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In a bid to further help heal the wounds of World War II, a Japanese philanthropist is building schools along the route of the infamous Death March in World War II.

 

Katsutoshi Shimizu turned over Tuesday two school buildings with equipment to the Department of Education, even as Secretary Armin Luistro hailed the move as a sign of healing from the memories of the past.

 

“We thankfully accept this donation from R.K Shimizu (Nagasaki) Foundation, Inc. through its president Mr. Katsutoshi Shimizu whose mission is to help build dreams and bridge societies. We hope many will follow suit.” Luistro said.

 

The DepEd said Shimizu believes building classrooms for Filipino children is the best way to pay back the government for more than 40 years of doing business in the country.

 

Shimizu turned over to DepEd two-classroom school buildings for Bantan Elementary School in Orion, Bataan and Angelina Jimenez Elementary School in Capas, Tarlac.

 

The school buildings were also equipped with toilets, a Japanese garden, two computer sets, two LCD TV sets, school uniforms, and classroom equipment including tables, chairs, and chalkboards.

 

Shimizu’s donation was made under the DepEd’s Adopt-A-School program, which allows the private sector to donate to public schools.

 

So far, the DepEd said the foundation has adopted and donated school buildings and school furniture to a school in Talisay and two schools in Calatagan, Batangas.

 

“The chairs and tables—donated by the Prefecture of Nagasaki where Shimizu hails—are designed not only to carry five times the weight of an adult person but also to protect school children in times of emergency,” said Luistro.

 

Seventy-four-year-old Shimizu first arrived in the Philippines in 1969 and has engaged in business, bringing used assorted ship parts and Japanese technology to the country.

 

Because he has been in and out of the country more than 500 times, he considers the Philippines his second home.

 

Shimizu said he ordered this son to continue his legacy to Philippine education even if he is gone. –KG, GMA News