Thank you to my God Mother

I am Lisha, and never in my life did I imagine that I would be able to visit Japan. For my undergraduate studies, I received a partial scholarship sponsored by an NGO called the JKSK Foundation. At that time, the CEO was Mistu Kimata. She was a woman who had grown through her own struggles after the Second World War and became an incredibly wise human being. ( She began her journey by being an entrepreneur at the age of 15 and how she made JKSK foundation)

Her vision for education and her dedication to supporting women’s rights were lifelong dreams. Even at the age of 79, she was full of hope, determination, and purpose. She truly believed in creating opportunities for women through education.

Going back to my story, she has been such a blessing in my life. We first met in the summer of 2016 in Bangladesh during a networking event. It was only a brief meeting, but from then on we continued to email each other, sharing updates about our goals and what we were working toward.

In the summer of 2017, four other girls and I were given the opportunity to intern with the JKSK Foundation in Japan. The internship mainly focused on public relations and building partnerships with different organizations. Every day was filled with surprises such as meeting inspiring people who were working toward women’s rights and their initiatives to promote the right to education made me feel incredibly passionate.

Although Kimata San (Used as a respect a in Japan) is no longer with us, I still think of her and pray for her. She was a woman who truly lived for what she believed in and gave such golden opportunity though their financial support for my Undergraduate.

To all the girls out there, even if you cannot find your Kimata, try to become one, for yourself. Do something for yourself. Educate yourself a little more. Unlearn what no longer benefits you. And support your fellow XX chromosomes, so that together we can make the world a better place.

#GiveToGain