Hiroshima-Laos Exchange Association provides support for children in need in Laos
Mar. 26, 2014
The Hiroshima-Laos Exchange Association, based in Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima is a citizens’ group that provides support for the education of children in Laos, a nation in Southeast Asia.
The group was born when some citizens became involved in a fundraising effort to help bring the team from Laos to the 12th Asian Games, which were held in Hiroshima in 1994. Since that time, they have been selling Laotian handicrafts and food at special events in the city, using the profits to build schools and give scholarships to children in need.
To date, they have built two elementary schools and currently provide about 1000 yen per month to 14 students, from elementary school to university. One former student, who received support from the group for more than ten years, has since become a government official.
The leader of the group, Takahiro Toda, 70, said that he always meets each scholarship recipient in person. He visits Laos regularly to monitor the group’s work. Sending money is easy, he explained, but he can’t know whether the funds are used effectively or not unless he travels there.
“Education is vital for a nation’s independence,” Mr. Toda said. “I want to help develop human resources.” In Laos, a large gap exists between the cities and the countryside: the reality is that the children of poor families in the countryside have to work to help support the family and so can’t go to school.
Mr. Toda stressed, “A small group like ours can only do so much, but we want to continue doing what we can.” (Daichi Ishii, 17)
(Originally Published on March 17, 2014)
The group was born when some citizens became involved in a fundraising effort to help bring the team from Laos to the 12th Asian Games, which were held in Hiroshima in 1994. Since that time, they have been selling Laotian handicrafts and food at special events in the city, using the profits to build schools and give scholarships to children in need.
To date, they have built two elementary schools and currently provide about 1000 yen per month to 14 students, from elementary school to university. One former student, who received support from the group for more than ten years, has since become a government official.
The leader of the group, Takahiro Toda, 70, said that he always meets each scholarship recipient in person. He visits Laos regularly to monitor the group’s work. Sending money is easy, he explained, but he can’t know whether the funds are used effectively or not unless he travels there.
“Education is vital for a nation’s independence,” Mr. Toda said. “I want to help develop human resources.” In Laos, a large gap exists between the cities and the countryside: the reality is that the children of poor families in the countryside have to work to help support the family and so can’t go to school.
Mr. Toda stressed, “A small group like ours can only do so much, but we want to continue doing what we can.” (Daichi Ishii, 17)
(Originally Published on March 17, 2014)
