I like setting plans and goals. I have been interested in social medicine and the plan for this year was to see and join a lot of activities on social medicine. That is why I applied for this fellowship. When I was fortunately selected as one of the members of the fellowship of Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation, I decided to set plans on what I would like to focus on and learn from a variety of experiences on this tour.

　

The first goal was to see how maternal and child health is dealt with and how the programs are put into practice in the Philippines. I have been interested in maternal and child health since I was a 4^th year student and have done studies on induced abortions in Japan and worldwide. At that time I realized that problems on the same issue differ from country to country because of the surrounding conditions, such as hygiene, culture, religion, and law and policy. Health of any person should be maintained regardless of the surrounding conditions. However, there are a lot of women of reproductive age who die of sepsis due to deliveries under insanitation or illegal abortions where induced abortions are prohibited by law or simply not accepted. That is why I became strongly interested in maternal and child health.

　

In the Philippines induced abortions are not accepted mainly because of religious reasons. But it is a fact that having too many children is a big problem. In order to keep mothers and children healthy, what can be done there is to educate mothers the way of contraception, family planning, as well as feeding their children. As far as the first two things go, education seemed effective. The project by JICA that we saw put emphasis on health education, and we were given lectures on the present situations of contraception and family planning and actually saw how community health workers teach the mothers by showing pictures of directions to them. As for their feeding program for malnourished infants, it disappointed me to see that the recipes were not based on the proper nutrition balance and there may be much more to be desired, but it was the first time for me to actually see where the implementation of concrete measures is being taken and it was a meaningful expenence.

　

The second goal was to know what kind of ability and personality is suitable and needed to work in international organizations. In order to know that, I tried to ask questions as much as possible after receiving lectures from many specialists. I asked questions not because I wanted to know the methods themselves but because I wanted to know the attitudes toward making strategies or solving the problems or how they construct the logics. I also tried to ask questions to myself and have my own answers for my practice. The answers of the lecturers were almost always clear and very understandable. I learned that logics and the ability to give a clear view to listeners are important and essential in order to work in international organization because it is necessary to persuade a lot of people with different culture and backgrounds.

　

The third goal was to enjoy and share a fruitful time with the members. I tried to establish my role within this group. It was because I thought it would be easier to devote myself to what I was interested in and what I was good at, and easier for the other members to treat me. I mentioned my interests above and I was (trying to be) good at asking questions to the others. By trying to do it, I also got to know the other members' characters and their roles within the group. Each member was very attractive with his/her own opinion and at the same time, interestingly, each one of them was also very cooperative. I realized that this third goal was not necessary to become in good terms with them. Everyone naturally knew the secrets of how to keep a good relation with one another. I was able to satisfy my interest fully and fulfill my role without certain effort.

　

This is how my goals were attained. The unplanned and unexpected realization was that I really recognized that the process of thinking and perspectives towards the same thing differ from person to person. And that is why cooperation is important. If not with these 14 members, I wouldn't have been able to stop to think about the importance of cooperation so much. In order to keep good cooperation, you need to listen to others, stand in their positions, and accept them. Of course having your own opinion is very important, but with it only, things will never succeed. I think it interesting that the biggest thing I got from this experience seems to be something I can learn from daily life but I was able to become aware of it only through this fellowship.

　

At last I'd like to appreciate all the people I met and all the people that supported us.

　

My motivation in applying to this fellowship was a little thing. I wanted to see the lives of people in a developing country and to know what international health care is. I have had opportunities to talk with people involved in international health care. I was moved to see their energy towards it. I didn't know why, but I felt an admiration for them.

　

Since I live in Hiroshima, I think a lot about peace and war. There are continuous wars, terrorism and conflicts in many places of the world, which bring people there deep sorrow and despair. They have no choice of where they live. It is sure that wars and conflicts damage people's health. I think that a medical practitioner, whose task is to help people pursue their health, has a responsibility to appeal world peace. And I also think that the importance of a medical practitioners lies in the fact that their positions are not bounded by the walls of politics nor religion. But an appeal itself will not get the visible results. Therefore my interest became international health care, which seemed to be able to help people more practically. That is why I came to the Philippines with a hope to understand what international health care is.

　

"Why do we want to be engaged in international cooperation?" I started with that question. I had another question to which I have no perfect answer yet - "why do we want to go abroad regardless of the situation in our country, Japan, with many serious problems to solve?" Actually it is just a matter of course for some doctors go to places where they are needed, whether it is inside or outside of their own country, because it is their obligation to secure people's health. And it is justifiable that there are organizations dealing with problems in the world that a county cannot solve on its own. The ways and the places to perform a doctors' duties are various, and each of them is necessary and plays an important and dispensable part "Have a personality and know your personality" is what Dr. Omi told us and it made me notice the vast world and the small existence of myself. This world is complex, and it can be changed by one person alone. Such a natural fact solved my questions. What should be considered is not what I should do but what I can do.

