​My name is Hibiki Sato and I have been a part of TASSEL since 8th grade. I joined TASSEL with a heartfelt desire to share my knowledge and help others who live in less fortunate conditions but possess a curious and eager mind to learn. I began as a VSee instructor, teaching phonics to Cambodian students over video calls. Despite the challenges they face in their daily lives, they consistently displayed excitement, enthusiasm, and readiness to learn. I was truly inspired by the students’ efforts and the growth they demonstrated each season. Just through my beginning years as a part of TASSEL, I felt the transformative impact of education and the significance of every positive action in driving meaningful change.

 

But recently, I have had the amazing opportunity to contribute to TASSEL’s actions from a new perspective by connecting with a Khmer teacher and teaching her speaking skills through video call. Through our engaging conversations during the lessons, where she shared stories about her students and the TASSEL community, as well as through her dedicated efforts she put into her homework, I was moved by her strong passion for education, and teaching and helping the Cambodian students. This was another very special experience for me where I was able to build a meaningful relationship with a inspiring local Khmer teacher and gain a valuable insight into TASSEL from her. Her great affection for the children and villagers were truly inspiring, motivating me to continue supporting them in the best way possible.

 

But undoubtedly the most life-changing experience of my years with TASSEL was when I had the fortunate opportunity of participating on the summer trip for the first time. The 10 days I spent in Cambodia the summer of 2024 completely transformed my heart and my mind. To be frank, words cannot fully express the profound impact the summer trip had on me. I met so many students and teachers who shared so much love with us despite their tragic backgrounds, from the moment we arrived at the TASSEL schools to our final classes and heartfelt goodbyes.

 

As a first-time participant in the summer trip, visiting the families of the students and elderlies that TASSEL serves was one of the most impactful, shocking, and heart breaking experiences. While I had been aware of their poverty stricken living conditions through hearing or reading about their life stories, seeing the appalling living conditions of the students and families that TASSEL serves with my own eyes and hearing about their horrendous life stories first hand was an entirely different and transformative experience for me. Children just as old as 11 or 12 years who should be focused on going to school and spending quality time with their friends and families instead spend hours each day collecting water from rivers and hunting for food in bushes, mountains, or rivers. Their small, damaged homes lack basic necessities and many have lost their parents—some past away, some abandoned their own children—leaving them without the love and support every child deserves.

 

Yet, despite the immense layers of suffering that the TASSEL students endure, their drive and enthusiasm to learn and participate in class persists every day. Through visiting the families that TASSEL serves, I deeply felt the message of “hope” that lies behind our actions. Although the students and families are facing unimaginable hardships and suffering throughout their lives, they continue to hold hope, look out for the positive, and continue to live. TASSEL provides this hope through education, family visits by the Khmer teachers, the senior center, distributing rice and medicine, and creating a place of love. Despite the daily struggles they face to support their family, the children come to TASSEL, even if it means walking for hours through harsh conditions. They do so because they genuinely love TASSEL and are happy to learn English, surrounded by kind Khmer teachers, classmates, and us volunteers. I was especially touched while playing volleyball with a girl whose family we visited. Although she was deeply sad and broke into tears during the family visit, at the TASSEL school, she repeatedly looked up at me with a warm smile, gripping my hand, and looked happy to be at TASSEL with us volunteers. This message of hope and love that TASSEL embodies has deeply inspired me to contribute even more, striving to continue providing something that the students and families can look forward to and shine a light onto their lives.

 

My journey with TASSEL has been a life-changing experience for me, and I know it will be the same for you as well. So be a part of TASSEL if you want to share a heart full of love, passion, and dedication to make a meaningful difference on the lives of those who need it the most.