I do not know of all the allegations or thoughts that people are having during this tumultuous time. But I do wish for you to see a face, a representative, of the youth that are members of the Family International. I am only one of the faces; but I do make up a part, and so I pray that what I say will make a difference in the way you decide to view current matters.

My name is Tomoko Matsuoka; I am 21 years old and a full time missionary with the Family International in Tokyo, Japan, where I daily lead a fulfilling life. My parents, both missionaries to this day, joined in their early twenties. Thus, I was raised in a missionary community where I was home-schooled for the most part of my learning years. I say “learning years” as through home schooling I was able to finish ahead of my peers and graduate from my high school courses at the age of 15; two and a half years ahead of my contemporaries.

One issue I wish to address and a truth I wish to make fundamentally clear is that in no way have I had an underprivileged or abusive up-bringing within the Family International. (The only reason that I am addressing this unreality, is that you, the reader, may have heard or read some un-truths concerning members of the Family International; and it seems the words “underprivileged” and “abused” have been flung about. If you have not heard of these falsehoods, feel blessed. That is one less distortion to deal with.)

When thinking of the words “underprivileged” and “abused” the following came to mind: Underprivileged would be the 2 billion people in the world that cannot read. Abusive would be the 11 million children, ages 4 to 14, in Pakistan that work in often brutal and squalid conditions to keep the country’s factories operating. Underprivileged would be the 300 children under the age of five that die out of every 1,000 born in Nigeria. Underprivileged would be the 1.3 billion people in the world (yes, our planet) that have no access to clean water. Underprivileged and abused would be the 120,000 child soldiers in Africa.

Was I raised, perhaps, different from you? -Yes. Under-privileged or abused? I think not. What do you think?

I appreciate the concern of those that are truly concerned. But now I appeal to you, the concerned reader, whoever you are, whatever your opinion: Please show the same concern to those who awake today with their loved ones no longer by their side. Please give your help, your time, and your thoughts to those that really do need your help. There is a starving world waiting for your help. I ask that you do not waste your sympathy on me, or those of my peers that have had such a privileged up bringing. I do not need sympathy. I am alive. I am living the life I love. I wish you the same kind of happiness that fills my every day.

I do not know what the future holds for me. Though I earnestly hope that 20 years from now it will see me, still, giving my life in service to others: I could only be so lucky.

Thank you for listening.

p.s. If you are truly concerned about the welfare of others, please visit the below sites and find out how you can make a difference in the lives of the real underprivileged and abused children of the World.

http://flamesofpoverty.tripod.com/lossofinnocence.htm
http://www.globalissues.org/

Tamoko Matsuoko is a second-generation member of The Family International