スクリプトは事前提出されたものですので、ビデオの音声とは異なる場合があります。

One Coin

MATSUDA Masaki (Anan National College of Technology)

When we want to get something, we use this, coin. We can drink what we want to drink and we can eat what we want to eat with a coin. It may be used in various ways. But I know the way that a coin can be used for not only getting something, but also giving something. A coin can bring hope.

When I was in a car accident and was hospitalized, I met 17-year-old girl in the hospital. I was bored staying in bed all day. One day, when I was looking at the sky from the window, she spoke to me. “Hi, My name is Reika. Nice to meet you. What's your name? How old are you? How many examinations have you gone through so far?” She was talkative. I barely managed to say “My name is Masaki. I'm 8 years old. And---how many?---three? Or four? I don't know.” In those days I wasn't used to talking with a cute girl like her, so I was really shy then. “Did you hear rumor about this hospital? In this hospital, we can see a ghost. Are you afraid of that? I'm not” She talked as if she was in a school with her friends. The time talking with her changed my hospital life from gray to colorful one.

Some days later I heard she had severe heart disease. She had to take medicine every day. The medicine was making her weaker and weaker. Almost all of her hair had fallen out. But she was very energetic in spirit and she was always smiling. Everybody knew her there. Nobody could believe she was very ill.

In order to cure her heart disease, she needed to have an operation in America. Unfortunately it was very expensive and the chance for success was slim. I thought it would be impossible for her to have the operation. Her family started to collect money for the operation. Of course, it was not easy. However she never gave up or lost her hope

With wholehearted efforts, her family could finally collect certain amount of money. She said “I'm afraid to have the surgery. I can't stop thinking of death. Still, I want you to remember it is important for us to do something for someone else. Think about bringing hope to someone.” Picking up one coin from the desk, she added, “This coin brought me hope. Promise me you won't forget it”. I couldn't understand what exactly she was trying to say to me at that time. But, I clearly remember the tears I saw on her cheek.

One week later she had the surgery. The medicine she had been taking had made her weak and the pain was extreme. It was too much for her to endure. In the end, she passed away. When I heard the news, I was shocked. This sad experience made me think. I thought about the importance of having hope. I thought about my promise to help other people and make them happy. I thought that fund-raising would be the best way for me to do that. Indeed, she passed away regardless of all efforts. But her message was passed on to me. It kindled a modest but never dying flame in my heart.

Now I collect a lot of information about how to raise money. And I explain to other people through the Internet that people like her need money to live. I also do volunteer fund-raising work often. I keep thinking about what I can do for someone. Even if you put one small coin into a fund-raising box, it becomes a big help for someone who needs it. It may not seem like much but it can bring hope.