Alexander and family with Lauren & Hikaru
Showing kindness is a choice. People would prefer to be treated this way but it does not always happen. Kindness is defined as the quality or state of being friendly, generous, and warm-hearted. After spending 19 days here in Zambezi, it has become difficult to reflect on my experience without mentioning the kindness I have observed here.
It started the moment we got off the bush planes. We were welcomed with beautiful singing and dancing. Children were asking if we needed help carrying our bags even before they knew our names. Over the course of our stay, we have been greeted countless times from those who acknowledge our presence. After becoming more comfortable with the neighborhood, I have been invited to see inside homes, carry their newborn child, or simply call me over to talk. Within minutes of human interaction, I am able to learn something new about this culture, their life, or have an opportunity to share what America is like. These moments are so powerful; it brings me closer to the Zambian culture and allows me to be in the moment with them.
I am often asked for material goods such as a pen, shoes, or my bracelet. It has been difficult to carry these conversations and it occurs not only with children but with adults as well. It is difficult to say no to give my pen when some have given me so much. Their presence has been the best present. My hope is that this feeling is mutual. Although I do not have enough things to give to every child that stands outside our fence, I hope my presence has been a present to them. Through conversations, strangers have become friends and I have grown to be more comfortable with talking to people I do not know. The unexpected conversations are the ones I find myself fully engaged in. Sometimes, the sun has set by the time I realize how long I have been talking. This weekend, we had the opportunity to be fully immersed into the Zambian culture. We home stayed with a member from the church. Lauren and I were hosted by a teacher from the local school, Alexander. He and his family welcomed us with open arms. The kindness received from Alexander and his family is something I will never forget. Last weekend, we spent a night in a town called Dipalata. It was a reality check when we saw the children in Dipalata more malnourished than the children we developed relationships with in Zambezi. Yet, the group was welcomed with prepared meals and it was evident that the people of Dipalata were giving us all they have. This generosity speaks for the kindness in their hearts and will not be forgotten.
My challenge is to always remember this appreciation I have received and return this act to someone else. I want to continue to live in this spirit of sharing kindness even after my departure. Although I may forget the exact conversations I have here, I will never forget how these interactions made me feel. The warm greetings of “mwane” on the street, the laughs I’ve shared with strangers and how at home I have grown to feel in Zambezi will stay with me for ever. I have come to realize that people make life possible. In uncomfortable situations, people have the ability to make others feel comfortable through smiles, handshakes, and even a simple “chindele,” screamed by many children here which means white person. The presence of people shapes our world. By being kind, friendly, generous, and warm-hearted, we are able to stand as one with another person even just for a moment. This is a lesson I want to take back with me to the US.
I challenge you to do the same; give a stranger your time or greet someone on the street. These interactions that we all are capable of will begin a wave of the kindness that the world needs.
Hikaru Yamaguchi, Class of 2014
PS. Mom, Dad, Haruka, and Nagisa- Genki?! I miss you all so much and cannot wait to see you! Mom- Tanjyoubi Omedetou! Hayaku nihonshoku tabetaina! Daisukidayo Pepper ni 4649 J
PPS. Judith- Happy almost birthday! I cannot wait to drop whales, go on night drives, and see you! Hans- Gahhh! I miss my 5 flights of stairs so that I can rest on the 4th and come see you! I love you more than 1D! To the both of you- Thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping up with the blog and leaving comments. BFFizzles! I truly enjoy hearing from you and bring tears to my eyes in the morning when we read the comments. I miss and love you both so much!
PPPS. To all who have been reading this blog- hugs and thank you. We truly enjoy hearing from you and look forward to the comments every morning over breakfast. It’s just as exciting as Tyra Mail so thank you!
Dear Hikaru,
Your words are a wonderful way to start my day here in Chicago – thanks! I imagine that the children you’ve met will always remember you not because you didn’t give them a pen, but because you gave them your heart. And I accept your challenge to be a kinder, more giving person. Even in Chicago, it takes a village.
