[3] Renzo's diplomatic work took them to Buenos Aires, Beijing, London, Paris, and New York City.

During her life outside Japan as the wife of a diplomat, she met and befriended many people who later helped her found the Elizabeth Saunders Home, like Josephine Baker.

[4] After World War II, Sawada took in many mixed-race children who were abandoned and discriminated against because their mothers were Japanese and their fathers were American soldiers.

The Japanese government would not support the orphanage, and would not allow it to be registered as a non-profit, so Sawada constantly had trouble finding funding.

[4] Sawada visited America in 1949 and 1950 to give lectures and gather donations for the orphanage.