“I may never be someone of authority, prestige or affluence, but if, at the end of my life, it could be said that I have done my best to help others find happiness, peace, and God’s eternal love, I will count my life a success.”

To whom it may concern,

My name is Nana Harada and I live in Japan. I have lived here for the whole of my seventeen years and am currently learning secretarial skills.
Having heard of the negative and derogative things being said against the Family, and therefore against myself, I feel compelled to share my opinion and perspective on my life in the Family.

First of all, I would like to clearly state that to say the Family International is a detrimental environment to children and their mental and physical wellbeing is both completely absurd and inaccurate. I have never been abused, deprived or mistreated in any way. I have enjoyed a happy and fulfilling childhood with many friends and have had parents and teachers who were not only interested in giving me the best education possible, but who truly loved me, cared for me, taught me godly morals, and helped me when I was going through rough times.

I am truly grateful to my parents who cared for my wellbeing and intellectual progress, and who poured their time and energy into raising me and teaching me all that I needed to learn and wanted to study. It greatly aggravates me when people, who know nothing at all, or whose thoughts have been warped by bitterness and resentment, maliciously slander the Family communities as a dangerous environment, when in reality it is a haven of safety from such dangers and is one of the best places to be.

I am aware that there are those who say that I am ignorant and deprived of a “normal” life because I have never experienced life outside our communes, and to their statements I can only say that I do not wish for a normal life because I have a life that is above normal. When I look around at the world and compare myself to my peers, many of whom are deprived, abused, ignored and who turn to drugs, violence, and crime for a solution, I cannot help but consider myself privileged. Privileged not only to have the basic commodities of life in the way of shelter, food, clothing, education, but to also have the spiritual and mental support, love and encouragement of people who love me unconditionally, and of true friendship, an invaluable quality that is sorely missing in the selfish, manipulative, hate-filled world of today.

There is but a small percentage of people in the world who can say that they have even the basic necessities of life, and fewer still in that small percentage of “fortunate” people who can truly say that they possess the priceless possessions of true, unselfish love, happiness and friendship, all qualities that are present in the Family.

Would any sane person trade such a wonderful life as this for anything less? Life is not perfect, I grant you that. It never was and never will be, but to be part of those who have given their lives to spread the wonderful message of God’s love and who give their lives to help others is the best life there is. I live for a cause that I am fully convinced is right and worth living for. Can you say the same?

Nana Harada is a second-generation member of The Family International