GWHS Japan Trip for Volunteerism (June 2025)

Konnichiwa (Hello)!

Thank you for visiting our GoFundMe page.

This June, 18 students from George Washington High School in San Francisco will embark on their volunteerism project tour to Japan, and we need your support to help us achieve our goals. We appreciate your interest and encourage you to read about our past experiences below.

Our Japanese program initiated this volunteerism project following the East Japan Earthquake in 2011. In response, Washington High School students raised over $13,000 to support the rebuilding efforts at our sister school, which had suffered significant damage. Through various fundraising campaigns and events, we were able to contribute to the recovery. In 2012, we visited Tohoku as volunteers, participating in cleanup efforts along beaches and other areas. In 2014, we traveled to Ogatsu town for the first time, where we worked alongside students from our sister school to support the Ogatsu School Restoration Project.

Over the years, we have raised funds and worked hand in hand with local communities to help rebuild and restore. While providing financial and physical support was critical and deeply appreciated, the most meaningful reward came from the smiles and laughter of the people we helped. Their heartfelt gratitude, expressed in the simple words, “Thank you for coming to see us,” reinforced the power of human connection. We learned that smiles transcend language barriers and bring people together.

To further our education and cultural understanding, since 2018, we have expanded our volunteerism efforts with a Revitalization Project in Shikoku. This initiative aims to bridge cultural divides, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate the richness of our diverse world.

This summer, our students will travel to various locations across Japan, from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the more tranquil communities on Shikoku Island. At each stop, they will engage in cultural workshops that include interactive games and activities designed to foster a deeper understanding of cultural differences and similarities. These workshops will bring together diverse audiences, from elementary school children to senior citizens, all eager to learn from one another.

From June 5th to 27th, these 18 students will participate in unique cultural exchanges, each fostering mutual respect and understanding. As Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations, many accommodations and local transportation options can be expensive and challenging to secure. To make this trip possible, we need to raise additional funds to support our cultural missions while traveling in Japan.

The funds raised through this GoFundMe campaign will help us cover the costs of local transportation, including train tickets to Shikoku Island, as well as one night's accommodation at a local cultural facility.

Here is a link for a short video from our 2023 Japan trip .

We are deeply grateful for your support.

Thank you so much, and Arigato-gozaimasu!

Tomokazu Morikawa

George Washington High School

San Francisco, CA