Best to you,
Ann (Paige’s mom)
Hi baby!
Hikaru,
I enjoyed your post. What a special gift to be invited to stay in Alexander’s home. That is a beautiful picture of you and Lauren. I loved what you said about life and that people showing love through smiles, handshakes, and kindness is what is most important. Share that love of life wherever you go and you will be happy and loved in return.
Enjoy the falls and the safari. Give Katie a hug for me.
Marlene (Katie’s mom)
Great post Hikkaaruu! I hope you are having amazing time working in the beautiful Chilena Basic School. Kindness is a choice and to live with that real love not only brings joy to those you are kind to but it also brings out the best in yourself when you are capable of putting down your walls and truly being human. In other news Matt eastman told me that he played monopoly deal for 8 hours straight the other day while “working.” That’s living! Well I gotta go but Thanks for this Hikaru. Im thinking of you and the rest of the group. Savor every momeny with thr Zambians and those in your group.
Peace and love,
Kurt guenther
Hikaru, you should know before you read my comment that it will be WAY more exciting than Tyra Mail 🙂 Thank you for sharing your thoughts, they are beautiful and so very true. How different our world could be if we all chose kindness each day… And, it looks like you and Lauren got your hair done, too, which I am pretty jealous of right now! Lots of love to you all!
Hikkkksss!!!!! I knew this would be your post after I saw the picture of you and Lauren 🙂 FINALLY! hehe (You both look beautiful by the way!) What an amazing entry. I just read it out loud to mom, and she summed it it up quite perfectly with constant head nods, yes and a final SO TRUE. You’ve captured so beautifully what truly connects us to one another, breaks down barriers of preconception and ultimately unites us, kindness. And though you hope to take this lesson with you, what I am truly inspired by is the fact that you already live your life like this Hiks. You are truly fearless, always willing to strike up conversation, show someone a smile or say hello to a stranger. Your experience in Zambia it seems has merely solidified qualities you embody and made tangible the necessity of compassion you live out on an every day basis 🙂 I am so proud of you and all that you have experienced. And more than anything I am proud to call you one of bests. Thank you for the entry (it was so worth the wait!) and came at such a good time! I love you so much!!!
Lovee always and forever,
Hans
Hikaru,
It’s hard to believe you and your team have only one more week in africa Tah\hanks to you and all the kids who have shared a little bit of their day with us. Big hug to you all
Hikaru,
I was thinking of you this morning and remembered that there was a blog that we can get on. So I mosey on my computer and start searching for it and the first thing I come across is yours-and how wonderfully written was that! I am so very proud of you and all that you are doing. Your blog was beautiful and inspiring and I am filled with delight that your experience is so unique and eye opening. What an amazing experience! When you come back, after settling in and spending family time, I want to hear about it all or maybe have a skype date and you can help open my own eyes to what you experienced. I miss you so much girl, you are loved so dearly Hikaru.
Ps. I HAVE A HOUSE!!!!! and you are invited for a meal when you get into Spokane! I can NOT wait to see you as well as show you!!
FINALLLYYY oh my gosh I don’t know how many times I wondered when I would be able to come this page and read a post written by you!
I am seriously crying as I read this post at work and I probably look like a fool hahaha… 😛 I can totally hear your voice through this post though and I love it! Ah, there is so much I want to say but firstly, I sense such a common revelation and understanding through all of the posts on this page and that is that each of you are so blown away by the kindness of the Zambezi people. Just reading about it inspires me and I wish I could experience it firsthand. To think that you, one of the most legit and warm-hearted people that I know, is inspired by the people of Zambezi helps me realize just HOW generous and beautiful THEIR hearts must be. I honestly love how you and everyone in your group is building up such meaningful relationships with the people there. It must be hard, with the cultural differences and limited time and all, but the fact that you put that aside and so willingly desire to learn from each other.. that is really the greatest thing that you can take away from this entire experience. It’s not the schedule or teaching or lesson plans that stick with you all, it’s the spontaneous conversations and deep relationships that you have built.
