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On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. 6.5 million persons became refugees, 90% of the total displaced persons are women and children.
Wish International, a Japanese non-profit organization, started a piggy bank project for Ukrainian children and families in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. They made a call for well-wishers to volunteer and join in the project that would help in fundraising for the Ukrainian victims.
Takanori Nishikori and his wife are a newly married couple and who live in Okinawa prefecture, Japan got interested in the volunteer opportunity.
“At first I could not imagine what kind of project it would be, but after hearing about the specifics and significance of the project during the orientation session, I decided to participate in the projects,” she said. She and her husband mutually agreed to volunteer.
“First, we made a piggy bank.” he shared.
During the project, the couple made time to think about the situation in Ukraine and what more they could do to make the world a better place. It was a call for the duo and other volunteers to reflect on the saying that ‘peace starts with you’.
“I learnt that there are many different kinds of volunteers and opportunities to do so. Fundraising is an easy and immediate way to help,” he added.
It is a lesson to us that even ordinary people like you and I can make a difference through simple actions. Thinking about other people around us who may be neglected and caring for them is a great step towards promoting world peace. As disagreements are always bound to happen, it is how we handle them that matters. It is therefore important to think of those who lose to us in such situations and endeavor to make peace with them. If you have such a heartwarming Sunshine Family Volunteer story to share or your family wants to start such a project, email younshim.park@globalpeacewomen.org.