[About the Book]
ーHow the simple word “Thank you” became a lifelong badge of honor-
The author, who spent 25 years conducting research at a Japanese telecommunications company and later built a career as an environmental management specialist, chose a completely new path after retirement: volunteering for international cooperation in Costa Rica.
This book is a firsthand account of the author’s two-year stay, covering everything from the application process and preparations to daily life on site, as well as travels in Costa Rica and other parts of South America. Through a variety of tasks performed alongside local staff, the author gradually built trust while navigating cultural differences and language barriers.
Amid Costa Rica’s abundant nature, relaxed atmosphere, and warm-hearted people, the author discovered a new sense of purpose in life. This moving memoir is a gift not only to seniors but to anyone interested in international cooperation.

[Table Of Contents]
Preface
Chapter 1: International-Cooperation Volunteering-From Application to Advance Preparation
Chapter 2: Costa Rica and the Technological Institute of Costa Rica
Chapter 3: Circumstances in Costa Rica
Chapter 4: Life in Costa Rica
Chapter 5: Travels in South America and a Challenge to Spanish
Chapter 6: Current Status of Waste Management and Formulating the Cooperation Plan
Chapter 7: Hazardous waste Treatment Facilities and Environmental Education
Chapter 8: A Treatment-Plant Inauguration Shines Beneath a Marble Gratitude monument
Afterword
Author Biography

[Comment from the Editor]
After fulfilling a professional career, engaging in international volunteer work can offer a meaningful way to add another chapter to life. This book shows the value of using your skills and knowledge to help others. Those who want to contribute or make a difference in someone’s life will find in this book a deeper understanding and inspiration for volunteering.

[Author Biography]
Katsuhiro Harada
Born in Kagoshima Prefecture, 1944
1971 Completed the master’s program, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University
1971 Joined the Musashino Electrical Communication Laboratory, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation
1996 Joined NTT Electronics Corporation
Qualifications and licences
・Doctor of Engineering
・Class I Pollution Control Manager (Water Quality, Air) ; Class I Occupational Health Supervisor
・Environmental Counselor (registered with the Ministry of the Environment)
(This biographical information reflects the author’s status at the time this book was published.)