I wrote this column before Y2K became a reality instead of a speculation. I had water, a charcoal stove, six cans of tuna, batteries, and the hope that since I was ready, nothing would happen. But I didn't know. Now I do: Being prepared pays off again. Perhaps there was a hint of disappointment. We were expecting something!

Recently I wrote of Medecins du Monde, a group of doctors and nurses who, like Nobel prize winner Doctors Without Borders, go where the needs are greatest whenever a crisis strikes. They are part of a large group of professionals who give their skills to help those in need.

A few days later I had a letter from a Japanese doctor, Tetsuro Irohara. He wrote that he was deeply moved by the article and told me about his work. He did not ask for publicity, but I would like to tell you about him. He quit school at 21 and traveled extensively throughout Asia, often helping the underprivileged. Deciding he wanted to do more, he enrolled in medical school and after graduation chose to work in a remote mountain village in Nagano. Many Asian and Middle East people came to this area before the Olympics to work on construction projects (if they were men) or the entertainment industry (if they were women). Their problems multiply as work decreases. There are continuing work-related impairments, and ailments endemic to the entertainment trade inevitably resulting in HIV carriers and AIDS-infected people. He says many Japanese medical students come to his village to learn about community health care. (If I were to make a prediction, it would be that Japan's younger generation will make a huge contribution both within Japan and internationally.)

Dr. Irohira is an associate of Bangladeshi doctor Sumana Barua who works with Filipino villagers under the precept that one must start at the beginning, doing what can be done now. There are, he says, advanced hospitals built with foreign aid in the Philippines but there are no funds to maintain them properly even if qualified people could be found to staff them. It is far more practical to establish village schools and health centers that can meet today's most demanding needs. Dr. Barua earned his medical degree in the Philippines in a program that emphasized public service. Now he teaches and advises organizations working at the grass-roots level. He still travels extensively, helping those who would be helpless without his caring.

An old Chinese poem expresses the feeling that inspires his work: Go to the people, live among them, learn from them, love them. Start with what they know, build on what they have. But of the best of leaders, when their task is accomplished, their work is done, the people will remark, "We have done it ourselves."

There was no request for help. In fact, I had to search through the papers I received to find an address. If any of you feel motivated to give, I am sure your contribution will be put to good use. Send it to Tetsuro Irohira MD, Minami Aiki Village, Nagano 384-1211.

Finally, there is Masako Sumiya. While her husband was ambassador to the Phillipines, she was impressed with the work of Fr. Pierre Tritz and his back-to-school project. Some 300,000 to 400,000 children drop out of school each year mainly because of financial hardship. Many become street children. His goal is to get them back in school. With education, there could be hope for a brighter future.

When she returned to Japan, she founded Pag-Asa ("hope" in the Phillippines) to help support his work. That was 10 years ago. In that short time, the group has funded schooling for 11,601 children of all ages. Although education is free, many families cannot afford even basic expenses such as transportation. Older students learn trades; a few go on to college. Only 5,000 yen will provide uniforms, supplies and other assistance for a child for a year. To start, it costs only 2,000 yen, which is one unit of educational assistance and makes you a member. Send payment by postal transfer to NIPPI PAG-ASA NO KAI, #00170-8-169350. Call (044) 888-0193 for an English-language pamphlet or if you have questions. It is a sad thing that the number of street children continues to increase. You can make a difference. This is a good time of year to begin.