Asian Breeze

No.96

Online Newsletter

96

No.

May
2023

KITAKYUSHU FORUM ON ASIAN WOMEN

Kitakyushu Otemachi Building 3F, Otemachi 11-4,
Kokurakita, Kitakkyushu, Fukuoka 803-0814 JAPAN
PHONE +81-93-583-3434 FAX +81-93-583-5195
E-mail: info@kfaw.or.jp URL: https://www.kfaw.or.jp/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kfaw.or.jp.en

Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women (KFAW) Web-based Newsletter

Contents
Overcoming adversity: Street youth of Metro Manila receive vocational-technical training
certificates, pave the way for a brighter future ............................................................................................ 1- Dr. Herbert Q Carpio, Executive Director of Childhope Philippines Foundation, Inc.

For a Society Where Every Child Believes Changing the World Better is Possible
Report on Change Makers Fes2023 ................................................................................................................. 5- NAKAJIMA Sanae, Chair of the Board, Free The Children Japan

Experiences of women with disabilities in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic .............. 8- KANAZAWA Mami, 2021/22 KFAW Visiting Researcher

In April of this year, Japan's first comprehensive children’s rights law※ was enforced and the Children
and Families Agency was established. This time, with the theme of "Children and Gender", we deliver
articles on organizations that support children around the world.
In February 2023, KFAW held the 35th KFAW Research Report Meeting. The contents of that meetingare also posted.
※Quoted from Ms. Nakajima's article, page7.

Overcoming adversity: Street youth of Metro Manila receive
vocational-technical training certificates, pave the way for abrighter future- Dr. Herbert Q Carpio,
Executive Director of Childhope Philippines Foundation, Inc.
Children and youth in street situations are among
the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in
the Philippines. They face numerous challenges,
including lack of access to basic needs such as
food, shelter, healthcare, exposure to various

forms of abuse and exploitation, limited accessto education and opportunities for personal
development,
andsocialstigmaanddiscrimination.

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Additionally, these children and youth are also
struggling with mental health, bullying, and teen
pregnancy, among others. These problems causemuch difficulty for our children and youth to live
their lives to the fullest and fulfil their roles forthe betterment of our country. It is due to thesecircumstances that an NGO for youth in thePhilippines is needed more than ever.

in street situations in the Philippines. Childhope
Philippines is doing vital work to support thesechildren and youth, and provides them with theresources they need to build better lives.
However, more needs to be done to ensure that
all children and youth in street situations are
given the support and opportunities they need to
thrive.

Childhope Philippines Foundation, a nongovernmental organization, has been working toaddress the needs and issues of children in street
situations for over 30 years. Their Street
Education and Protection Program aim toprovide these children with the support andresources they need to build better lives forthemselves.

Childhope Philippines takes pride in one of our
successful and ongoing programs, the Project
Bamboo, which is a collaborative effort with the
Asian Community Center (ACC21). This
program aims to inspire and motivate out-ofschool youth to think innovatively and take acreative approach in addressing their economic
needs. It also aims to teach the youth vocational
and technical skills such as food and beveragemanagement,
barista,
massagetherapy,cosmetology or hair-cutting, and baking. Asidefrom alternative education and service skills,
Project Bamboo also provides livelihoodtrainings for youth participants in businessconcepts that they can choose to start on theirown. Among these include T-shirt printing, foodprocessing, perfumery, and preparation ofhousehold items such as dishwashing liquids,
fabric detergents and conditioners, handsanitizers, and disinfectant liquids.

Through education and skills training programs,
Childhope Philippines helps children in street
situations acquire the knowledge and skills theyneed to break the cycle of poverty and improvetheir future prospects. Health and nutrition
services are also provided to ensure that thesechildren have access to essential healthcare
services and proper nutrition. Childhope
Philippines also provides protection and legal
assistance to children in street situations,
including those who have been victims of abuseor exploitation. Their advocacy and community
mobilization efforts work to raise awarenessabout the issues faced by these children and topromote greater support for their needs.
Overcoming youth adversity throughvocational and technical education.
It is essential that more attention and support begiven to addressing the issues faced by children

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Last March 31, 2023, Childhope Philippines
Foundation and ACC21 have successfully
produced a new batch of street youth graduates
under Project Bamboo. Fifteen (15) youths who
were once unschooled have undergone months ofseveral vocational-technical trainings, making
them certified Food and Beverage and Barista
specialists ready for work.

