At the recent JALT (Japan Association of Language Teaching) conference, Seibo partnered with students from Hikarigaoka Girls’ High School in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture to serve freshly brewed coffee from Malawi.
The students actively communicated in English with attendees and introduced the sustainable support system behind the coffee. As members of their school’s ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) Club, they explained how this initiative helps provide school meals for children in Malawi through a social business model.
Thanks to their efforts, coffee sales during the event were equivalent to supporting approximately 1,300 school meals in Malawi.
Voices from the Students
“Unlike local markets or SDGs forums we usually attend, this time we were able to interact directly with people from many different countries. It was a new and valuable experience, and I was especially moved by our first-year students doing their best to communicate in English, even though it wasn’t easy for them.”
“Interestingly, I noticed that people from overseas seemed more eager to listen to us and support our cause than Japanese attendees. One comment that stood out was from someone who said, ‘It doesn’t feel like I’m buying coffee to make a donation—it feels like I’m making a donation and receiving coffee in return.’ I found that perspective really beautiful. It made me realize how a shift in mindset can make people feel more positive about giving.”
“Until now, our message at Hikarigaoka has been: ‘Buying this coffee helps provide school meals to children in Malawi.’ But moving forward, we’d also like to try presenting it as: ‘When you donate, you receive this coffee in gratitude.’”
“This experience reminded me that more important than perfect English is the desire to communicate. Watching our younger students try so hard, I was once again convinced that even if your words aren’t perfect, your sincerity will connect with people. I hope to continue participating in such activities and grow through deeper engagement with society.”