Being‚ learning‚ and living in Japan would not only be a lesson in the KAIZEN methodology and philosophy‚ but it would become the most honest way to reaffirm the very essence of the human being‚ in its purest creation: to be and coexist‚ to encourage‚ support‚ care‚ laugh‚ love‚ and understand that even though our languages were different‚ the need to belong and coexist was stronger for many of us.

KAIZEN is not just a methodology. Without realizing it‚ day by day‚ we polished ourselves like gold to shine brighter and brighter‚ developing from daily tasks‚ teamwork‚ prioritizing‚ managing actions‚ planning‚ verifying‚ correcting‚ and making decisions as a team for the well-being of all. We learned from great people and professionals and valued each day as a sunny day (even if it wasn’t)‚ but in the end‚ the most important lesson‚ as KAIZEN says‚ is to start. You don’t need to change your life in a single day; you need to: organize‚ classify‚ take actions that give you energy‚ and above all‚ clean your mind and heart from what prevents you from reaching your full potential - always remembering that you cannot do it alone‚ you need a tour guide‚ a personal trainer‚ and google maps (called GOD).

This is not the end; it is the beginning of our story before and after Japan. It is the start of a new stellar glow‚ a time to tell stories and experiences: surviving cold days‚ rain‚ losing and finding ourselves‚ walking without direction‚ falling asleep on a bus or train‚ forgetting our station‚ getting to know a piece of Belize‚ Guatemala‚ El Salvador‚ Bolivia‚ Brazil‚ Ecuador‚ Paraguay‚ Peru‚ and Nicaragua — and‚ of course‚ our dear Linh San‚ who unknowingly is now more Latin than ever.

The challenge is clear: now we must return to our lives‚ to the routines that bring comfort to someone‚ but with a different vision‚ supported by Monozukuri‚ small habits‚ and big results.

I cannot close this speech about our journey as “impostors” without sincerely thanking Hatano San‚ who has been a fundamental part of this journey. Through her‚ we are reminded that human warmth‚ love‚ and friendship still exist‚ and that the greatness of a person lies in their small acts‚ attentions‚ and dedication. To Tori San‚ who always watched over what we did or failed to do — the strict and funny father of the story; to the kind and attentive Kato San; and undoubtedly‚ to Yamamoto San for his advice and guidance‚ as he once asked‚ “How do you build a trusting relationship?” I tell you now: it is built with your heart in your hands‚ a suitcase full of memories‚ and small steps called KAIZEN.
Thank you‚ Japan. Thank you‚ JICA. Thank you‚ Life!