Initiative
'Self-Reliance'

Our online classroom program, which began in 2022, is now entering its 4th year!
To mark this milestone, we held a small but meaningful opening ceremony to celebrate the new school year.

This program is organized by Support 21 and made possible with the generous support of the Fast Retailing Foundation.

Currently, around 80 Rohingya and Myanmar children are receiving online learning support through this initiative, taking steps toward a brighter future.
Their smiles and eagerness to learn give us hope and motivation every day.

We look forward to another wonderful year of learning and growth!

​December 2024

We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the Harmony Sisters Network seminars that began in September. On the final day, we held a multilingual presentation event for children in the morning. The children sang songs in English and Burmese, and gave presentations in Rohingya about their families and favorite things. This was a significant challenge for children who usually speak only Japanese, but their remarkable progress was truly inspiring.

For lunch, we enjoyed traditional Rohingya cuisine.

In the afternoon, we conducted a Japanese cultural introduction class focused on origami. We explored the rich history of origami, learning how it has become a symbol of Japan worldwide. We discovered that paper cranes have been used in purification rituals for about 300 years and became symbols of peace during the Meiji era. Using colorful paper, we crafted items such as Mount Fuji, small containers, and, at the children’s request, made paper balls for playing catch. The session also featured an exhibition of special works by the instructor.

The event was attended by approximately 76 people, including supporters, Harmony Sisters Network members, children, and their parents, making it a significant gathering. We are relieved to have concluded on such a positive note and look forward to the activities planned for the coming year.

​June 2024

After two successful years of online learning support, a ceremony was held today to mark the opening of the third year of the programe. Around 60 Rohingya and Myanmar children are currently receiving learning support. The project has achieved a lot: the children's grades have improved and their mothers have gained a better understanding of the Japanese school curriculum and examination system. The project relies on volunteer teachers and we are continuing to recruit volunteer teachers. If you are interested, please contact us.

​June 2024

I was invited to speak at the Fast Retailing press conference. It was a real pleasure and a dream come true moment for me to continue my involvement with UNIQLO.

The UNIQLO Fast Retailing Foundation and I have been working together on an online learning support project for Rohingya children, which is now in its third year. And this month, UNIQLO will open the Educational Support Centre for Refugees (also known as Esku-ru) in Meguro. We look forward to a long relationship with UNIQLO in the future

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​February 2024

In place session at Tatebayashi

August 2023

Thanks to the cooperation and understanding of many of you, our summer workshop event on 27th was a great success.

The event was organised by Harmony Sisters Network, a voluntary organisation of which I am the president, and was made possible by a grant from the Asian Welfare and Education Foundation.

The event aimed to promote cultural exchange between Japanese children and Rohingya and Muslim children from Myanmar, and to provide an opportunity to understand each other's perspectives. In particular, it is said that Rohingya parents and children have little interest in higher education, but through this event we hoped to provide them with the opportunity to visit prestigious universities such as the University of Tokyo and bring them one step closer to their dreams and hopes for university education.

The event was attended by 80 people, including 50 Rohingya parents and their children, 10 Japanese parents and their children, plus Japanese people who participated as officials and volunteers, and received a lot of positive feedback.

​August 2023

Tour of the mosque by Dr Shigeru

He told us about the wonderful inventions of Islamic civilisation and we learnt a lot about the importance of religion-based education.

Some of the great inventions of the Islamic civilisation included mathematical algorithms, the Algebra, advances in astronomy and the development of medicine. There were also inventions such as the compass, the gear wheel and coffee.

Religious education played an important role in Islamic civilisation. The study of sacred texts, such as the Koran and Hadith, promoted moral values and the development of humanity. The pursuit of learning and knowledge was also linked to faith, and the acquisition of knowledge was considered a religious duty.

This enabled Islamic civilisation to produce a wealth of knowledge and advanced inventions, which had a profound impact on the world.

The visit to the Tokyo Jamii taught the children, who belong to the Rohingya generation, once again to go proudly as Muslims.

​August 2023

Opening ceremony of our project of educational support for children: 2nd year started!