The group, known as the Tokufu-kai Party, has for the past 14 years made annual contributions to the schools – similar to last Tuesday’s contribution.
According to officials from the Palau Ministry of Education (MOE), the Tokufu-kai Party has, since 1995, made annual contributions of school supplies as gifts to all first grade students who enrolled in both public and private elementary schools.At the beginning of each year since 1995, according to MOE officials, a representative of the Tokufu-kai Party would inquire – through e-mail or other means – about the number of current first grade enrollment of all the elementary schools in Palau. Based on enrollment number given, the party proceeds to purchase schools for all the students; and representatives of the group would then travel to Palau to present the gifts to officials of MOE, who in turn distribute the gifts to all first graders enrolled in the respective elementary schools in Palau.According to Mr. Masanobu Kida (through an interpreter), Tokufukai Party Chief Manager, the making of the annual contributions is part of a promise that was made in 1995 during the commemoration and unveiling of the Palau-Tokufu-kai Irei Toh Memorial Tower in Ngatpang.“We had made a promise then,” he said, “to make annual contributions to support student learning in Palau. We promised to make consecutive contributions for 50 years.”Mr. Shoshin Taketani, the party’s Third Chairman, further added that the party will keep up with its promise and will continue foster mutual friendships with the people of Palau.“We hope that the students, as they grow up will continue to build unto the relationships,” he said, “so that the memories of our friendship will permeate the future.”Kida and Taketani presented the Tokufukai Party 2009 gifts to all of Palau’s first grade students to MOE Director Emery Wenty, who gratefully accepted the gifts on behalf of the students.Takatani further added that representatives of the party shall continue to make the annual contributions until the 50 years promise is met and hopefully be able to further its promise for another 50 years.
