Our Changemakers Journey of Impact, Connections, and New Beginnings, in Japan
Day 1 & 2: Reflection, Connection, and Cultural Immersion
Samir arrived in Tokyo fresh from a filming project with Earth Company in Cambodia. His first few days in Japan allowed us to reflect together on his journey since becoming an Impact Hero, and to discuss follow-ups for the latest crowdfunding project we worked together on. This time to pause, reflect, and connect was profound, especially during a touching meeting with a donor whose generosity funded a second soap-making machine—an act that truly embodied impact we can spark just by sharing the Impact Heroes’ stories.
Samir’s first cultural experience in Japan was equally impactful. We visited the fascinating Parasite Museum, where Samir, whose work revolves around hygiene, was able to deepen his understanding of global health issues from a different perspective. And what better way to immerse in local culture than a visit to a public bath (onsen) followed by a meal at a cozy, “Midnight Diner”-style restaurant? These experiences offered a balanced mix of work and cultural immersion.
Day 3: The Japan Trip, Starts!
Samir began the day with a visit to the Meiji Shrine, where towering trees and quiet spaces offered a moment of reflection amidst the city’s hustle and bustle. This was followed by a stroll through Harajuku, where Japan’s vibrant youth culture was massively on full display. The combination of calm and chaos felt reflective of the balance changemakers and Impact Heroes navigate daily.
Later in the evening, Surya Karki, our second Impact Hero joining this year’s Japan trip, made his arrival from Nepal. Together with Samir, we welcomed both heroes for a dinner to officially kick-off the 2024 Japan trip. Over dinner, they both shared stories from their journeys—their struggles, achievements, and dreams for what’s next. As the two Impact Heroes connected, we all felt the synergy of their shared commitment, igniting a spark for the week’s events.
Day 4: Key Partnerships and New Opportunities
The fourth day of the trip was dedicated to building relationships with Earth Company’s partners in Japan. Samir and Surya met with Hinoki, a long standing supporter of Earth Company. Samir showed his appreciation for the tremendous support Hinoki gave that has made so much of his work possible. Furthermore, the heroes exchanged ideas that felt like the beginning of something powerful. These meetings were essential in nurturing the partnerships that would allow our Impact Heroes to continue growing their initiatives.
Later we brought Surya to Everest International School, a vibrant learning environment for the Nepalese community in Japan. Meeting with their principal and fellow school co-founder, sparked meaningful conversations about the future of education in Nepal. Surya’s passion for education was evident as he spoke about his goal of building 700 schools in rural Nepal by 2030, a vision that resonated deeply with the international school’s leadership team. Fingers crossed for fruitful collaboration between Surya and the school!
A surprise reconnection happened with the Goi Peace Foundation, an organization that had initially planned to honor Surya with an award in 2022. However due to visa issues, Surya wasn’t able to receive the award at the time, but thankfully, this meeting reopened doors for future collaboration and support!
The day ended on a celebratory note with dinner at Peace Kitchen Tokyo, where Earth Company’s Japan- and Bali-based team members feasted together with the Impact Heroes. The food, prepared by Chef Higa (Executive Chef of Mana Earthly Paradise) was a nourishment for both the body and spirit, and the conversations had with the Impact Heroes helped anchor our mission towards regeneration amongst all team members.
Day 5: Inspiration, Preparation, and Celebration
Samir and Surya began their day with an inspiring meeting with Mr. Miyagi, the former CEO of Entrepreneurial Training for Innovative Communities (ETIC) and widely regarded as the pioneer of social entrepreneurship in Japan (second from the right in the picture). It was clear that he had been eagerly looking forward to this encounter.
As Samir and Surya shared their stories of unwavering dedication and resilience in their respective missions, we could see how deeply their journeys resonated with him. The room seemed to come alive with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility, a testament to the profound impact of their work and the power of human connection.
For the rest of the afternoon, Samir and Surya spent their time making preparations for the following day—where they were to present to an audience of over 150 of Earth Company’s supporters and potential collaborators, as well as inspired individuals who are keen to venture on their own regenerative journeys.
The day ended on a joyful note as we celebrated the birthday of Impact Hero 2022 Cohort member, Hong, who was also recently released from wrongful imprisonment back in June 2023. In a playful nod to Hong’s signature pink hair, the team sprayed their hair pink—just for the day! More about that here.
Day 6: Earth Company Anniversary – Tokyo Pop-Up Event!
October 6 marked the highlight of the Japan trip—Earth Company’s 10th Anniversary Tokyo Pop-Up event. Both Samir and Surya gave compelling presentations, sharing not only their successes but the ongoing challenges they face in their work. Their words resonated with the audience, who were inspired to engage even more actively in the journey towards regenerative futures. The night left everyone charged with purpose and a renewed sense of community.
More detailed recap of the event can be found here.
Day 7: A Farewell and a New Beginning
Day 7 was rather bittersweet, as it marked Samir’s last day on this trip. Over a quiet farewell lunch, the team reflected on Samir’s experiences so far. As Samir boarded his bus to the airport, it felt less like a farewell and more like a “see you soon,” as everyone looked forward to what came next for his important work. This is actually the last year of Earth Company’s 3-years of customized support for Samir.
Meanwhile, Surya continued his engagements, giving presentations at the British School in Tokyo. Both students (aged 7-13) and teachers were eager to learn about his work in Nepal and asked insightful questions about the challenges students face in rural areas. Their empathy and curiosity were heartwarming, and it was clear that Surya’s story resonated deeply with the younger generation.
Later in the day, the team and Surya met with Tilak Malla, the representative of the Nepali newspaper in Japan. This connection opened new doors for Surya to engage with the Nepalese community in Japan, further extending the reach of his work and mission.
Day 8-10: Looking Ahead to the Future
The last few days of Surya’s trip were dedicated to strengthening partnerships and laying out plans for the next 2.5 years of support for him. The Impact Heroes support team spent time reviewing the progress of Surya’s mission to build 700 schools in Nepal by 2030, breaking down the funding needs and strategizing on how they could rally more support.
A visit to UWC ISAK Japan, an international boarding school in Nagano, also offered new opportunities for collaboration. Surya met with a number of high school students working on projects related to Nepal, where he agreed to support their efforts. What’s more, Surya had the opportunity to meet with UWC ISAK Japan’s co-founder and chair of the board, who is keen to partner up with Surya and UWS Nepal, and help in opening more schools together!
On Surya’s very last day, the team met with Nippon Foundation and explored different ways of partnering with UWS Nepal. In the future, Nippon Foundation has said that they would include Surya’s schools in their regular clothing donation program. This partnership would provide much-needed resources for the students Surya serves in Nepal—especially those that were impacted by the flash floods recently. After promising to meet again on the next field trip to Nepal, we concluded a very fruitful trip, filled with gratitude and excitement for the future.
Conclusion
This journey with Samir and Surya was a powerful reminder of the importance of community, connection, and shared purpose. From the generosity of donors to the unending support of Earth Company’s partners, this trip was filled with moments of deep impact and reflection.
As we look forward to the future, we remain committed to supporting changemakers like Samir and Surya, who are leading the way towards a more regenerative and equitable world. We are now in the process of selecting the Impact Heroes Class of 2025, so please stay tuned!