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reading and exploration on to the students who live where she used to teach. When you read, your imagination takes you to places. It took Taylor to Japan.”Through reading, Taylor learned about Japanese culture and gained an understanding of and respect for it. The Read-ing Corners program is one way that is one way that the Tay-lor Anderson Memorial Fund aims to bring children closer to English books and pass on Taylor’s appetite for learning to the students of Ishinomaki.“When you give something to someone who needs help, it becomes a part of you, and it makes you happier,” says Andy. This dovetails with Sophia University’s educational aim “Men and Women for Others, with Others.”There are many specific ways that people can help recov-ery efforts in Ishinomaki. Volunteer translators can read and translate children’s English books in the Taylor Anderson Reading Corners. And of course, other volunteers are welcome in Ishino-maki as well. The mission of the fund is to help schools, stu-dents and families in the community to recover. One way to accomplish this is to participate in the events and programs hosted by the local community, spending time with the local children and creating bonds that last a lifetime. “The local people that we work with are all trying to build their community back up. They are small local NPOs and volunteers. What we are trying to do there is help them re-build their community and their lives,” Andy said. The cul-tural exchange programs of the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund are instrumental in easing the long road to recovery, and giving survivors hope.forts. Throughout the year, students from the United States and Japan discuss their respective research projects over the internet. They then travel to one another’s campuses for rig-orous face-to-face discussions and information sharing ses-sions, as well as cultural exchange activities. For younger students, the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund/YMCA Youth Exchange Program is offered, which brings students from Taylor’s former junior high schools for a week-long cultural exchange program to Washington D.C. and Virginia, Taylor’s home state. Such programs provide valuable opportunities for young people to learn about and experience other cultures. The An-dersons believe that instilling an interest in and awareness of other cultures and the challenges they face is very impor-tant. Jeanne remembers Taylor’s first exposure to Japan, in grade school, when a favorite history teacher introduced her to Japanese language and culture. “Through his teachings, she fell in love with Japan and the Japanese language,” she said. “That exposure lasted a lifetime. The more she learned about Japan, the more she wanted to live here.” Her spirit was also passed on to younger brother Jeff who started JET life in Nara in the summer of 2015.Taylor Anderson Reading Corners were installed in nine school libraries in Ishinomaki. Bookshelves bulge with many English books for every age group. So far, the total value of the books and bookshelves donated is over $90,000.Reading was very important to Taylor, said Andy. “Taylor learned a lot, and thought of what her dreams would be, based on reading books. We are trying to pass that love of Jeanne AndersonAndy AndersonHanding Down the DreamTo Give Means to Receive23Special Talk

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