![]() ![]() "She wanted her students to know they too can do that." "Taylor was following her own dream, learning the Japanese language, going to the country to teach children," he says. Andy says this same belief forms the basis of the scholarship program. Taylor's motto as a teacher was "Follow your dream" and many of her former students say she always encouraged them to do what they love. Students who have received the scholarships from the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund Half were set to graduate in a month's time, with jobs already secured. When I visited the school in February, 11 scholarship recipients were enrolled in classes. The fund has also been awarding scholarships to the Sendai YMCA Hotel and Confectionary school to students from families that are struggling financially. They are sets of English books with wooden shelves, specially made by craftsman Shinichi Endo, who lost three children in the tsunami. In the nine years since, the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund has provided fifteen schools in Ishinomaki with "Taylor Bunko," or Taylor's Libraries. ![]() It was during his trip to Ishinomaki that Andy got the idea of launching a fund in his daughter's name to "help students, families, and schools recover." So we felt like we should fill that role." "We knew Taylor would want to help them if she was still alive," he says. Andy says it was an inspiring experience. This was despite the fact that they were dealing with their own tragedy, grieving their own family members. He says many people came up to him to express condolences. ![]() It was a difficult trip but he says the overwhelming kindness he was greeted with helped him make it through. Taylor Anderson in Ishinomaki (Photo: Anderson family)Īndy flew to Ishinomaki to identify the body. A body had been found and it was likely his daughter's. A few days later, as Andy was getting ready to leave for Japan to search for Taylor himself, he got a call from the US embassy in Tokyo. They wanted to spread news in Japan about their missing daughter, in the hope that it would help her be found. Right after the tsunami, I flew to Richmond, Virginia to interview the Andersons. She had been teaching English to school children there as part of the Japanese government-sponsored JET program. ![]() Their 24-year-old daughter, Taylor, went missing in Ishinomaki, one of the cities hit hardest by the tsunami. Upon seeing the bracelet, her parents were able to identify their daughter and remember the day that she had been given the charm by her fiance.In 2011, the Andersons experienced unspeakable tragedy. It was not easy to recognize her body as the waters had rendered her naked and pure, save for one small bracelet. Three weeks later they found Miki's body. She sat there and repeated the words of life until it was no longer possible. How much more would the waters rise? How much more could her voice bring the guiding angels to the townspeople? So she sat in her room on the third floor of the city building. There was no questioning Miki's dedication to her job and the responsibility of her town.Īnd the waters did not stop and so Miki continued her steadfast courage in the face of the unknown. And Miki's voice kept on, guiding stragglers to safety, to life. The man-made structures, weakened by the earthquake, toppled underneath the unyielding force of the tsunami. The first of seven waves began to pound and overtake the coastline. Townsfolk took heed of her warnings and moved to the heights, away from the coastline, the pending disaster that had still yet to materialize. Her job was simple, but possibly the most important job of any time, of any place, and for anyone hearing her voice. Her voice echoed over the town, helping guide people to the safety of the heights. So when the earthquake hit, and the tsunami warning went off, Miki moved into a role she was well prepared for. This was no glamorous job and the Japanese had good warning systems in place, the coastline was well fortified with man-made sea walls and the towns people had practiced the tsunami warnings countless times. Miki Endo sat at her office on Madoing her daily work in her job in the emergency preparedness office. Being so early in the morning and in the trip, I was expecting a story of hope, of bravery, of dedication, and it was. After a quick review of the day's plans, she paused to share with us a story. As we boarded the bus this morning and set off for Sendai, our guide bade us good morning. ![]()
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