Fumitaka Terada - North Florida YMD Region Ldr.

To be honest, I felt stress when SGI started talking about financial contributions. I wanted to contribute to SGI through other means, but not by financial contribution.

In 2004, I attended the YMD conference at the Florida Nature and Culture Center (FNCC) for the first time. I was a graduate student and financially struggling. I had applied for financial aid and scholarships to reduce the financial burden since I started studying in the US. However, I had never received any financial aid or scholarships.

During the YMD conference, Sensei gave all the participants $50. I was concerned about the $50, but I thought I could do financial contribution with the $50. I contributed the $50 right away. I did not expect anything in return. I just felt appreciation being apart of this organization and sharing life with other fellow YMD members at the conference.

I came back from the conference with joy and a refreshed determination. I checked my mail box the day I came back from the conference. Unexpectedly I found two letters, which were two scholarships in the mail box. I was so happy and could not express a sense of appreciation at that moment. Fortunately, I have continued receiving scholarships since then until I finished graduate school.

I felt from this experience that I should make financial contributions when I need money most. This is because I really need to challenge myself to understand the spirit of contribution. I still financially struggle; therefore I feel this is the time for me to challenge financial contribution. I thought about all the members sincerely contributing SGI in anyway they can. I will fully challenge myself to contribute SGI anyway I can, along with all other members.