WHITE sand and the Pacific Ocean brought eight Japanese children to the island recently.
Accompanied by 20 Japanese volunteers and a doctor from Maeda Hospital in Tokyo, the children arrived here on Monday to realize their dream of getting a glimpse of a tropical island.
Dr. Yuko Ishibashi, an internal medicine doctor at Maeda, said they chose Saipan because of its proximity to Japan and its beautiful beaches.
The children, who are from 10 to 17 years old, are cancer patients. While on Saipan, they spent a day on Managaha Island.
“This is their first time here and they find the island warm and beautiful,” said Mayumi Mishimoto, the group’s leader.
“They are very happy to be here,” another volunteer said.
The children said they will bring along white sand to Japan as souvenir.
The management of Pacific Development, Inc., which helped coordinate the visit, said: “We are very thankful that they choose Saipan.”
The group said they see the possibility of bringing more Japanese children to Saipan.
