Esteemed delegates of the Neighbors Abroad Association, officers and members of the Giants Club, scholars, our dedicated librarian, and guests, good morning!

I am Engil Bert Potente, former scholar and works as a state auditor in the Commission on Audit (COA). Currently, I am the Audit Team Lead of 2 presidential arms of the government, the Presidential Management Staff and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office. Both Agencies are essential in the delivery of key results area of the President.
I stand before you today not only as a proud product of this scholarship program, but as a living testament of what genuine support and shared advocacy can do for someone who once had no clear path forward. I come from a humble background – a son of a skilled heavy equipment operator and a devoted housewife, raised among eight siblings, six of whom were still in school at the time. Like many families in similar situations, we knew what it meant to stretch every peso. My dreams were big, but our resources were small, and at one point, there was no certainty what the future would hold for me.
I was a consistent scholarship grantee throughout my studies, from elementary to college. All of which we didn’t know existed and possible. I had not even heard of the Giants Club and the Neighbors Abroad Association or this scholarship program until my mother – through a conversation with a friend – learned of an opportunity that would eventually change my life. With a semestral stipend of ₱5,000, it may not have been much for someone enrolled in a private school, let alone someone dreaming to take a licensure examination after graduation.

There were days I would go to school unsure of how I would afford the ride home. Sometimes, I had to choose between fare and food – and went without the latter. And there were times I was tested academically. There were even many moments I doubted my choice of study – thinking perhaps if I had taken a less expensive course, life could have been easier. And yet, I kept going. I even swallowed my pride, sweeping the floors and grounds of the library to give back in my own little way. And in those humble acts, I found a sense of dignity and purpose.
What stands out the most during my time in the program was the unique initiative called “First Giants’ Time with the Scholars.” It wasn’t just a meeting – it was a space where we were seen, heard, and uplifted. The First Giants, at that time, made sure to know how each scholar was doing – not just academically but emotionally and mentally. He encouraged us to read, to dream bigger, to grow in knowledge and values. One particular story he shared has never left me. It was about a shoe shinerwho received an unexpected act of kindness from a gentleman, a monetary donation. That small ripple of generosity allowed him to finish his studies and later, change the lives of others.

The message was clear: Let one good deed ripple into many.
Today, I am proud to say I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy and passed the Board Examination on my first attempt. I began auditing for several private firms – many of them Japanese-owned – and later served as a state auditor, assigned to several agencies under the Executive Branch of government. I’ve had the rare opportunity to visit different countries and almost all of the regions within the Philippines, using my skills as an auditor. And perhaps what gives me the greatest joy – beyond the professional success – is that I’ve been able to send some of my own family members and relatives to school.
This program gave me not only the means to succeed – but the purpose to uplift others.

Moving forward, I remain committed to the very advocacy that helped me rise. As a way of paying it forward, I am pledging to sponsor one scholarship slot under this program, in hopes that another deserving student can experience what I was fortunate to receive. This is my way of saying thank you – not only in words, but in action.
Let me end by acknowledging the sacrifices made, not just by me, but by many of us in this room:
I sacrificed comfort for the chance to pursue an education.
I sacrificed pride for the humility of sweeping floors in exchange for opportunity.
I sacrificed certainty for the hope that faith and hard work would lead somewhere meaningful.
Truly, Glory Is Achieved Nobly Through Sacrifice.
The GIANTS and the Neighbors Abroad Association didn’t just fund my education – they built my future.
Thank you for being the ripple that changed my life. I pray that we all become ripples to others.
Mabuhay po kayo, and thank you very much.

ENGIL BERT C. POTENTE
Former Scholar

Our eco-tour with Prof. Marge included visits to a mangrove island, marine sanctuaries, a rainforest rejuvenation sites and natural resources cultivating and preservation at Visaya State University, clean-up efforts at an island sanctuary (cut short due to a tsunami warning), recycling stations, and visiting natural waterways and falls.

Prof. Marge’s forward strategic thinking is evident in several key conservation efforts:

• Sea Cucumber Revival: Educating locals to nurture the sea cucumbers until they reproduce and grow larger, reversing near-eradication caused by early harvesting.
• Marine Ecosystem Rehabilitation: GDFI addressed destructive fishing methods (blast, cyanide, and heavy gleaning) that ruined reefs. With donor support, they rehabilitated Bagonbanwa Island’s marine life. An expert once described the area as "sterile," but in five years, it became teaming with life, benefiting nearby coastal fishing communities.
• Mangrove and Fruit Bat Protection: Mangrove islands are protected for their crucial role as natural barriers against typhoons, holding the soil and providing sanctuary. Fruit bats are also protected for their vital role in spreading seeds and maintaining biodiversity.
  
