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32《Special Feature》
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Published in
March 2024 Vol.32
Next issue isplanned to comeat the end of May

Kinder Kids Inc.
TEL：06-6135-0150
Pulala Tenma 2F, 3-1 Ikeda-cho,
Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka. 530-0033

www.kinderkids.com

Kimiko Nakayama, CEO's visit to Bangladesh

People contributing to solving poverty in Bangladesh ①

Life and Education in an Emerging Country:
Striving to Break the Cycle of Poverty【Dr. Muhammad Yunus】

Born in Chittagong in southern Bangladesh, Dr. Muhammad Yunus obtained his
master's degree from The University of Dhaka before moving to the UnitedStates to pursue a Ph.D. in economics at Vanderbilt University. After returning
to Bangladesh, he became the Dean of the Faculty of Economics at the University of Chittagong in 1972. Witnessing the poverty caused by the famine of 1974,
he initiated activities to eradicate poverty in Bangladesh. In 1983, he founded
Grameen Bank to help rural poor become ﬁnancially independent. In 2006, he
was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution to alleviate poverty andmaintaining peace through microcredit . Dr. Muhammad Yunus is also an
advocate of social business -a business approach to solving social issues
through business.

Kimiko Nakayama,
Kinder Kids, CEO

A Visit to
Bangladesh【Yunus Social Business】

Social business is a term deﬁned by Dr. Muhammad Yunus in his book "Creating a World Without Poverty:
Social Business and the Future of Capitalism." It refers to enterprises aimed at addressing social issues
like poverty, racial discrimination, food shortages, and environmental destruction.
Its principles consist of: The purpose of business is not only to maximise proﬁts but also to addresssocial issues such as poverty, education, and the environment, Achieving economic sustainability, andMaintaining a positive working environment for employees

Last month, I had the chance to visit Bangladesh and witness ﬁrsthandIn a home I visited in a slum area, I met a family

the local education system and the problems caused by poverty.

of four living in a cramped space, barely six

I'd like to share what I learned and my thoughts about what we can do to improve the situation.

tatami mats in size, which included a kitchen and

The Story Behind the Visit to Bangladesh - Meeting with Dr. Muhammad Yunus

toilet. Many fathers work as bicycle rickshaw

Around 6 to 7 years ago, I learned about Dr. Muhammad Yunus, an economist and entrepreneur from
Bangladesh, from a university professor who taught me about social business. Dr. Yunus is renownedfor his innovative approach to providing “microcredit”̶small loans

familyincomethrougheven in such modest dwellings within the slum,

ics of Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, and Zero Net Carbon

represents a signiﬁcant step forward andEmissions" and was deeply impressed. I had the chance toSlum boys living oﬀ gathered rubbish

becomes one of their goals.

visit Bangladesh because my son was is involved in activities(Above) Meeting with
Dr. Muhammad Yunus
at Yunus Centre in Dhaka(Left) A World of Three Zeros
by Muhammad Yunus

I was shocked by the poverty conditions in Bangladesh.

During my visit, I witnessed the harsh realities that street children and families living on the streets
are facing. I learned that nearly half of the school-age children have no parents, and women who haveunwanted pregnancies stay in shelters and receive support such as vocational training even after
giving birth. Moreover, many children born in these shelters are eventually placed with foster parents
and adopted through placement agencies. The difﬁcult situation of street children is especiallydistressing. We met children who survive by collecting rubbish. They combine their meager earnings
to buy food, and sleep near garbage heaps. Shockingly, some of them turn to snifﬁng glue as a desper1

thehomeless people, having a roof over their head,I read Dr Yunus's book "A World of Three Zeros: The New Econom-

ate attempt to alleviate hunger.

tohousing in the low-rent area of the slum. For

concept of social business.

approach to education and social issues.

income to support their families. Mothers
home-based work, enabling them to afford

awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in spreading theactivities he is involved in and learned about the local

the area controllers, leaving them with minimal
contributewithout collateral̶to ﬁnancially help inpoverished people. He wasthere. Through this trip, I was able to better understand thedrivers, but half of their earnings are taken by

A Beacons of Hope:
Grameen Euglena and Ekmattra
Grameen Euglena is a social business venture,established by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, founder ofGrameen Bank, partnered with the Japanesecompany Euglena (led by President Mitsuru
Izumo). Grameen Euglena aims to tackle poverty
and improve nutrition in Bangladesh. The organization contributes to solving social issues in
Bangladesh by offering free Euglena cookies tomalnourished children, providing farmers withmicrocredit for mung bean cultivation as
advocated by Dr Yunus, and offering cultivation

Bangladesh is one of the countries with a strong aﬃnity
for Japan.Students introduced Bangladesh using theJapanese they had learned.

