A Studenty Weekend

On the weekend of the 12th of January, Scotland area was visited by Koichi Samuels, the young men's student division leader for SGI-UK. Over his two-day trip, he, Alessandro and I visited around a dozen YMD members across Scotland, offering words of encouragement and forming bonds of friendship, as well as encouraging many of them to attend the upcoming Student Division Training Course.

From Edinburgh airport, we traveled to Kincardine to see the Trevett brothers before heading to Sauchie near Alloa to visit a young college student who has only recently started practicing. Then it was back to Edinburgh to meet with two young men followed by a walk around the city centre to afford Koichi the opportunity to take in some of the sights (albeit briefly). We concluded a long day with a truly joyful meeting in East Renfrewshire at Jason Steele's home, attended by several students and HQ leaders. It was the perfect end to an inspirational day.

The next morning, we were off bright and early through the snow to Aberdeen to visit one final young man. Then it was back to Edinburgh airport for Koichi to catch his flight back to Belfast, bidding Scotland a fond farewell.

I feel so fortunate to have been able to support Koichi in this activity and, further, to have been asked to be the new young men's student division representative for Scotland area. I feel this visit and new appointment marks a bright new beginning for the student division of Scotland who will become the driving force for kosen-rufu in the country. Through friendship and mutual support, we can build a strong student division of capable members, leading the way in growing a youthful SGI in Scotland.

The Student Division Training Course is taking place from 1st to 3rd of March. We are determined to have a really great turn-out from Scotland and I am doing a lot of daimoku to this end. If you feel you can support with daimoku, it would be greatly appreciated; please let me know and I will pass it on to all the students.

Here's to a great start to 2013, the Year of Victory for a Youthful SGI.