Have you ever thought about the importance of a hundred yen? I think many Japanese waste too much money. Not all countries in the world are rich countries. If each of us saves only a hundred yen, we can help many kids in poor countries. A month ago, I saw a program about it on television. I was really moved to tears by this TV program, and I felt their problems immediately. A hundred coin has a great weight and power. So, if you would think about it, these children must be really happy and appreciate you.
In fact, there are volunteers, fund-raising and other campaigns in the world. Do you know of any? For example, Volvic (mineral water) had a campaign. It was called “1 liter for 10 liters”. African children were given 10 liters of mineral water for each 1 liter of sales by Volvic. In addition, you can aid education in many foreign countries. For example, in Bangladesh, they can buy fourteen pencils or a child can study in after-school classes for twelve days if they have one hundred yen. And in Thailand, they can stock twelve ball-point pens, ten notebooks, two dozen of color pencils and pencils each. But we can give money not only to education, but also for medical services. For example, an undernourished child can go into hospital for a day in Burkina-Faso. And in Nepal, they can supply fourteen vaccines and four safety delivery kits. Thus, we can support them in various ways. A hundred yen may be tiny for us, but it is very valuable in the world. “Just a coin, but a coin”.
When I watched the special program on television, I gasped with surprise. One girl didn’t know water is clear because she always drunk only muddy, unsanitary water with rainwater, bugs and elephant dung in it. It’s too terrible!!! At that time, some Japanese decided to make a well and would like to let her drink clear water. However, in order to make it, they need a lot of money because making of a well is expensive. How did they solve the problem? It’s very simple. There are many volunteers in Japan. Some elementary school students contributed a coin each for making a well in Africa. If a hundred people each gave a hundred yen, they can gather a ten thousand yen. It’s amazing!! Please remember that when people work together to solve problems, any can be solved.
Japan is one of the safer and more convenient countries. Therefore, we sometimes forget the value of a hundred yen. When I was a pupil, I thought hard about how to buy as many cheap sweets as possible with a hundred yen. Perhaps you also experienced something like this. I suppose that we never forget the importance of a coin. Many of us adults may need a more supple mind. If you save a hundred yen everyday for a month, you can accumulate money which is about three thousand yen. As the saying goes, “Little and often fills the purse”. In the future, I hope it’s normal for everybody to save money and contribute to helping others. The education and environment of poor countries must be changed. We must not forget the importance of a coin to form a peaceful world. After all “a coin is important!!!” Don’t forget, your coin can save poor children from suffering.
