CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
I’m excited today to introduce you to Higa-Yanami Sumie. She’s the first non-military-related spouse I’ve had the chance to interview and profile for you. Sumie is one of those people we need more of in this world — A person who sees a need in the community around her and instead of sitting on her laurels, gets out there and does something about it.
She is a Japanese-American woman who moved to Okinawa with her medical missionary parents when she was four years old. But she returned to the US for high school and college and so is in the unusual position to truly understand both Okinawa and America. Three years ago, she and her husband (who is also Japanese-American) chose to return to Okinawa, where he is an internal medicine physician at the Adventist Medical Center.
In November, she gave birth to her first child and quickly realized how “mother-unfriendly” many places on island can be. Small bathrooms, stairs, smoking, no changing tables or child-protective seats in the bathrooms all made her feel that having a baby is like having a physical handicap! And as a nurse who had long worked with children with disabilities, she knew something had to be done.
So in April this year, she created the International Mothers & Kids Network (IMKN) to help other mothers like herself raise awareness and receive attention in and from their communities. IMKN is a non-profit organization whose goal is to provide a network creating connections between women and mothers, service organizations, small businesses, healthcare providers, etc, so that women can truly live full lives of abundant joy. She believes these connections should transcend boundaries such as language, culture, religion, nationality or social group.
Sumie told me that this really is her dream job and so I had to know more about how her life journey brought her to this place!!
1. What previous work have you done that led you to point where creating the IMKN seemed right?
I graduated from Loma Linda University Nursing School in 1998 (editors note: small world as my dad and many of my friends went to medical/dental school there!) and worked as a nurse in the pediatric unit and child psychiatric unit at Mount Sinai Hospital (New York) and at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific (Hawaii).
I also spent a six-month internship at the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential to learn about their rehabilitation program for children with disabilities and learning problems. There I translated when families from Japan came. In Hawaii, I went on to receive my MBA with a concentration in Management from Hawaii Pacific University.
Currently, I’m the Marketing Coordinator for Yaedake Best Life Center, Yaedake Bakery, and Bestlife Genmai Bentoshop (editor again: see Dasha’s post about her experience WOOFing at the Yaedake Center – Sumie coordinates the WOOFing program as well).
2. Is this all a full-time job for you?
I don’t have regular hours since I work from home, but it is pretty much a full time job. Luckily, I can take my 6 month old daughter with me wherever I go!
3. How are you paid for your work?
I work under a partnership bartering and exchange system receiving organic fruits and vegetable from Yaedake Best Life Center, breads from Yaedake Bakery and bento from Best Life Bento Shop. I use this kind of “payment” with most of my work.
4. Even though you are not directly connected to the military, the majority of Americans on Okinawa are. What have learned about the military while living here?
I’ve learned that being a woman and a mother crosses many boundaries – whether cultural, national or political.
5. What have you learned about yourself and Japanese culture through your work?
I’ve learned how many Japanese woman and mothers are interested in connecting with people of other cultures/nationalities but that time limits and the language barrier makes this very difficult. As for myself, I had no idea this would be my dream job since initially it started as a necessity for me as a new mother.
6. What do you love about your job?
I absolutely love my job because I get to just be myself and new potential comes rolling to me like meeting new friends, eating out, and traveling. But what gives me the most reward is when I see another person become happier because he/she is processing toward his/her dreams and goals.
7. Do you feel like you are making a difference in other’s island experience because of your job?
Absolutely! I can network with local Okinawan mothers and Japanese mothers who have moved from mainland Japan. I can network with mothers who are affiliated with the military and with everyone in my past living around the world.
8. Do you feel like you have improved your experience of Oki by having this job?
Yes. Because I am a US citizen, I did not have the opportunity to be part of local community services, but I also was not part of the US military system. Through this job, I’m able to bridge many of those previous barriers.
9. What is the most stressful part of your job? Best part of your job?
I wish I have more hands because currently I am doing this on my own — with help from family and friends. The best part of my job is being truly myself — a woman and a mother.
10. Website/phone number for your office/work?
Website: www.internationalmothersandkids.org
Tel/Fax: 098-945-5818
Cell: 090-6857-5454
What a beautiful and inspiring woman and story! These ‘real life’ stories are just so encouraging! Thanks to you both Sumie and Joelle!
Another beautiful post Joelle! Sumie, I wish I had gotten to know you when I first got here!! I hope I can meet you before we leave Okinawa this summer! You’re an inspiration to us all.
If any of you that have programs for kids or sell items for kids would be interested in a booth at the fair this weekend, please contact Sumie right away!
WOW! I didn’t realize you were doing a “works” profile on Sumi! What a happy surprise to see it here today.
Sumi is my friend, and I am so excited to see her workshop get exposure here – what a fantastic way to build a bridge between the cultures that co-exist (but rarely mix) here on the island. I strongly encourage everyone out there to come out on Sunday – you won’t regret it!
Sumie sounds amazing. I love what she is doing. How inspirational. I hope she has a lot of success with the mother’s day fair!