Grantee | Sumter County Georgia School District (Awarded in January 2024)
Project | Sumter County and Miyoshi City Exchange
In a quiet courtyard at The Carter Center in Atlanta, a centuries-old Japanese temple bell hangs in a newly built wooden tower. It's easy to miss if you're not looking for it. But this unassuming artifact, known as the Peace Bell, has inspired one of the most enduring—and quietly powerful—cultural exchange programs in U.S.-Japan relations.
Its journey began in 1820, when it was cast for Shoganji Temple in Konu, a rural town in Hiroshima Prefecture. During World War II, it was to be used for scrap metal but survived, eventually winding its way to England, Florida, and finally into the hands of President Jimmy Carter, who was gifted the bell in 1985 for his humanitarian work.
When President Carter learned that the ceremonial bell had once been a spoil of war, he sought to return it to its original home—Shoganji Temple in Konu. But instead of reclaiming the bell, the people of Konu insisted Carter keep it as a symbol of peace, forging a friendship that led to his visits to Japan in 1990 and 1994. Out of that bond, the Sister City relationship was born, and soon after, students from both countries began traveling across the Pacific—not as tourists, but as guests in one another's homes, building lasting relationships rooted in mutual respect, shared history, and the vision of peace that first brought the bell to Atlanta. The exchange is now entering its fourth decade—and is still changing lives.
"So Much More Than a Trip to Japan"
When the coordinator of the program stepped down in 2015, Gayla Braziel stepped up. She notes, "I knew it would be a role led by passion, and I wanted to ensure that we continued the program for our own students and our friends in Konu/Miyoshi City."
"Initially, not knowing much about the program, I was not sure I was the right person for the job," she admits. But she changed her mind—and her heart. "Once I actually participated, I saw that it was a life-changing experience for myself and the students. It was so much more than a trip to Japan."
That one week included immersive homestays, visits to schools, calligraphy workshops, martial arts demonstrations, and a deeply moving visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (see image). "The relationships you create can't be captured in words," Gayla says. "It transforms your perspective on people, history, and peace."
Small Town, Big Vision
Americus sits in Sumter County, a Title I school district in rural southwest Georgia. Every student receives free breakfast, lunch, and snacks as part of a nation-wide program supporting low-income students. International travel is, for most, out of reach. (See image of students exchanging name cards.)
"The primary challenge for us is funding," Gayla says. "Many of our students have limited experiences outside of their community. Flying on an airplane, staying with a host family in Japan, learning about the culture—these are opportunities they would never have without outside support."
That's where the U.S.-Japan Foundation comes in. "The USJF grant allows us to overcome those financial barriers," she explains. "It gives our students real-world opportunities to build confidence, to explore beyond the small confines of our community—and to form lifelong friendships."
For 16-year-old Jaylynne Ruckman, the experience was unforgettable. "She had an amazing time and barely reached out to touch base with us because she was so busy enjoying it," her mother said. "Her host family treated her like their own. She made new friends, loved the food—especially the sushi—and even reconnected with her host sister when the Japanese delegation came to Americus."
A Living Legacy of Peace
While the student exchange remains the heart of the program, Gayla's leadership has helped it grow in unexpected directions.
She worked with local partners to help export Georgia peanuts to Japan—so students in Konu could bake "Carter Cookies" to raise funds for their own travel. She supported the construction of the Peace Bell Tower at The Carter Center in Atlanta, a $300,000 community-led initiative supported by the Japan-America Society of Georgia and others. Japanese carpenters helped build the tower using traditional methods; the bell now rings on Carter's birthday as a symbol of peace.
And when COVID grounded international travel, Gayla kept the exchange alive over Zoom. "That tells you how important this relationship is," she says. "We continued even when the borders were closed because there was so much student and community interest."
The program now involves not only students, but also local governments, civic groups, and families on both sides. Some Japanese host families have welcomed three generations of American students. In Americus, the mayor hosts dinners, community members offer homestays, and small businesses donate services or discounts. "It's truly a community effort," says Gayla. "Everyone does their part."
Carrying the Torch
President Carter, who passed away in 2024, remains a spiritual presence in the exchange. His words—"The bell in Atlanta will be a permanent reminder to each of us to strive constantly for peace among the human family"—are etched into a monument in Konu. His legacy is also lived each year by the students and citizens who walk in his footsteps, both literally and figuratively.
For Gayla, the work is rewarding but also demanding of money, time and energy. "There are moments when I wonder if someone else should take the lead but when I think about the joy it brings—the excitement on the students' faces, the lifelong friendships, the understanding that grows between our communities—it's too important to let go." At USJF, we feel the same way.
The last trip went ahead in June 2025, and it is now time to welcome the Japanese delegation in October. Students have their passports and tickets. Preparations are underway.
And somewhere in Atlanta, the Peace Bell will ring again.