  

Tragically, Super Typhoon Yolanda utterly destroyed Bagonbanwa Island’s infrastructure (buildings, water system, wharf). While the island previously served as a venue for scientific research, eco-tourism, and training for up to 50 people, limited funding has meant that rebuilding efforts have focused primarily on the GDFI's mainland office.
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As I am writing this blog, Guiuan Island and mainland is again being pummeled by Typhoon Tino. 

The extensive work of GDFI—Empowering Communities, Protecting the Environment and Conserving Natural Resources—is vital. To continue inspiring the next generation and serving coastal communities, donations are urgently needed to finish rebuilding a better Field Station for Bagonbanwa Island and other conservation and educational efforts which in the long run will benefit many other places in the world. To donate, please click here. ​

By Sephi Grinkrug

It was a nerve-racking experience because it was my first time in Japan and I was nervous that Japan would not feel like home at all, but driving through the streets on the left side felt weird for about five seconds, then it felt normal until I really looked at it. This experience reminded me about those stories where the main character moves to a different house and that house never feels like home. Well, I was in Japan where every single thing felt like home: sleeping, eating, riding on the LEFT side of the road, and the language.

​When in Tokyo my favorite place was definitely Shibuya Crossing. And in general my favorite place was Toshogu-shrine, this is because it felt really cool walking through Japanese architecture buildings, and it was perfect temperature.

​By Aoi Koizumi

It was my first trip abroad, so I was both excited and anxious. When I first met my buddy, we hugged each other. She and her family made me feel so welcome. And she asked me, “What do you want to do?” So, I told her, “I want to be your bestie.” 

On my first day in America, I had a hamburger for dinner at Gott's. The fries were so crispy…!!

I’m into hamburgers!!!!

On a holiday, I made stuffed animals with my buddy at BUILD-A-BEAR. I chose which character I wanted to make a stuffed animal of and stuffed it with cotton. And I put my heart inside a stuffed animal. It was interesting because it was like they were really coming to life!

In America, there were many stores where we could make and experience things ourselves! I was so excited to be able to make one myself. It will be my precious memory.

By Itsuki Aida

What surprised me the most about this program was the friendliness of the Americans. There were aspects that were a little different from Japan, such as how everyone took the initiative to help if someone was in trouble.

It was my first time going to America. Everything was different from what I had in Japan, it was big and artistic. There were no small cars like in Japan, and I think everything was about 2 to 3 times larger than what we have in Japan.

The Yosemite National Park that I visited on my trip to America was so beautiful that it cannot be expressed in words, with a kind of fantasy that is far removed from the Japanese mountains. The temperature was also comfortable for me, and everything there was beautiful and amazing. I strongly felt that I wanted to go again.

The Japanese food that I made and ate with my buddy and buddies’ family on host day had a special feeling different from what I experienced in Japan. Even though it’s something I usually make and eat by myself, I was a little surprised to realize how much it changes just by having a different place and different people to eat with. My buddy and buddies’ family also happily ate the dishes I made, and I was glad.

I also visited world-famous companies like Google and NVIDIA. The buildings were futuristic, and the structures were interesting.

​I love my family very much, who accepted me even though I am someone from another country of a different race. They treated me like a real son. I was full of anxiety in America for the first time, but everyone supported me emotionally, and that first experience turned out to be a very good one.

I want to visit Palo Alto again. I want to do the things I couldn't do, eat the things I couldn't eat, and have the experiences I missed out on at that time. Also, I want to visit my second family, who warmly welcomed me with lots of Japanese souvenirs.

I believe this experience will be one I never forget for the rest of my life. It was my first time in America, and I got to go with friends. The place we stayed was great, making it the best first experience. I don't think I'll be scared anymore when I go to America next time. Finally, I cannot thank enough those involved who made this experience possible. Thank you very much.

Lastly, I have one thing I want to say.
I will say it many times. I really love my Buddies!!

By Gretchen Wirtz 

​I chose to retire early in 1998 from a faculty position at Elgin Community College. I was excited to move to an area of the world where I could possibly make a tiny bit of difference. I came to know Oaxaca, Mexico, when my daughter, Mikayla, did a trimester study of the Mexican culture and language in Oaxaca through Kalamazoo College. On my way to visit my son, Erin, in the Peace Corps in Honduras, I spent Mikayla’s final week in Oaxaca and fell in love with the people, the city, and the culture.