2techniques and sales assistance. Grameen Euglena aims to create a sustainable society.
Ekmattra is a non-governmental organization(NGO) founded in 2004 by humanitarian aid
worker Masaki Watanabe, who served as ourinterpreter and guide during our visit. Ekmattra
focuses on supporting street children and raisingawareness about their plight. It offers basic
education,

includingreading,

writing,andarithmetic, to street children at open-air schools
and provides shelters to ensure their safety. In
addition, Ekmattra provides various vocational
training programs to help children becomeﬁnancially independent in the future. It is

People contributing to solving poverty in Bangladesh ②【Hiroki Watanabe, Co-founder of Ekmattra】
Hiroki Watanabe wasdeeply shocked by thesight of slums in Phuket
tha he saw when hevisited as a college
student. After graduating,
he worked to save moneyand eventually moved to
Bangladesh in 2002.
In 2004, he founded the NGO "Ekmattra" tosupport street children in Bangladesh. Recognizing
the need for vocational training and leadershipdevelopment, he established the "Ekmattra
Academy" in 2016. He has been actively involved invarious support activities for helping street
children in Bangladesh.

Sustainable International Aid
When it comes to international support, I believe that
small but sustainable orders are more effective insupporting local employment than large one-time workorders. For instance, the mung bean cultivation project
initiated by Grameen Euglena, which grew steadily over aspan of more than 10 years.
Kinder Kids has devised a plan to place regular orders for
cloth bags and other products from Bangladesh, tosupport and strengthen its textile industry. We hope that
this initiative will provide a stable source of income for
local women and contribute to more ecologically sustainable employment opportunities.

New Perspectives Gained from Visiting Bangladesh

especially impressive that former students who
had received support from Ekmattra are now

Meeting Dr. Muhammad Yunus was meaningful for me. During our conversation, Dr. Yunus said,

giving support by providing education to street"While accumulating wealth is rewarding, the joy of making others happy far exceeds it." He taught

children and giving them hope. Ekmattra also

me that true fulﬁllment lies not just in seeking proﬁts, but also in making contributions to society.

operates shelters for women who have experi-

Dr. Yunus also emphasized the importance of having the courage to take action. While many may

enced domestic violence or have kicked out by

conceive brilliant ideas, only a few put these ideas into action. It is important to teach the importancetheir families. The organization offers vocationalof taking action and contributing to society.

training to such women, empowering them toachieve independence.

The First Step We Can Take to Create a Better WorldThe children's bright eyes andreﬂections on what real education means.
I went to a school where Grameen Euglena washanding out Euglena cookies, and even amidst
their impoverished circumstances, Bangladeshi
children were genuinely enjoying their time at

Many of the experiences I encountered during my visit to Bangladesh left a strong impression on me, even surpassing the shock I
Mae Watanabe is dedicated to supporting impoverished women, oﬀering handicraft workshops to provide
employment opportunities for underprivileged women.
She is actively contributing to society, together withher husband, Taiki.

felt when I visited Cambodia, where KinderKids is providing
support. It would be invaluable for Japanese children to see thereality of such circumstances - a reality they cannot evenimagine. In addition, it would offer an excellent learning opportunity for Kinder Kids and Grad Club students to visit Bangladesh

school. Their eyes were bright with excitement,

and reﬂect on the situation there. By organizing a study tour, we

and when asked if they enjoyed school, they all

could also support the activities of organizations like Ekmattra.

responded "Yes!" They were surprised when I

Unlike hygienic and safe Japan, there are still many places in thementioned that many children in Japan do notworld where people struggle to meet their basic needs. It's particularly distressing to see children

share the same enthusiasm for school andbecoming victims of social issues. They are placed in difﬁcult situation and cannot change it throughsometimes choose not to attend. I believe thereasonwhychildren

from

less

their own efforts alone. However, even if it's just a small contribution, we can improve the situation

privileged

when many of us get involved.

backgrounds can enjoy spending time at school is

The ﬁrst step is for us to know and understand the reality of the world. Then, by thinking about what

because local education offers more than just

we can do and then taking action, we can work towards creating a better world. This trip has

test scores and grades. The schools provide areinforced my determination to continue teaching children the importance of "understanding theplace to connect with others and foster thechildrenʼs conﬁdence and nurtures their dreams.
3

Handmade products from Ekmattra Handicrafts, made from traditional jute fabric andspecial stones used in traditional Bangladeshi attire.

