This type of exchange was originally proposed years ago by Kurashiki resident and Christchurch native Mr. Michael Gorman. Mr. Gorman's idea was to give disabled citizens of Kurashiki the opportunity to travel to Christchurch so that they could experience a different way of life and culture, have exchanges with disabled residents of Christchurch and experience first hand how another country responds to the needs of people with disabilities. Mr. Gorman even agreed to donate the royalties from the sale of his book, "The Quest for Kibi and the True Origins of Japan" to help offset some of the costs associated with the exchange. However, the difficulties in successfully holding such an exchange at that time were too great to overcome and the exchange had to be postponed after the sending of just one group to Christchurch.
Fortunately, Mr. Charles Shadbolt, the Managing Director of Independent Fisheries Ltd (a major fish-processing company located in Christchurch) and friend of Mr. Gorman became interested in Mr. Gorman's idea. Thanks to the generous financial support of Independent Fisheries Ltd. the exchange was revived and due to additional support from Air New Zealand, the Christchurch City Council, the Kurashiki Disabled Persons International Exchange Association and many others, the 1st Kurashiki Disabled Persons Goodwill Ambassador group of four Kurashiki Citizens was able to visit Christchurch from February 12 until February 26, 2005.
1st Kurashiki Disabled Person Goodwill Ambassadors