Mazda Motor Corporation is a strong advocate of the “Support Our Kids” (SOK) program, which is designed to assist junior-high and high school students residing in the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster areas achieve independence. To this end it will again be lending support to the France-stay program for 10 young adults starting from June 2nd.

Taking the lead role in this effort is the non-profit organisation, “Jidai no Sōzō Kōbō” (Creative Workshops for the Next Generation) who is progressing the project through the understanding and assistance of various foreign embassies, business people, as well as celebrities, such as athletes and cultural figures. This is the third year in a row that Mazda has supported this program, which gives the children the opportunity to learn the French language, interact with local students, and so on.　This year they will also get the chance to watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans, scheduled to be held over June 13th to 14th, as well as experiencee a trial drive in racing karts. Celebrating his 50th year in racing, former Mazda contract driver, Yojiro Terada was the campaigner for this project and will act as the guide to the participants as they watch the race.

On June 2nd the kids will receive some initial instruction at the French Embassy in Tokyo and then, on the following day, will depart for France. After a brief stay in Paris, they will then relocate to Le Mans, where they will receive board, undertake language lessons, participate in exchange events, and then return to Japan on the 17th. Mazda’s official release outlined its hopes for the project, “Mazda hopes that through this overseas home-stay program, which gives the kids the chance to meet and interact with the people who challenge the harsh conditions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, they will get an idea of the importance of never giving up and this will hopefully contribute to their challenging spirit. Mazda will continue to strive to be a brand that creates more opportunities to interact with our customers, enrich their lives and create a special bond between them and our company. ”

MZRacing will again be accompanying the SOK France-stay program this year and providing regular updates as it progresses.

Photo by MZRacing

Photo:2014 France