And as much of a blessing these people of Zambezi may have been for you, don’t forget that YOU yourself are a blessing too. To those around you in the U.S. and I’m sure to those that you have encountered in Zambezi as well. Through the effort you put into spending time with the people of Zambezi, I believe that you are shattering any stereotypes that there may be of Americans. Because each of you genuinely desire to know them as individuals, hear their stories, and share pieces of your life together and through that, both groups are able to leave with a deeper feeling of connection and intimacy with the other. So I really really thank you and all your group members for that, and I’m so glad that it’s people like you guys that are representing America in that foreign country. Don’t underestimate how big of an impact YOU are having on THEIR life as well!
I can’t wait to hear all of these stories in-person and dalkg;dsgdsg can’t wait until you are back in the Bay 🙂 Have an amazing (and safe) rest of your stay in Zambezi! Miss you lots!
By the way.. new hairdo?!? Haha I love it, you are seriously taking in all that Zambezi has to offer aren’t ya.
Hikaru,
What a beautiful post (and lovely picture) Your smiling faces warm my heart! This post really reflects who each of you are, you certainly would not be where you are without being the giving souls each of you are. Your warmth, smiles and humility in all your blogs paint the picture of both the love you are giving and the gifts you are each receiving. They make me think about how I treat every person every day, I take your challenge seriously and hope and pray you all bring that challenge back to all of your friends and family at home. Keep sharing your growth and beauty with all of us! Such inspiration has come from each of you every day!! Joe, I didn’t get a chance to comment on your post and your awesome haircut!! Beautifully written and the picture of you reading to those children stole my heart 🙂 I am counting the days until I see you all in London….one week from TODAY!! Savor each moment you have left on this journey and remember to fit it all in your backpack.
Love, Kim (The Stalker has returned after taking a few days off to make you wonder where I went 😉
P.S. Lauren Love what a wonderful picture….I almost didnt recognize you with your sweet hairdo! LOVE IT!! (Remember the braids you got on our cruise to Mexico…that story makes me laugh, I’ll remind you if you forgot about it:) Love you to the moon and back xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
I LOVE YOUU.
YOKU GANBATE NAGAKU KAKETANE.
DAISUKIDAYO
NAGIO
Hikaru,
Looks so happy and healthy. You learning and have luving from them many.
Tell me all you feel and exprienced when you back.
We all The Yamaguchi family wishing your safe trip and come back safely.
See you soon and enjoy rest of day.
DAD
Hey sis!! So glad I finally got to read your adventure!! Knowing you, I can clearly understand how you truly appreciate the kindness you have been recieving, and how you strongly feel about giving back. You are a one of the sweetest girl and I can already see the extended growth, shine, and aspirations in you. I’m so happy you get to experience such beauty in the town miles and miles away from San Francisco, and proceed life with unforgettable memory, laughter, and leaning.
Gambare P-chan!!! We all love you!!
Ps. After ur experience, maybe u can b more nice to piggy pepper and me. Lol
&& you are a extremely kind person for being so thoughtful and sign up to write this blog on our mom’s birthday. She appreciated it:)
Hey Hikaru!
Hisashiburi! Just wanted to drop by and tell you your post is so heartwarming and so “P-chan rashii”! (Japanglish ftw haha) You are one of the nicest person I know, and always able to put a smile on everyone’s faces, regardless the situation! I’m positive that’s why Alexander and his family, and the rest of the people you met at Zambezi shared their kindness with you too. It really doesn’t matter what gender or race you are to become friends – the essential key to having a successful relationship with others is in fact kindness. Your post encouraged me to be more open and share kindness with everyone and anyone. It’s amazing how you’re experiencing a different culture first-hand! Enjoy the rest of your stay there! I’m planning on coming back in August so hope to have lunch with you and others again! Plus T-pumps! 🙂
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Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this
is magnificent blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.