Yousiki-A Japanese youth fighting air pollution in Dhaka

As a teenager, Yoshiki could be forgiven for absorbing himself in social networks, video games, cell phones or other materialistic distractions. For most of us, the world itself has become so materialistic that we know well on the lesser important problems of setting alarm clock tunes, toasting bread, and fulfilling our every need by purchasing endless devices like computers, televisions, and cell phones. There is one outstanding exception, though. Yoshiki Seki, who being born to a Japanese father and German mother, was raised in Japan like every other 17-year-old Japanese youth. Yoshiki is, however, unique.
Yoshiki at 17 has travelled to many countries. And while being a native of one of the worlds most advanced and affluent nations (Japan), Yoshiki is most happy when living amongst the remote villages of some of the world’s least privileged, third world countries, i.e. Nepal.
On a student visa, Yoshiki lived in Nepal for 18 months where he attended a local school and studied with the Nepalese for one year. During his stay in Nepal, Yoshiki travelled to many remote and impoverished villages. Like a traveler on an uncharted voyage, Yoshiki, ventured on many solo trips throughout Nepal. This young but global minded 17 year old adjusted to many varying situations ranging from standing on local buses for endless hours to eating at local eateries. Nothing stopped Yoshiki from travelling. His drive and passion to learn about new cultures, places, and people kept him moving forward. He continues to believe that “only a honey hunter will know the true taste of real honey.”
During his stay, at only 15 years old, Yoshiki visited one of the most remote villages of Nepal with a group of Japanese students. Yoshiki took this opportunity to better understand authentic Nepalese village life, where one has to walk miles to fetch a pot of water, walk for hours to reach a local school, and where the possibility of reaching hospitals or emergency services was non-existent. Yoshiki also learned that only one in four villagers could read or write. For most foreign teenagers living in a remote village like this, without proper sanitation or familiar cuisine would be beyond bearable. For Yoshiki however, the life in these remote third-world villages was enjoyable. He became immersed with the local people and their lifestyle. He stayed with local families within the village and started gradually living like a local with them. Yoshiki has since visited the same village each year, using the relationships he has built as a platform for his global understanding.
This year as a member of Asia Association of Education and Exchange (AAEE) and as a translator/interpreter, Yoshiki visited the same village to build a series of safe drinking water tanks for the villagers. Together with the villagers and other students in the work camp, Yoshiki built the tanks so that the villagers could enjoy safe drinking water and not need to re-invest in similar facilities for the next 15 years. The villagers are now able to utilize these critical facilities, and continue to see many benefits beyond the immediate savior from walking miles to fetch safe drinking water. They are also now able to perform various kinds of cleaning programs that have obvious positive health outcomes
While the world continues to fight for equal education rights, many remain deprived of a formal education. School is considered to be a second “safe” home for children and young adults, where their bright futures are molded like soft clay. School teaches children and young adults vital life skills they need to apply throughout their working and greater social lives.
However, Yoshiki has seen many people deprived of a formal education, which in turn limits their future prospects and opportunities to participate in a global society.
On his visit to Bangladesh, and as a representative of Asia Association of Education and Exchange, Yoshiki has had the opportunity to observe Dhaka and live with the locals. The city had its own beauty, but the pollution was something that easily caught Yoshiki’s attention. He considered the various hazards that this pollution could potentially present for the local population. Yoshiki soon shared his views with a group called “SWITCH!”. He discussed the matter at length and concluded that the eradication or at least minimization of pollution is necessary. In collaboration with Asia Association of Education and Exchange, SWITCH! and Yoshiki planned a cleaning project for Dhaka and sent a formal proposal.
AAEE and SWITCH! both believe that education is the key to eradicating all problems. They have since taken their joint Cleaning Campaign to schools where students have learned about the positive effects of a clean and healthy environment. School is the best domain to reach children and young adults, and to impart knowledge and skills in various sanitation strategies needed for a healthier environment. Yoshiki is now working on this project in Dhaka, by visiting schools and in teaching students how to make their environment a cleaner and a better place to live. He believes that this project will definitely have an impact on the students, which will help them to follow a healthy lifestyle.
This is a tremendous achievement for Yoshiki, who unlike his similarly aged friends back home, remains engaged in activities that have a global impact. Yoshiki’s experiences and observations bring wisdom, lessons and many great stories that he will take back and share with friends and family. These will act as a motivation for all Japanese and similarly aged youths globally.
Since his return from Bangladesh in summer 2013, Yoshiki has been actively promoting his activities through speeches and presentations in Japan.