめるのだが何を言っているか分からない、はは!(今は)さようなら、おしゃべり好きのおばあさん達!

 

The walk is long, very long. It's the 1st time I've done 38km in a day and it's raining, but Kyoto is in reach. I have to make it. Just seeing it so close on my gps gives me goosebumps.

今日はかなりの距離だ、とても長い。38キロを一日で歩くのは初めてだ。しかも雨が降っている。しかし京都はもう目の前だ。今日辿り着かなければ。GPSで、京都がそんなに間近なのを見るだけで鳥肌が立つ。

 

It's been just over a month, but it's felt like half a year. The nature I have experienced,  the people I have met, the things I have learnt...as I walk by thinking of all of it, all I feel is immense gratitude. There were ups and downs, there was bordem and ecstacy,  but for all of it, I feel so blessed. Thank you a hundred times, Japan :)

東海道を歩きだして、ちょうど1ヶ月ちょっと経った。しかしまるで半年のように感じる。色々と味わった自然、会った人々、学んだ事、歩きながら全てを考える。今は深い感謝しか感じられない。楽しかった事も大変な事もあった。退屈な時も有頂天の時もあった。しかし、全ては、私はとても恵まれていると感じる。100回ありがとう、日本よ、笑。

 

The excitement/gratitude fades as I continue walking and walking (and walking) Amidst swelling and wet feet, blisters return to keep things lively ;) Past lake Biwa, Kyoto is so close but every step feels longer.

ひたすら歩くにつれて(さらに歩いて)、気持ちの高まりや感謝の気持ちもおさまる。膨れて蒸れた足の中で、足のマメが戻ってきて騒がしくする、笑。琵琶湖を越え、京都は近い、しかし一歩一歩が長く感じる。

 

Finally, as night falls, I spot a tall building. I check my gps. I'm in Kyoto!!! Still having a few km left before the Tokaido finishes, I rush past highways with music in my ears. As I walk by busy streets, shop fronts, tourists, Michael Jackson's smooth criminal comes on. I must look like a baffoon with my massive grin and little dances as I walk!

ようやく、夜になる。建物を見つける。GPSを見る。 京都だ!!!   東海道の終わりまではまだ2,3キロある。音楽を耳に、大通りを越え急ぐ。混んでいる通りを進むと、お店や観光客。 マイケル・ジャクソンのスムーズ・クリミナルが始まる。私が、大きな笑顔でニヤニヤとして、少し踊りながら歩いたので、多分周りからは、かなり変な人に見えたに違いない。

 

At 9 am, the tokaido ends on a bridge near Sanjo station. I expected to feel relief or joy, but I didn't. Instead, I felt a simple contentment.

夜9時に、三条駅の側の橋で東海道が終わる。安心と喜びを期待していたのだが、感じなかった。代わりに、単純な満足を感じた。

 

As I stand on the bridge, looking out to the river, a starbucks latte in hand to celebrate, there is a small smile on my lips. I wonder how many people have stood right here, and what thoughts, dreams, hopes they had as they looked on the rippling reflection of lights in the water. As I sip on my drink, I wonder what journey lays ahead of me...where will these forces that I feel so strongly in Japan, forces from people in the past and present and future, from the trees and rivers and soil and stars, from a glint in a person's eye to the way a spider's web shimmers in the setting sun, forces that have stirred something wordless, formless deep inside of me..where will they take me?

橋の上に立って、川を見つめる。手にはスターバックスのラテでお祝い。口元には小さな笑み。私は、ここにどれくらい沢山の人が立っただろうと考える、そして彼らがどんな考えや、夢、希望を持って、この川の波打つ表面に映しだされるものを見たのだろう。コーヒーを飲みながら、これからどのような旅が私を待ち構えているかを考える。日本で感じる強い何かの力、過去・現在・未来の人々から感じる強い力、木々や川、土、星々、人の目に光る輝きから夕暮れにキラキラ光る蜘蛛の巣まで、言葉にならない何かを刺激するような力、形も無く私の奥に眠る力。それらは何処へ私をつれていくのだろう?

 

I snap a quick photo for this post, and leave for my room in Osaka...

ブログの為に一枚の写真をとり、大阪の部屋へ向かう。

 

PS. Thank you everyone for joining my journey in spirit, for your support and cheer leading. Thank you Michael for birthing the idea of the Tokaido, for giving me a cause to pursue, and for always being there :) thank you Hide for all your translations which have let many others join the journey, and for your ongoing well-wishing :)

あとがき。私の旅へ一緒に(心で)同行してくれた皆さんありがとう。皆の協力と励ましもありがとう。マイケル、東海道五十三次というアイデアを教えてくれてありがとう、追求する目的をくれ、そしていつも支えてくれた、笑顔、ヒデ、ありがとう。翻訳をしてくれて他の沢山の人が私の旅へ一緒になることができ、常に励ましてくれた。笑顔。

 

To all of you, I bow.

皆さんへ、おじぎをします。

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