Help Kaio and the Project Soroban for All

Hello, my name is Kaio and I am a student of the 2nd year of high school (sophomore).

I reside in Brazil in the historic and touristic state of Minas Gerais.

I come here, frankly and humbly, to make you a very special request.

As is known to many dear people close to me, for some time, my family has been through a serious financial crisis. This year, we are struggling even more to try to protect our survival, as well as trying to ensure the continuity of my studies at school.

In previous years, I have been striving to reconcile my academic routine with scientific competitions, as well as keeping supporting my family. And, although for a person studying in a private institution leaning on the word "survival" may seem as a lack of humility, those who know a little of my life notice that I do not enjoy a wealthy life characterized by entertainment and unnecessary perks.

I have heard in the past that my academic results, including in scientific competitions, are fruit, exclusively, of the benefit of studying in private institutions. But, even though the teaching structure plays a key role in learning and evolving, since I was six years old my existence has been centered and dedicated solely to the exercise of learning. Come hell or high water, from Sunday to Sunday. Acknowlogde that this inherent routine is not exclusively mine, being also shared by relatives, whose involvement with work activities is 24/7.

For a few years, our brief moments of family entertainment were during our "walks" to the banks and notaries (for financial settlings) and to the supermarket , by enjoying listening to the entertaining narration of the internal audio circuit and specially during our meals, the moment when I spend countless hours talking uninterruptedly about the fun events that happened at school. The description of the daily classroom deeds of teachers and friends are a magical moment in which I see my parents smile and even laugh, one of the only times I feel really useful with my family, attenuating the deep concern with our current financial condition.

In an attempt to help my parents more, since last year, I have tried to reconcile work and home affairs with my academic obligations seeking the best balance possible between both. In this way, I have been doing grocery shopping, cleaning the house, preparing meals, washing dishes, dealing with banking affairs and deliveries in the mail, as well as any other tasks that can be done by me. And, even though I'm not even close to a master chef, my parentes, very kindly, always say it's good. :) I'm also not an athlete, so in my wandering around town, I'm usually slow for deliveries, shopping and dealing with banking affairs. Still, I keep striving as hard as I can to improve, because I know that I can do more to honor and auxiliate my family than just study.

In addition, I also take part in thematic events of animes during the course of the year to assist in the sales of my parents’ store, specially selling yakissobas and swords. Of course, it is importante to point out that all of the previously mentioned activities have their intensity and frequency adjusted according to how much school is demanding of me, in a colaboration system in which every member of the family contributes as much as they can. Fot that, I clarify that my attempts to try and help my family routine should not be confused with any personal abuse or excessive demanding. :)

I am not very sociable, since I don’t maintain ties in social online networks, as well as I don’t attend parties or other social activities. However, I am convinced that the few who have known me, among classmates and teachers, will hardly find in their lives someone as singular as I (can also be read as "alien" hahaha). And, despite of my image as a "Japanese" defender and aficionado by the Japanese culture, I am a Brazilian citizen and I love a feijoada! :)

I would like to count on your kindness in sharing your generosity with this individual who, today, does not have much to offer in return. I only have a great dream for the future, and I know that in a few years I will be able to be really useful to society. And for those who can not contribute, for whatever reasons (I am aware of how difficult things are nowadays!), please continue to share the blessing of your existence in my LIFE. You all are a part of who I am!

I do not know if I deserve your donation, or if I am worth your investment, but I was educated during these 14 years to serve the society. It's the only thing I actually know how to do well and for that I hope that, when, one day, I will become a mature and empowered citizen and will be able to do well my job in serving the community.

To all who have used their precious time in sharing this contente, I send from distance a warm hug, and, if I can be graced with your valuable help, whatever it may be, I will be eternally grateful!

Thank you very much!

Regards,

Kaio Kumagai

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SOROBAN FOR ALL Project

Soroban is the name given to the Japanese abacus, which consists of an instrument for calculations, originally Chinese, that was taken to Japan around 1600 AD. The calculation tool called by many of soroban and popularly known in Brazil as abacus, has been considered an excellent pedagogical tool for the development of several skills, such as:

. Attention;

. Concentration;

. Spatial orientation;

. Psychomotor coordination;

. Psychomotor coordination;

. Recognition of numbers;

. Mathematical skills;

. Visual perception;

. Logical mathematical reasoning;

. Working memory;

Based on these aspects, it is worth considering that in some cases the soroban is also used as a form of competition, more specifically within Japanese culture. However, in Brazil, some institutions and professionals aim to use the soroban as a pedagogical tool for a general cognitive development, trying to promote brain training and improve math-related skills as well as literacy skills.

I maintain the idea of a small project, during high school, called Soroban for All that aims to teach the use of soroban (Japanese abacus) for the low income community.

In spite of seeming to be something dispensable if you consider the many Brazilian education existent priorityneeds, in Asia, soroban is considered an indispensable tool for the development of logical-mathematical reasoning, being present as a useful object in any place, whether at home or in business.

Through internet research, one can identify the interest of Brazilian educators in promoting pilot projects that seek to train teachers in the public / private network in the use of the abacus for students with visual impairment, as well as in extra class activities, aiming to optimize memorization and brain agility. And, although I do not practice it since I was 11, I have the 2nd level of instruction (2 kyu), technically the highest level in MG, what would allow me to exercise the instructor activity. However, for this, it is necessary to formally certify a short course in SP, as well as to learn the dynamics and didactics, both essential for the soroban teaching.