　

International cooperation often involves the providing nation's intentions or interests. Therefore, I often thought that the motivation underneath is not "pure". But I learned to accept it because it is a fact that the very real society consists of diverse factors with their own positions and roles. Even though there are always limitations or boundaries as to whatever we do, it is possible for us to perform our role within the given limits and to be able to do so is the ability that is sought in us.

　

This 11 days program taught me more things than I ever expected. The biggest achievement for me is the friendship with the fellow members who went to the Philippines together. I had such a precious time discussing many issues, talking overnight and sharing experiences with them. I hope to keep in close touch with each other and learn many more things from them hereafter as much as I did during this journey. And I believe that we can do that.

　

Lastly, I would like to express my thanks to Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation for giving me this wonderful chance to attend this program, staffs of WHO, JICA and so on for teaching us so many things, Dr. Yatsuya and Ms. Izumi for taking care of us, and everyone who supported this program. I hope this program will continue with great success in future.

　

Right after the end of the soccer competition, I joined this program. It seemed like I had already used up both my body and brain energy so I felt almost dead by then. Oh---how stupid I was!! I really have no capacity!

　

But I wanted to come up with my own conclusion of my experience (of course, in my own idiotic way). On the last day before our departure to Japan, one word from Dr. Barua made me think I could make a conclusion in my own way, like this. This is also my final conclusion from this program, which also was an answer to the topics that I and my 13 members discussed about every night in the Philippines...how we became interested in international aid?...what is happiness?...My conclusion is that the words "encounter" and "connection" among people that Dr. Barua talked about in his lecture, are the very elements of life to many people as well as my own.

　

In this program, I saw and heard a lot of things. I also met a lot of people. For me, "to meet", seems to be the most important matter. During the program in Japan for the first two days, I had an opportunity to get to know a lot of professors of many different academic fields. Usually, it is difficult to get to know such person as Prof. Kenzo Kiikuni. During these two orientation days in Tokyo, I also met a lot of friends who gathered from all over Japan to join the program. Moreover, in the Philippines, I got to know staffs from WHO, JICA, NGOs, as well as students from UP, staffs at the health centers, many children, hotel staffs, our friendly driver, and many many more. Last but most important, I met friends who joined with me throughout the 11 days of the program. They are Dr. Yatsuya, Ms. Izumi, Itojun, Keita, Shun, Gen, Takki, Toby, Ayachan, Chikochan, Naochan, Babie, Ayumichan, Misaki and Takadan.

　

At the Tamazenshoen Sanatarium in Tokyo where we visited on the second day of the program, I sneaked into their public bath. There, naked, I talked a lot with the people who live there. I was overwhelmed with the power of Ms. Anada, who guided us to Smoky Mountain in Tondo. I wish I could be like her someday! I played with the children from the Smoky Mountain area. I will never forget the beautiful eyes for all my life! I was happy to see the young-at-heart and cheerful patients at the Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital. The powerful speech by Dr. Omi will certainly be an inspiration to my life. I listed to the stories of Dr. Kasai, Dr. Inoue and Dr. Takashima just like a child listening to adventure stories. I thought that it would be great if I could work in WHO. I also talked with Bal, the driver. The lecture by Dr. Barua was also very impressive. That's great! Real cool ! This could be an example of how to live my life. Each day, each night, I talked with Dr. Yatsuya, Ms. Izumi and my 13 friends. All the topics were quite hot!!! Guys, let's talk again sometime!

　

All of these people, before I joined this program, were total strangers, but perhaps we were destined to meet, and now we are connected. May I conclude that this was the most meaningful and the happiest thing that I ever gained through this program? I felt very happy to know all of them, and how unhappy my life would have been if I did not get to know them. It would be very sad, you bet.

　

Getting to know people and to be connected to them makes me happy. In short, if this did not happen to me, I would be very unhappy. My humanity exists in that "connection". If "connection" expands, I will be even happier. Therefore, let's be connected much more. I am sure that we can connect to those people, which we don't even know at all as of now. Someday, I would like to feel the whole world as connected as one.

　

If "connecting" to people means happiness, then we should not consider happiness to be only for ourselves, but that happiness is for everyone. If someone connected is unhappy, we are unhappy too. For our own, and for everyone's sake, it is only natural to help those unhappy ones.

　

This is what I learned from this program. And I know this is a childish conclusion. Someday, a day will come that I will realize that things are not so simple like this, but I tried very hard to make a conclusion, and this is it, in my own idiotic way. However, I will treasure the conuection all throughout my life.

　

At last, I would like to appreciate all the people I was able to be connected with.