Less than a year after moving to Oaxaca, I met an older woman who was volunteering at the library at Albergue Infantil Josefina, a home for abused and abandoned children. She shared with me that she would soon return to her home in the United States and wondered if I would consider taking her place in the library. I can still remember how happy I was at this opportunity. Having met and passed the inspection of the nuns at the Albergue, I began my Saturday sojourn there. Having been an educator of many different levels during my professional life, it was so fun to be with the children of various ages, read to and with them, struggle with my Spanish, and laugh with them when I made a mistake, and they giggled as they corrected me. Volunteering in the library morphed into other possibilities, teaching English to the older young people, going on excursions with them, and even enjoying a sleepover in my yurt house in a mountain village nearby. I had the privilege of listening to their stories, wondering with them about their families of origin, admiring their bravery, their love, and especially their acceptance of their Albergue family.

Other expats in the Oaxacan community learned of my involvement, and some became involved as well. Several also became volunteers; others worked together as we organized a way to be sure each child received a gift on the Day of the Kings (now an event taken over by the Oaxaca Library), made or paid for Christmas dinner for all there, or trained children in the art of running and took them to competitions. So many generous folks.

In my yearly letter to friends and family, I always mentioned my presence at the Albergue, and folks began asking if they could help in some way. So, I began to have a benefit in my home in Chicago when I was there specifically to raise money for the Albergue. I’d make an authentic Mexican dinner with help from friends and serve it to those who came. Others who could not attend because of distance or other commitments sent a check. Actually, it was fun, and we all looked forward to the yearly event.

Marianne and her husband, Vern, came to live in Oaxaca for a year, and she became a volunteer at the Albergue. When they returned to Minnesota, they decided to have a similar benefit. Vern, a chef, was well prepared to offer excellence to their friends. We’d get together when they were in Oaxaca and found we both had some concerns about the tax status of the checks that had been sent for the Albergue. As an Albergue Board Member, I had come to know about Neighbors Abroad of Palo Alto and their connection to the Albergue. It occurred to us that perhaps that might be an avenue of safety for those checks. Vern made a phone call to Neighbors Abroad, and the rest, as we say, is history.

I volunteered at the Albergue for fourteen of the fifteen years I lived in Oaxaca. As anyone might guess, I became close to many of the young people with whom I interacted, witnessing their graduations, marriages, and even the birth of their children. I continue to be in touch with a number of them today, and they continue to enrich my life. In truth, it is important to salute the nuns who raise those children, often to adulthood. My experience of the Albergue children is they become caring, inclusive, helpful, and responsible young people and continue to look upon the Albergue as their family thanks to the nuns.

This does not happen without significant support, and Neighbors Abroad of Palo Alto has been there for them as long as I have experienced the Albergue. From my perspective, that consistency is the key to healthy, happy, engaged children. The newsletter, the advocacy of its members, and the generosity of so many make it possible for those children of my heart to recover from what they need to and learn to be happy, productive children. I was so fortunate to be invited there, and my gratitude knows no end. What more can be said?

By Chiharu Kusama

I applied for this program because of my longing to speak English and to go abroad​

However, what I gained in those 10 days was a hundred times more intense than I had imagined, and what I had longed for turned into a goal to become an English speaker and a dream to work internationally.

Before I met my host family, I was worried about whether or not I could speak English well. However, my host family took me to many fun places and talked to me a lot, so my nervousness gradually melted away. I am very happy and have the best memories of going to the neighborhood park with my buddy, going out and going to school together and gradually getting to know each other.
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I was very happy to be able to eat delicious American food that I longed for, such as hamburgers from IN-N-OUT BURGER, clam chowder from San Francisco, and chocolate ice cream from Ghirardelli Square!

As a new student exchange chaperone some things I anticipated might happen but hoped wouldn’t happen, did happen. For example, our group experienced a lost passport, a lost wallet, even a lost student, who really wasn’t lost but at one time texted to the group, ‘Hey, where is everybody?’ Japan is a very honest and safe country, so the passport and wallet were returned quickly when found by others and each of the students had their phones, so communication was always an easy task.

We chaperoned the students through Himeji Castle, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Tokugawa Shrine, and the Shinkyo Bridge to name a few. With each location, one of our students gave a presentation and overview of the history of the location. Even though we had a guide in Himeji Castle and in Kyoto, it was still nice to listen to our students’ version of what they felt was interesting about the site. The presentations were brief and most often given while the student was reading from their phone, but it was a nice way to get an introduction and a good opportunity for some independent research. The other students also showed their support by applauding with positive comments afterwards. ‘Good job!’ 

