I wish to take this opportunity and introduce myself. My name is Dominik Di Leo. I was born to a catholic, south-Italian, four members’ family in Männedorf, Switzerland on March 22, 1974. I grew up at the golden coast of the Lake-Zurich, where my parents immigrated almost 40 years ago. They moved to Switzerland wishing to earn enough money to build solid foundation for their family. Consequently, they started to build a house in my father’s birth town, Rocca Imperiale, Italy. After 25 years, three built houses and a jewellery store, my parents had accomplished their goal and decided to return to Italy.

Unfortunately, it came totally different because instead of moving to our new house, my father asked my mother for a divorce. I remember exactly, like a film memorised in my mind, that moment. After a day in school, I walked to the living room and saw my mother. A woman who was always strong and full of life, was now sitting destroyed. Her face was full of desperation and tears were falling down on her weakly hands. Perplexed, I asked her what happened but she could not speak; she had no strength to speak.

The following years were very hard for each of us. It was like the world under us felt apart. My mother, my sister and I felt lost, angry, and desperate. We could not understand my father’s decision. After this experience of sufferance and helplessness, belief in people and family vanished in me.

The life went on and pain was lessening. My life was pretty good despite the difficulties caused by the divorce. I started my vocational school, had relationships, travelled around the world, enjoyed life, but always with this lack of trust in people. At one point, I realised that I stopped caring for all other people except my immediate family. Whatever was happening in the world did not really matter for me. However, deep inside, I felt I was searching for something different and valuable. For that reason, I decided to take a longer break, change my surrounding, and have enough time to re-evaluate my life.

In 2004, my internal search took me to the splendid city of Vancouver. I have decided to move to Canada, change my life and continue my higher education. It was there that I met members who told me about philosophy of Reiyukai Canada, an organisation with a mission to help less fortunate people. I was really fascinated with what Canadian members do for people that are forgotten from the society. They take care of the homeless people who do not have all the privileges as other fellow Canadians; people whose thoughts focus on what, and if they will find to eat, and on how to survive outside during a cold winter.

Through Reiyukai Canada and its beautiful work I started to recognize how small my world was, and how much we individually can do and change. I got involved in their projects, and started to regularly help with the Soup Kitchen - a humanitarian activity where Reiyukai volunteers go, prepare and serve food to homeless people. By doing this, Reiyukai members make this direct help to homeless people who are constantly challenged in life and who no longer have their homes, family, and dreams. I have learned that it is possible to change someone’s reality and put back smiles to a face. And with every returned smile this people have given me, I could see a glimpse of hope in them. It was like... You know how you have a ‘blind spot’ in the rear-view mirror of your car, so you can look but yet you cannot see the whole picture? Well, Soup Kitchen project opened my eyes and allowed me to see this other side of life. Something I did not encounter while living in Switzerland.

Until today, I have volunteered many times in this project. I have also participated in other Reiyukai Canada’s projects where I have met many wonderful members and spent time exchanging experiences and working together. I have participated in the project organised this past September where we collected donations (through silent auction and raffle prizes) that helped us raise money that is put to the Soup Kitchen’s account and will be used to improve menus by adding fruit, vegetables and protein to dinners we prepare for homeless and mentally challenged individuals. I have also had an opportunity to travel to Japan and participate in the Mirokusan gatherings. Lastly, I intend to get involved in other Reiyukai Canada’s projects, such as social and sport activities, and the S-E contest that offers to Canadian youth an opportunity to speak out and be heard. Indeed, Reiyukai has influenced my life and made me want to be a better person.

And now... I am here in Asuncion, telling you about my life, meeting and listening to others member’s experiences. I can honestly say that I have changed. I can say that today I believe, today I have dreams, today I feel I can love again. I also believe I can truly help other people, and not only dream about a world where there are no differences. Reiyukai Canada’s members and their projects opened my eyes, opened my soul. I want to be a better person and I want improve in every day of my life.

Thank you Reiyukai Canada, thank you to opening my eyes and giving me the force and opportunity to make a difference in life.

Dominik, - devoted and honoured member of Reiyukai Canada

Mr. Miyamoto, Dominik Di Leo and myself, Ivana Vuckovic were guests of the Reiyukai Paraguay’s Youth Group who celebrated its 25^th Anniversary.

My trip started with a mischief at the Paraguayan border, where I was ‘quarantined’ as a Canadian without a visa for Paraguay. Apparently, by this new regulation that I had no information of (even though we have asked several times), Canada and US are pretty much the only countries in the world that need visa for Paraguay! Puzzling, isn’t it? So, when I landed and got off the plane, I was simply not allowed to go further.

After having to go back to Sao Paulo, get visa, and rush back to Paraguay, I finally arrived to Asunción on Dec 02, missing most of that day’s activities. However, I was lucky enough to arrive on time for an excellent barbecue dinner with a show (El Ciervo Blanco).

Our Saturday (Dec 03) started with the tour around the city centre after which we returned to a hotel and worked on preparations for the Reiyukai International Festival that was held in the evening. Paraguayan youth club has done an amazing job organising a very fun, entertaining as well as educational evening. We heard several speeches, participated in our own presentations, and watched excellent performances. My favourite one was a Japanese drums show. I was truly impressed by it and thought it to be the best one I have seen so far (and I have seen quite a few).

The next day we hopped in a bus and left for Iguacu to see the World’s most beautiful waterfall. During our trip, we had an opportunity to talk to our hosts as well as to participants of the Festival. I have learned a tremendous amount about the country and how people manage to live in it. I was also very touched to hear about different struggles our Paraguayan friends had to go through every day - something most of people in Canada do not even think about. Not many of us wake up at 4am to go and work on a field, then go home only to change and then rush to another job. And, as this is not enough, this wonderful young man was taking afternoon classes at the University, studying Law. This should make us rethink whenever we want to say: Oh, I cannot do this any more. Hence, Iguacu falls did not only mesmerisedme by its beauty, but also created a new admiration for people and appreciation for all I have in my life.

We have spent part of our final day at the Paraguayan capitol city of Asunción at the Reiyukai office where first we had gathering, and then enjoyed THE best barbecue ever! This was the first time I have tried boar meat and I must admit that I absolutely loved it. There were many members that day at the centre and some have brought with them their adorable children. It felt good to have more time and talk to everyone, including participants and dear friends fromBrazil, Bolivia, and Japan.

On December 07, international participants were leaving. It was very emotional time for everyone as many, many of members from Paraguay came to the airport to bid their farewells. Even though I was happy as I was leaving with many new friends in my heart, tears were going down as I knew it may be a while before we meet again.

Even though we left Paraguay, our trip did not end there and we continued first to Argentina and the Brazil where I saw again one of my best friends in the whole world: Mauricio. Mauricio, who is a member of Reiyukai Brazil and works for their office, was kind enough to travel with his sister and us to a beautiful town Bonito where we have spent some amazing quality time together.

Indeed, this trip will stay in my heart and mind for eternity as I have learned much about myself, world, and our possibilities.

Lastly, I wish to thank Mr. Miyamoto for giving me this opportunity and for supporting members of Reiyukai Canada every step of the way. His kindness and good heart is inspiration to all.