From science to social impact: A student’s legacy to help Okinawan children

Amid the daily rhythms of university life, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) community members came together to create holiday memories and support local children in need.

Sachie Yukawa has been running a Christmas donation initiative for underprivileged children in Okinawa for 4 years. The PhD student, who joined OIST’s former Immune Signal Unit, began her community welfare involvement when she participated in a university outreach initiative, part of the first-year PhD curriculum at OIST. 

“I learned about the economic challenges and child poverty issues in Okinawa, which I found out were more severe compared to other regions of Japan, because of historical circumstances, including the impact of the war,” Sachie explained. “I wanted to help in some way.” 

Turning university outreach into annual giving 

Initially, she started by giving science lectures at a “kodomo shokudo” (or children's cafeterias) in Nago as part of her PhD outreach activities, where she conducted weekly lectures for about 7 months. Kodomo shokudo are volunteer-run facilities that provide free meals and support to children from low-income families. After realizing she could not maintain the weekly commitment alongside her PhD studies, she transitioned to organizing an annual Christmas donation project. 

The project evolved over time, starting as a personal initiative where she purchased stationery items for children. It later expanded into an "Angel Tree" project with the help of Julia Nabholz, Director of OIST’s Child Development Center, who became a key supporter. The Angel Tree project matched OIST community members with specific children to purchase gifts based on the children’s preferences and needs.  

In 2024, Sachie shifted to providing book vouchers, giving each child a voucher of the same value and the freedom to choose their own books, while ensuring donations went toward educational resources. OIST community members were also given the opportunity to write messages to the children on Christmas cards placed on a Christmas tree located near the OIST tunnel gallery reception desk. 

The impact of her final Christmas donation project in 2024 exceeded initial expectations, thanks to overwhelming support from the OIST community. What began as a plan to provide 500 yen book vouchers and Christmas cards to 53 children at Sakura Classroom (formerly Nago Children's Cafeteria) doubled in value to 1 000 yen cards, with additional funds allowing for a 30 000 yen donation to support the classroom's ongoing activities. The cards and gifts were presented to the children at the Sakura Classroom Christmas party. 

Searching for new hands to guide the project  

Sachie emphasized that many of the children attending kodomo shokudo face various challenges beyond economic hardship, including social and developmental difficulties that may affect their ability to participate in regular school activities. She believes that charitable contributions are important and that there is also potential for OIST's expertise to contribute to understanding and addressing these underlying issues. 

Throughout her years running the project, Sachie received significant support from various OIST community members, including Recreation Center staff, POWER Club members, security personnel, and student volunteers. She particularly highlighted the importance of having institutional support, noting how Julia Nabholz's involvement and connection to OIST leadership helped legitimize and sustain the initiative. 

As she prepares to leave OIST, Sachie hopes the spirit of community service will grow within the institution and for the continuation of the Christmas Tree Project. “Japan traditionally does not have a very strong donation culture and OIST's international environment provides an opportunity to establish and expand these types of projects. I hope that OIST can serve as a model for combining scientific research with community welfare and potentially influence broader Japanese society. I would love to see this project continue and grow.”