Last month, during my visit to Japan, I had the remarkable opportunity to meet Rimi Makino, the CEO of RINXs Co. Ltd. and the Board Chairman of the Japanese and Other Languages NPO in Osaka. What began as a planned meeting quickly turned into an inspiring and deeply meaningful conversation. We spent a significant amount of time discussing her journey of building RINXs from the ground up, the challenges she faced while establishing the NPO, and the vision that continues to drive her work today.
As we spoke, I was reminded of my own volunteering days with the NPO days filled with learning, collaboration, and a shared purpose of helping individuals overcome language barriers. Listening to Makino-san describe the early struggles and the relentless effort required to bring people together from various ethnicities and backgrounds gave me a renewed appreciation for the impact of this organization. Creating an online community where learners from across the world can connect, practice, and grow is not an easy feat. Yet, through her leadership and commitment, the NPO has become a space where people feel empowered to learn new languages and engage meaningfully with others.
What struck me most was her clear ambition to create positive change in society by making language-learning accessible and inclusive. Her passion for building bridges across cultures, fostering understanding, and supporting people in their personal and professional growth is truly inspiring.
From our first exchanges online during my volunteering period to finally meeting her in person in Japan, it felt like a full-circle moment, one that reminded me of the value of community, mentorship, and shared purpose.
If you are interested in their work or would like to explore their language-learning programs, I encourage you to visit their website: https://rinxsonline.com/
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