“I am Dimishi Midori Jayagoda, the first Sri Lankan prize winner in the Oita Prefectural Education Day Essay Competition in Oita Prefecture, Japan. Born in Japan, I am a Sri Lankan citizen. The essay competition is held annually in Oita Prefecture and welcomes participants from elementary school to the general public. I won second place in the sixth-grade elementary school category.
According to 2024 data, there are 260 elementary schools and 67,940 elementary school students in this prefecture. I am very proud to be the first Sri Lankan winner.
I would like to convey my gratitude to Japan for its continued support of my education, as well as to Sri Lanka for granting me my Sri Lankan citizenship. As a child raised by a single parent, Japan has been helping me with my education since I was three years old, and my mother and I are living here very happily.
Although I was born and bred in Japan, ‘hometown’ means a lot to me. While ‘hometown’ is typically where you are born and raised, for me, Yufu City is my hometown—the place where I have been growing up since I was two years old and where I feel very comfortable.
Yufu City is the third most famous city for hot springs in Oita Prefecture. My mother and I have been enjoying every season in Yufu City: the beautiful pink sakura blossoms in spring, the cool Yufu River Gorge and the refreshing, flashing water of Meisui waterfalls in summer, the colourful autumn leaves around Lake Kinrin and the juicy, sweet pears in autumn, and the pure white Mount Yufu and warm hot springs in winter. It is no exaggeration to say that Yufu City has been a lifesaver for my mother and me.
I have always wondered how I could say thank you to my hometown, Yufu City. With this thought in mind, I advanced to the sixth grade of elementary school this year and was selected to the children’s parliament as a representative from my school, which resulted in this essay. I will be attending Junior High School next year, and while I may not be able to do big things, I want to share my thoughts as a Sri Lankan. If I can change at least someone’s mind to be positive, that’s all I wish.
I can only say, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way. Don’t forget the people who help you, don’t hesitate to say thank you and sorry.
Keep your wishes in mind and stay positive, and you will find a way to achieve them one day.”
