Another success story
We at LFNKR are extremely proud of Kim S. who graduated from a night school in March this year. He made it to Japan in 2017 after escaping from North Korea and surviving a journey filled with hazards and hardships.
We told you about him back in Sept. 2017. If you’d like to read the back-story, refer to: https://www.northkoreanrefugees.com/2017/09/
When Kim S. arrived in Japan, he did not speak, read or write Japanese at all, but now …
On March 20, he graduated from the night class of B Junior High School in Tokyo. Normally, this would have required that he attend the school for three years, but through extra effort, he was able to graduate within just two years.
Due to the influence of Coronavirus, it was decided that the graduation ceremony would only be open to teachers and students; no parents would be in attendance. The scene, therefore, was very different from previous graduation ceremonies.
Several LFNKR members waited outside, though, including Hiroshi Kato, our executive director, and we could hear the speeches echoing from the ceremony hall in the school’s gym. We listened as the principal and all the graduates expressed their thanks and reminisced.
After the ceremony, Kim S. displayed his new diploma as he posed for a photo beside the graduation sign at the school gate with his mother, his homeroom teacher, and LFNKR members.
Kim S. was blessed with good teachers, and his homeroom teacher praised him for his hard work. He likewise expressed respect and appreciation for his homeroom teacher, with whom he seems to have built a good relationship.
Beginning in April, he plans to attend a technical high school in Tokyo part-time to obtain a professional certificate in Electrical Engineering.
In North Korea conditions gave him nearly no chance to study, so when he came to Japan he faced a considerable gap. But he has now taken a first decisive step toward an independent future.
LFNKR will continue supporting Kim S. so that he can pass the national electrician’s examination and pass the Japanese language proficiency test level 2 while he is still in high school.
LFNKR would like to thank all the people, teachers and seniors who have contributed to the growth and development of Kim S. And we especially thank the students of Waseda University, who have greatly helped him with his studies.
Our special thanks go out to those who have financially supported LFNKR’s efforts to support those North Koreans in their determination to start new lives. If you are one of our donors, please know that we deeply appreciate your generosity and kindness.