When we arrived in Tsuchiura we were met by the parents and city staff at the Welcome Ceremony at City Hall. The head of the Tsuchiura International Association Board, Mr. Noriyuki Aoki, spoke and welcomed us with kind words. A translator was used so every speech was paused after a few sentences in order for the translator to translate. One sentence especially struck me since I love to garden was ‘You will try our sweet potatoes’, or something to that effect. Did I miss something in translation? Did he just say ‘sweet potatoes’? Sure enough, inside the welcome gift bags given to us and the students was a wrapped cooked sweet potato from a local company called Kaitsuka. It was the sweetest sweet potato I have ever eaten. Not surprisingly everyone, including the students asked, ‘Can we bring sweet potatoes home? Will U.S. customs allow us?’ Luckily, the sweet potatoes are cooked and packaged, and yes, it was ok to bring them back and many of us did. We were excited to share this newly discovered Tsuchiura delicacy with our families back home. Gift-giving is part of Japanese culture and is called ‘Omiyage’ in Japanese. This was one of the many cultural lessons learned by our students. Each of our students had to pack omiyage for their host families before departing for Japan. 

Another cultural lesson we learned in Japan, is to not eat and walk at the same time. This is considered impolite in Japanese culture. When we visited the vast colorful Nishiki Market with its many food stalls, we saw signs everywhere saying you must eat the food in front of the stall where it was purchased. In Kyoto, we enjoyed ice cream and ate it in front of the store, even though Kyoto had a charming street with many interesting places to window shop. I never realized how our students felt about this restriction, until 10 days later, when we returned to SFO and immediately after arriving, one of the students exclaimed ‘Yes! Now we can eat and walk!’ 

One of my favorite parts of the trip was meeting with the host families in their homes and seeing our students interact with their buddies.  Chaperones were hosted on several nights by several families for dinner.  At our first family dinner, we learned how to make takoyaki, or octopus balls, which are minced octopus cooked in a savory batter made in a special pan that looks similar to a muffin pan except the indentations are half spheres the size of golfballs. You add various toppings on the batter as you delicately turn it over and over in the pan using toothpicks. In the end the batter cooks into a complete sphere - takoyaki! A new experience for all of us. After dinner, our host family and their children along with our Palo Alto student and neighborhood kids lit sparklers in the open area outside. I learned later that Tsuchiura holds a national fireworks competition every November, one of the largest in Japan. It was a festive celebratory ending to our first night in Tsuchiura. 

At another dinner, we were guests in a traditional Japanese style home built by family members long ago. We were greeted by the host family and their extended family with both sets of grandparents present. We were seated on the floor on tatami mats and pillows provided for extra comfort. One of the grandmothers told us in her spiritied English/Japanese and animated hand gestures, about her trip to the U.S. as a young woman and that she attended a concert by Paul Anka.  She proceeded to sing a couple verses of Paul Anka’s iconic song ‘Put your Head on my Shoulder’. I’m a Paul Anka fan myself and knew the song and so sang it with her at the table as she sat folded knees next to me. The entire dinner party smiled. Song and music has a magical way of getting people to smile together. She was happy to see us, happy to share her beautiful home, happy to offer us a feast of delicious food. She was very thankful and appreciative to Neighbors Abroad for the wonderful experience her granddaughter had last March in Palo Alto. We appreciated her and her family and their incredible hospitality.  

At another host family, we had a BBQ dinner outside with a view of their lovely garden. The traditional Japanese house was built by family members generations ago with beautiful dark kawara clay roof tiles with their curved wavy element reminiscent of a natural landscape. This type of roof has been an integral part of Japanese architecture and culture for centuries. The garden was lovingly maintained by the grandfather with trees artistically pruned to look like giant bonzai trees. The grandfather offered the chaperones a taste of his favorite sake which we found to be very smooth and one of the best sakes we ever had. After dinner, we watched our student and their buddy enjoy lighting sparklers on the long driveway beside the garden. 

Chaperones also had dinners and meetings with the Tsuchiura International Association’s current and former members. At our dinner with the current President, Mr. Noriyuki Aoki, we were served the best wagyu beef and other meats cooked on a grill built into the center of the table. At another dinner at the former association president, Yuko Fujita’s home, we were served the most delicious lamb chops. Ms Fujita is a gourmet cook and has written a cookbook which thankfully included the recipe for these lamb chops. 

One day, while our students were in class, the chaperones toured the Shibanuma Soy Sauce Factory in Tsuchiura which was founded in 1688.  The Shibanuma company has been owned by the same family since it began and we had the privilege of  a private tour by the 17th generation owner. He told us the company’s history as we toured the factory and store room that held the fermenting soybeans in large 20 ft tall handmade wooden barrels. These barrels were made without nails and can last for decades. One was even a hundred years old. When a new barrel is used, the inside of the old barrel is scraped and added into the new barrel to keep the continuity of flavor. The process remains traditional and varied little throughout the centuries. We sampled freshly pressed soy sauce and found its smooth umami taste was more complex and different from the mass market soy sauce we normally purchase in the U.S. The color of the soy sauce was a richer caramel auburn, different from the usual dark black. I equate the experience similar to touring a 300 year old winery and sampling it’s fine wine made by a master winemaker. One gains an appreciation for a company like Shibanuma that is dedicated to tradition and high quality.  

