Kokkyo naki Kodomotachi (KnK), which was established by Medecins Sans Frontieres Japon (MSF Japon) in 1997, is a nonprofit organization that supports street children, underprivileged children, orphans, and victims of child abuses in developing countries. KnK is practicing educational activities with an aim to foster friendship and respect between underprivileged children and youths in such countries and young people in Japan. KnK obtained official NPO status in 2000.

Now, we are conducting several educational projects, such as "Growing Together," "Yujo no Reporter", "Yujo no Go!En dama Campaign." Through all those projects, we believe we can provide children both in developing countries and in Japan a good opportunity to cultivate mutual understanding and respect.

Educational Projects

"Growing Together"

Kokkyo naki Kodomotachi is opening some houses, called Wakamono no Ie (House for Youth), which are each able to take in about 15 adolescents. The staffs working at those houses help kids to make the transition to adulthood by finding appropriate job training or employment for each young adult. Every month, each resident receives a small allowance to help with meals, clothing and school tuition. Japanese college students visit the houses during school vacations to cultivate friendship. Residents can stay until they feel ready to leave. Some may stay just six months, while others may stay up to two or three years. Even when they decided to leave, they are still eligible for moral and financial support from KnK. In the end, and more importantly, our goal is to help each person become independent.

"Yujo no Reporter (Children Reporter)"

Children Reporter is a project for children in Japan to visit countries where MSF is working. And the aim is to raise their awareness of the problems experienced by young people elsewhere in the world. On returning to Japan, those children report to people in Japan what they felt and saw during their stay in the country they visited. So far, Yujo no Reporter went to Cambodia, Malawi, Slovenia, Thailand, Laos, China and Vietnam.

"Yujo no Go!En dama Campaign"

The 5 yen coin has a special meaning in Japan, it means 'to find your destiny' and 'to bring good fortune' to the recipient. Imagine if your destiny was to bring good fortune to an underprivileged child in another country! The aim of this appeal is for the students (children) to know and learn about the plight of underprivileged youths overseas. After learning about the situation of those underprivileged children, children collect 5 yen pieces and make '5 yen ropes' in their schools and communities. The money from these ropes will directly help children in need!

Recent Projects

Last year, KnK dispatched "Yujo no Reporters" in August to Cambodia. Also KnK launched the "Yujo no Go!En dama Campaign,"which ended in a great success. The fund collected was sent to children in Cambodia, Vietnam and the Phlippines.

House for Youth, Cambodia

KnK is running institutions for youth called "Wakamono no Ie" where about 30-40 children are living together in Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines. All the children living there were used to be in miserable conditions in one way or another. We are now running the "Yujo no Go!En dama Campaign". Also, we have just closed the list for "Yujo no Reporter" which will be implemented in August this year.

Future Projects

We are planning to have some more "Wakamono no Ie" to help as many children in difficulties as possible. KnK will dispatch "Yujo no Reporter" twice a year abroad and will also continue to hold the "Yujo no Go!En dama Campaign".

How JETs can get involved, how can they contribute?

KnK has been in close contact with members of the JETs Programme, who kindly helped us in the "Yujo no Go!En dama Campaign". Already, many JETs are participating and fully involved in the campaign, we really appreciate all the JETs' support. We would like to have more information from the JETs how they participated the campaign, how they raise the interest of the children at the school they teach for our future reference.

Contact

For general enquiries please visit our website, call us or get in touch by email.

Tel : 03-5155-2506
Fax : 03-5155-2507

E-mail :
Website: www.knk.or.jp