Bangladeshi children are genuinely enjoying
their time at school

world".
4

Chi ld c are
Ad vice

En g l ish
Level

Wanting Someone to Listen:
The Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Consultation
F O RParents andGuardians

Career
Guidance

A mother looked back on the past three years, saying, "My husband was
not with me when I gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I foundit difﬁcult to seek help from my busy husband or my own parents.”
She then started shedding tears, saying, "I wanted someone to listen to me,

EnglishAbilityafter
Graduation

At KinderKids, we organized "Consultation for Parents and Guardians" to help them
resolve various childcare concerns. This year, we conducted consultation sessions
with 75 families at 13 schools. While the majority of the participants were mothers,

listen to my grievances, and acknowledge my efforts. At that moment, I realized how
hard it is when there is no one to consult with.

"Is this really the right choice?" Parenting is ﬁlled with never-ending uncertainties.
Another mother shared her experience of not having her older child learn English at an early
age and changed schools because the school that her child took the entrance exam for and thenenrolled in did not meet her child's needs.To prevent her younger child from facing a similar
situation, she chose Kinder Kids and carefully selected the elementary school. Nevertheless,she was worried about whether she had made the right choice. As we conversed, I reﬂected on
my own experiences and talked about how the desires and expectations of parents affect theirchildren. I stressed the importance of respecting their children's opinions, supporting their"Wishes," sharing enjoyable moments together, and not giving up easily when children choose
something for themselves. Through our conversation, the mother appeared to organize herthoughts and ﬁnd some clues how to prioritize her children's happiness and growth.

we also had three fathers and ﬁve couples.

What was the Reaction of the Parents who Participated?

We spoke with the organizer and advisor of the "Consultation for Parents andWe asked some personal questions during the consultations, and there were some who felt

Guardians" about her insights gained from talking with numerous parents.

uncomfortable and we apologized for any discomfort this caused. However, most of the partic-

The Reasons for Organizing the "Consultation for Parents and Guardians"

The school manager mentioned that "Many parents left with refreshed faces". This feedback

My husband and I both work and are raised three children who all have graduated from

ipants expressed their desire for future consultation sessions.
reafﬁrmed the value of conducting these consultation sessions.

Kinder Kids. I myself have also experienced the same parenting worries and struggles as

A Message from the Childcare Adviser

other parents, encountering challenges and anxieties along the way. Based on

We often tell children, "Treat others as you would like to be treated."these experiences, I aimed not only to listen to parental concerns but

Similarly, I adhere to the principle of not treating my children in ways I

also provide support and work together with them to ﬁnd solutions

didnʼt appreciate from my own parents or other adults. All of us want toto their childcare issues. Talking to someone about your thoughtsof our faces. When it comes to "disciplining" children, I believe it's crucial

share joyful moments together with our children, always with smiles on all
not to prolong it indeﬁnitely, but to swiftly conclude it once they reﬂect on

and feelings can lighten your heart a little. So, I decided totheir behavior and apologize. Each child's circumstances are different,

organize the "Consultation for Parents and Guardians" because
I thought I could understand parentsʼ concerns as a "mother offormer Kinder Kids students" who has gone through similar
experiences.
5

including things like gender, presence of siblings, personality, and family
Kumiko Yamashita
Management Dept.
Kinder Kids

background, etc. There is no one-size-ﬁts-all approach to parenting.
Through these consultation sessions, I hope the sessions will help parents
ease their concerns and to help discover solutions.

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K

D
S

IN

DERKI

 2023

Kumiko Shinoda,
Senior Manager, Examinationand Learning Division

Thank you very much for your participation in the Kinder Kids
Japanese Composition Contest 2023.
This year we received over 1,300 entries, and the Grand Prizeand First Place winners have been selected.
At this age, children are beginning to read the letters they've
learned and starting to write in Japanese. We've heard thatthey're taking on the role of teachers at home, sharing what
they've learned in Japanese language classes with their family
members. Additionally, they're trying to ﬁnd Japanese picture
books they've read at school to share with their families.
Engaging in Japanese communication not only helps expand
their vocabulary but also enhances their ability to express
themselves. For the next school year, we plan to expand thecontest and include Kinder Kids graduates, and anticipate
receiving many entries from them as well.

