Kurara is reading her message in the VIP private salon, inside the gorgeous shop of Ralph Lauren on the Omotesando Avenue in Tokyo, last Thursday evening.

Room To Read hosted a party to introduce John Wood, the famous top-executive of Microsoft who resigned out of the blue a couple of years ago, to raise money around the world and to open  libraries for children, in poor countries, and with no access to books.

When I was approached initially by their Japan chapter Susan Lodge, also Meg and Hillary, I jumped on the idea of opening a library for children in Vietnam and to secure scholarship with many girls with no chance to receive an education. Also I asked one of my dear business partners to help me with the funds to donate. This is a special thank you to Kazu Terada for his generosity as he helped me personally with a donation of 800,000 yen!

The donation was made in the name of Miss Universe Japan on that night and as a surprise to John Wood.

Kurara made a very moving and motivating speech about the importancy of girls education around the world.

I announced the donation of 800,000 yen to Room to Read on the behalf of the Miss Universe Japan Organization in front of numerous journalists, 2 Japanese TV crews and about 100 VIP guests invited to the event.

Together posing for the press with Room to Read founder John Wood. He is holding the certificate that I handed him. 

On that day, I had to attend a Christmas party with my children, in between meetings at the office, also I wore jeans instead of a evening gown like everybody else. I made a joke that I had to sell my dress in order to make the donation and people laughed, also I got away with it!

Special thanks also to Kurara for raising funds as well on her side, from her personal friends.

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