While our books contain Japanese cultural aspects, it is made for elderly of all races and ethnicities. One beautiful example of this was when our volunteer Marisela interviewed her mother Maria Camberos, a thyroid cancer survivor. Marisela’s son joined the process of filling out the book, and they all spoke in both Spanish and English.
They heard about Maria’s story growing up in a Mexican village and coming to the U.S. as a young bride where she eventually raised four college graduates with her husband. It took tremendous perseverance.
Marisela commented, “I thought I knew all of her stories, but she surprised me with a few I’d never heard before,” said Marisela. “I wanted my son to hear them from her while we still have her.” Using the book, Marisela’s family was able to learn the inspiring story of their loving Maria.