［Prizewinners］【Picture Diary Section - Grand Prize】
K . K（. T o k y o S c h o o l・K 3 ）【Composition Section - Grand Prize】
K . I（. T a k a t s u k i S c h o o l・K 3 ）【Picture Diary Section - First Place】
K . M（. A w a z a S c h o o l・K 1 ）【Kagayaki Prize】
M . T（. D o j i m a S c h o o l・K 3 ）L.I.（Shinagawa School・K3）【Habataki Prize】
M.S.
（Tennoji Yuhigaoka School・K1）
R . K（. O s a k a S h o o l・K 1 ）T.N.（Nishinomiya School・K2）
I.M.
（Tennoji Yuhigaoka School・K2）【 Composition Section - First Prize】
S . K（Yok.
ohama School・K2）【Tweet Prize】
A . N . ʼ s M a m（ O s a k a B a y・K 1 ）S.H.ʼs Mam（Yao School・K1）※“Tweet Prize” is given to a Tweet by a parent/guardian.

”Kinder Kids Japanese Essay Contest"
is looking forward to your entries.
Not only children but also their parents
are welcome to apply for the "Tweet Prize".

7【Picture Diary Section - Grand Prize】【Composition Section - Grand Prize】【Picture Diary Section - First Place】【Composition Section - First Prize】

K.K.（Tokyo School・K3）

K.I.（Takatsuki School・K3）

K.M.（Awaza School・K1）

S.K.（Yokohama School・K2）

8

Introduction of theKinder Kids
Guest House in Canada
We have prepared the "Kinder Kids Guest House in●

Canada" to offer families participating in the “Global
Transfer” Program a safe and comfortable place to stay.

403

407

This eliminates the need for parents to search and book
Situated in a peaceful residential area, our guest house
Oakville School and a 20-minute drive from Clarkson★

Upper OakvilleShopping Centre●●
WalmartSupercentre

inder Kids
Guest Housein Canada
Lions
Valley Park

School.

Preschool
Clarkson5

accommodations on platforms like Airbnb.
is conveniently located just an 18-minute drive from

Sheridan Kinder Kids
International
Park

403

×
Collabolation Goods by Kinder Kids and familiar

Lesson Bag &Pass Case Set
Available
for Purchase!

LimitedQuantity

Kinder Kids has worked together with "familiar," (a children's apparel brandthat previously conducted a seminar on "How to Choose Items for Entrance Exams"
at Kinder Kids Nishinomiya School), will release new items!
Under the corporate philosophy of "UnleashingChildrenʼs●

Kinder Kids
International
Preschool
Oakville
Lake Ontario

Potential,"familiar

consistently

supports children in expanding their capabilities"Learning." Their products, crafted with a sincere
desire for the healthy development of children,
familiar, with its focus on product quality, andKinder Kids, dedicated to cultivating children
with a global outlook, both share a common

Toys, picture books, and otherchildren's items are available for use.

philosophy

Additionally, right in front of the house, there's aspacious park with playground equipment wherechildren can play to their heart's content.

B e d ro o m s※Please contact us
for the room rates.

Informationon Kinder Kids Guest House in Canada
Address 265 Sarah Cline Drive,
Oakville Ontario
Parking

Security
Privatebathroom【Double1】
Sharedbathroom【Double2】
Sharedbathroom＊There is a shared bathroom
on the 2nd ﬂoor and in the basement.

9

If you visit Canada on the Global Transfer
Program, we encourage you to consider
staying at the guesthouse.

the"potential"

A wide bag that canaccommodate B4-sized
documents, completewith a gingham check lining.

Kinder Kids students, along withphonics characters, are joinedby fami-chan from familiar!

3

4

The pass case is perfectfor storing the blue card.

Velcro (hook and loop fastnertape) ensures that the cards
remain securely inside.

We've created a "Lesson Bag" along with ahere are parking spaces for 2 cars,
and you can access the housedirectly from the parking lot.

Bedding A queen-sized bed is provided,and a crib is available in the closet.

【Queen】

recognizingthat has led to our collaboration.

mealtime booster seats, sparing families from bringing
these items from Japan.

ofinherent in every child. It is this shared belief

We also provide toys, children's tableware, and2through the provision of "Goods," "Events," andhave garnered the trust of numerous parents.

The spacious kitchen allows you
to enjoy cooking during your stay.

1

The front door and the doors
to each room are equippedwith keypad door locks. We
will email you the access code
numbers one week prior toyour departure.

Check-In There is no set check-in time.
You are welcome to check in
at any hour, so there is noneed to worry about arriving
late at night.

matching "Pass Case," both featuring embroidered patches designed by Kinder Kids, madeusing familiar's beloved ﬂat denim.
These items are certain to be practical for schoolor after-school activities!

LimitedQuantity

Kinder Kids × familiar
Lesson Bag & Pass Case Set【Price】23,100 yen (tax included)【Sales Start】Early April＊Orders will be accepted on Kinder+
on a ﬁrst come ﬁrst served basis
Please visit Kinder+ for more information.→※Available for purchase by Kinder Kids students from Baby Class to K3.
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