The Tyler Foundation’s Shine On! Smile Ambassador, Gaetano Guy Totaro, was featured in an article published on November 11, 2011 (Friday) in the Tohkai Shimpo, a local newspaper in the Tohoku Region. Below is our own English translation of the article. Guy is affectionately referred to as “Guy-san” by everyone he meets on his travels in the region and the journalist seems to have taken a liking to the nickname!
Healing the Heart Through Friendship
Smile Ambassador visits four city schools
Ofunato City
Guy-san (left) delights the children of North Ofunato Elementary School with his magic
Guy-san, the Smile Ambassador, is traveling around between elementary schools, kindergartens and daycare centers as part of a program to lift children’s spirits after the earthquake sponsored by the Tyler Foundation, a non-profit organization. Guy-san, an American, and his special guest, composer and pianist Ms. Ai Yamazaki, visited North Ofunato Elementary on the 9th, Hikoroichi Elementary and Yoshihama Elementary on the 10th, and Ikawa Elementary on the 11th.
At North Ofunato Elementary (principal: Misa Kamiseki, 195 children), Guy-san gave a speech in Japanese to 21 first graders so full of humor that everyone felt at ease. Guy-san entertained the children with magic tricks like producing ping-pong balls from his mouth, and played “Shining Star” on his saw to the accompaniment of Ms. Yamazaki’s piano.
Next, the children joined him in juggling with colorful cloths. The children were shouting with laughter as they got to know Guy-san better. Afterwards, Guy-san performed for the second graders.
The foundation is accepting requests from schools and kindergartens who would like to receive a visit. For more information, contact Ms. Keiko Fukumoto, Smile Ambassador Coordinator at the foundation.
(E-mail: keiko@tylershineon.org)
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