I'm raising money for a laptop computer so I can find my son and re-establish myself**.

Why I'm using HandUp for a laptop computer.

My wife passed away and my son is living in Japan, however, I have lost contact with him. To locate him I need the computer to do some online searching before I move there. Searching online I need the computer to use when everything is closed because when it's day time here in the US it's time time there in Japan.

** NOTE TO DONORS: We value your donations, and respect your intention to support people in need with their specific fundraising goals. On occasion, the immediate needs or an emergency may arise, and a Participant might require support in another way for safety, health, housing, or employment. As such, your donation may be used for an immediate basic need not mentioned in the above goal, such as groceries, health costs, or housing support. Any changes will always be approved in advance by PHC Staff. We will provide up to date information on how these funds are being used through an update on HandUp. By making a donation to this campaign, you are confirming your approval of this potential change. If you have any questions, or do not wish that your donation be used for any alternative goals, please contact PHC staff directly.

We greatly appreciate your support to our Participants!

About me.

The story of Torikai Thomas starts off one warm evening on a bus heading towards Ala Moana Shopping Cneter in Waikki, and I, the misplaced father, suddenly feeling tired. I had one of two options, get off now and get on a different bus, which would drop me off closer to my car, or stay on the bus and walk through the crowded shopping center, cross over busy Kapalani Boulevard to the gym where my car was parked. I decided to let fate decide, if someone request to stop, I will get off just as the bus approached the last transfer stop on Kuhio Street. At that very moment, someone requested to stop. I walked off the bus, sat on the bus stop bench, next to a pretty, petite Japanese woman. "Hello," I greeted. When she cheerfully returned the greeting, there was a slight fragrance of alcohol. Her indigo blue dress looked so elegant, while she proudly explained about raveling half the world on the grandest cruise liner int he world, "The Queen Elizabeth the 2nd," and now was on her way back to her home, Japan. At the time, I was living in a cave with two part-time jobs, one as a fitness instructor at a 24/hr health club, where my dilapidated Datsun B2-10 was parked and the other, as a part time writer/editor for a weekly newspaper, which I had written my first articles. Another of the many so called, coincidences to bring us together for Thomas, the articles, my first article for the local newspaper was about a photo exhibition of the actual atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. "Where is the ship docked?" I nonchalantly asked. "I don't know," she giggled. I looked at her sitting so elegantly with two shopping bags on her lap with the anticipating bus.

My backstory.

I became a family man, a father and a professional English teacher in the public schools of Japan. We were the modern day version of Romeo and Juliet. The more we worked, the more we declined financially. I was only an adolescent in my new adopted culture and was paid as such. The bills just kept piling, no matter how much we budgeted. Each school year, my employer would transfer me to another school in a completely different district. She never told me she was dying, when her and Thomas had disappeared, not even her parents answered the phone. I unfortunately was not prepared for her departure from this world. I wanted to see my son Thomas, but was concerned what would be best for him. Could I offer my son a better environment than his establish grandfather? I owe the state department financially because of the "Return Patriot Act," I spent all the money I made teaching in China in an attempt in vain to restablish myself in Japan, while looking for Thomas. The money kept dwindling, until I could not afford to stay in a hotel and sustain myself if hired. I was the only non-Japanese homeless many living in Ikebukuro Park at the time. Finally, some friends convinced me, one cold and chilly night to return to the U.S to make money and then return to Japan legally.

My goals, moving forward.

My passport is the collateral for the "Return Patriot Act." loan from the state department to return back to San Francisco. I cannot leave the US until paying off my debt. Ironically I am being held in a city, declaring to be a sanctuary city for those the state department wants out of the United States. Hopefully while paying off my debt, I could raise enough money to buy a personal computer to continue searching for Torikai Thomas, my son!