As chaperones, we visited several schools that our Palo Alto students attended as they shadowed their buddies. We met with the school administrators at each school and sometimes ate lunch with them at the schools. The hot lunches are free and served on a tray with different compartments for each course, similar to a bento box. Teachers and students eat the same hot lunch which was balanced, healthy, and tasty.  The lunches come with a small milk carton and students are taught to fold the carton compactly to reduce space in the waste bin. We learned to do this as well. It was like making milk carton origami.  

Our Palo Alto students dressed like their classmates and each wore the provided school uniforms to class. One class had 2 of our students being interviewed by their classmates as an assignment. Another class had one of our students performing experiments in a physics lab. One class had our student attending a nutrition class. A few students were in another school that we did not visit, but we were told they participated in a Sports Day. Later I asked one of those students how they liked Sports Day and she said they played games she’s never played before. One of the games she described as similar to basketball except with the basket attached to someone’s back and you had to chase them to put the ball into the basket.  She described it as very funny and very fun.

The chaperones and students immersed themselves into the Japanese culture which made the trip always interesting. One thing we realized about Japanese culture is that cleanliness and hygiene are very important. When you arrive at a school, you are offered ‘indoor shoes’ which are generally slippers or shoes that have never been worn outside.  We brought our own ‘indoor shoes’. Our students all had ‘indoor shoes’ provided. In Japan, as well as many other cultures, people take off their shoes before entering a home in order to keep the space clean. Japan goes a step further by also having ‘toilet shoes’ or slippers that are worn only in the bathrooms. Sometimes our naivete of these cultural norms led to embarrassing situations. In Kyoto we and the students had a special meal called a kaiseki dinner in a beautiful traditional Japanese restaurant that had floor to ceiling windows with lovely views of the outside manicured gardens. I walked out of the womens restroom to shocked and horrified faces by the wait staff who were looking down at my feet. I immediately knew I had forgotten to take off the toilet shoes yet again! And quickly went back to remove them.

As a chaperone, I enjoyed seeing Japan through the eyes of our students. After our students met with the Mayor of Tsuchiura and City Executives, one of our students was interviewed by the media and was asked ‘What was your favorite part about Japan?’ Our student replied that they liked ‘all the vending machines!’ I thought about it for a second, and YES, I agree! On a hot day, if you need cold water or a cool refreshment, you did not need to go far. At almost every street corner, building, train station, or park, a vending machine with chilled drinks can be found. 

The 30-year history of the Tsuchiura/Palo Alto student exchange and the incredible commitment and hard work from the parents and communities of Tsuchiura and Palo Alto left me in awe. Our Palo Alto students meet not just their host families, but the entire Tsuchiura community and are treated as youth ambassadors. When the Tsuchiura students come to Palo Alto, they are also shown incredible hospitality by their Palo Alto host families and met at City Hall by the Mayor of Palo Alto and the City Council. There is a lot of hard work and committment that goes into organizing a student exchange like this and I applaud the efforts of the Tsuchiura International Association and the Neighbors Abroad Tsuchiura committee.

On our final day in Tsuchiura, Neighbors Abroad hosted a Farewell Lunch that was attended by students, parents, teachers, and city staff. The students enjoyed playing games like musical chairs. The laughter heard throughout the lunch was followed by warm hugs and goodbyes as our students sadly left to board the bus. We heard sniffles and tears as the students waved goodbye to their buddies through the windows as our bus left the parking lot and headed back to Narita Airport. 

This student exchange program casts a wide net, like a giant hug that wraps around two different communities thousands of miles apart. The program impacts so many in these communities. Why do we work so hard to bring these young people together? Because the respect of other people and cultures is our best hope for the future. We cannot let social media replace the in-person interaction necessary for our youth to gain a better understanding of others. Not every host brother/sister connection will last a lifetime, but if just one or two out of our group does, then how wonderful is that! I wish my children had participated in a student exchange program like this when they were in middle school. I would have loved to chaperone the exchange and then if a student came up to me and asked ‘Who’s parent are you?’ I would have a name. If one has an opportunity to chaperone students and participate in an exchange, do it! It is a little thing we can do in our lives that goes a long way in touching the lives of many.