Poverty, discrimination, and racial segregation…
How can one person address the challenges that blight our world?
Tokyo, Japan — “Bringing Smiles Across the World” aired today on NHK World, Japan‘s international channel, featuring the life of Dr. Kazuko Hillyer Tatsumura. The film has been produced by Japan International Broadcasting.
Kazuko Hillyer Tatsumura, vice president emeritus of Orphans International Worldwide and a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient of the J. Luce Foundation, offers one solution for those of us struggling in a moral maze. For half a century she has championed the oppressed across borders, with no backing from any major organizations.
The Manjushree Vidyapith Orphanage is in Tawang, in northeastern India.
Fifteen years ago, it was on the verge of collapse, due to a shortage of funding. She traveled the world to find support, and rebuilt the orphanage.
Today, it’s home to over 300 children, providing them with excellent facilities and an education. A growing number of children there are now fulfilling their dream of a college education.
She was once a leading
concert and stage promoter.
Her many achievements included bringing the renowned conductor Leonard Bernstein to Japan for his first performance there. At the peak, she was involved in an amazing 2,000 performances per year.
But then, half a century ago, she turned to philanthropy after meeting H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama. In the late 1970s she began helping refugees from the Vietnam War.
She went on to perform a range of helpful roles around the world. She contributed to countries afflicted by disaster, and supported orphanages in India, Indonesia, and Panama.
“I have traveled with this strong woman to Cuba, Indonesia, Haiti, India, and Panama — visiting disadvantaged children across the Global South, says Jim Luce. “Dr. Kazuko, who I call sensei, has been both my philanthropic partner and mentor.”
“I served as vice president of her Gaia Holistic Foundation and she vice president of our of Orphans International Worldwide and the J. Luce Foundation. She introduced me to her friend and teacher, His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
She began as a leading
concert and stage promoter…
She was once a leading concert and stage promoter. In 2023, her work took her to Central America. There, she suffered a stroke, and these days she struggles to walk. But she hasn’t given up.
She stays in touch with international colleagues while undergoing rehab at a Buddhist medical facility in Japan, and plans to return to the front line in six months’ time.
At 86, she’s overcome many hardships as she strives to bring smiles to people around the world.
Dr. Kazuko on Japan’s NHK: “Bringing Smiles Across the World” (Dec. 6, 2024)
Tawang district is the smallest of 26 administrative districts of Arunachal Pradesh state in northeastern India. It has a population of about 50,000.
Manjushree Vidyapith Orphanage in Tawang, Northeastern India
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