Online Newsletter
significance of taking the valuable lessons andgood values that the organization had instilled inthem with them. Additionally, he reminded thegraduates that even if they had skipped the entire
schooling process, they could still achieve their
desired jobs through Project Bamboo.
A glimpse of hope: Genesis forges a path to apromising future.
Genesis Anne Rose Chido, a current Grade 12
student, had a happy childhood with her parents
and siblings, despite their small source of
livelihood from selling on the streets. They
provided for her needs and instilled good values
in her. However, her life took a turn when her
father passed away. Due to familial dysfunction,
she departed from her home and opted to resideon the streets of Manila alongside other children.
Eventually, Genesis became a regularbeneficiary of Childhope Philippines. She was
granted a scholarship for two years but was later
terminated due to non-compliance oforganization’s policy. She faced more challenges
when she became pregnant and was abandonedby her partner. Nevertheless, she remained
determined and continued her studies with thesupport of Childhope Philippines through the
Alternative Learning System (ALS). Driven byher eagerness to learn, Genesis participated in
Project Bamboo and completed a course on Foodand Beverage Management skills.

According to Mr. Melchor Amante, the Project
Officer of Project Bamboo, these youths may
have missed out on schooling, but they foundhope in vocational-technical education throughthis joint project with ACC21.
One of the highlights of the event was theshowcasing of the success story of a former
participant, Almira Mae Cuvera. In 2019, Almiracompleted the Food and Beverage course andwas able to apply the knowledge gained tocontinue pursuing a degree in Hospitality
Management at STI Manila. She currently works
at a popular convenience store in the country
while continuing her studies. In addition tocelebrating the newly graduated students, thiswas another noteworthy aspect of the event.

Genesis acknowledges that joining Project
Bamboo was a challenging decision to make, as
she was studying and raising a childsimultaneously. However, she did not let thesecircumstances become obstacles, but instead
used them as a source of motivation.

And to cap off the event, Mr. Armavin Balza,Childhope’s Program Manager for Street
Education and Protection, expressed his genuine
gratitude to the graduates for selecting the
program as their second home. He stressed the3Asian Breeze

No.96"My current aspiration is to complete myeducation and secure a promising career, which
will not only benefit my son but also my family.
In addition, given the opportunity, I aim toestablish a small business as a stepping stone
towards my goals." stated Genesis.

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Conference of Street Children in Asia. This forum
facilitatednetworking

andcollaboration

among

agencies working for street children in the Asian region.
In 1995, Childhope Asia Philippines, Inc. was registeredunder the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Childhope changes its name to Childhope Philippines
Foundation, Inc. in 2013. It is registered, licensed, andSupport Childhope’s Advocacy as an NGO for
youth in the Philippines

accredited by the Department of Social Welfare andDevelopment (DSWD), and the Philippine Council for
NGO Certification (PCNC).

The future of the Philippines can be brightthrough the empowerment of our youth. As an
NGO for youth in the Philippines, Childhope
Philippines are striving to continuously run andcreate programs and activities that will motivate
and teach our youth on how to be greater. You
can help too! Donate today and help us empower
the Filipino street children and youth to make ourcountry a better place.

[Profile of Dr. Herbert Q. Carpio]
He is Executive Director for Childhope Philippines
Foundation, Inc., a non-government organization
pioneering in street education for disadvantaged
children. He has been with Childhope for over 16 years,
with previous stints as Program Coordinator for Healthand Medical Services and Physician. Harvey supervisesChildhope ’ s over-all operations with enthusiasm to
advocate for the cause of street children. Besides[About Childhope Philippines]

implementation of programs and policies, he is alsoChildhope Philippines Foundation, Inc. works to

Involved in advocacy and networking initiatives,promote the welfare, uphold, and protect children’s

particularly with local government units, academic

rights, particularly children in street situations byinstitutions, public and private organizations who areproviding education and healthcare, as well as

stakeholders, working towards the realization andpsychosocial care and vocational skills. Childhope

protection of rights of street children in health,Philippines traces its history back when Childhope

education and social welfare. He obtained a Diploma inInternational was founded in 1986. Individuals from

Global Health from the University of Tampere inchildren’s agencies saw the need to address the plight of

Finland in 2009, and a Doctor of Medicine from thechildren needing protection, especially those living in

University of the Philippines College of Medicine in

the streets. In 1989, a regional office for Asia was2006.

established in Manila after the First Regional

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For a Society Where Every Child Believes Changing the World
Better is Possible
Report on Change Makers Fes2023- NAKAJIMA Sanae,
Chair of the Board, Free The Children JapanFree The Children（FTC 1) was founded in 1995
by a 12-year-old Canadian boy named Craig
Kielburger. Its goal is freeing children frompoverty and exploitation. Free The Children
Japan (FTCJ) was established in 1999, proudly
supporting FTC’s unique philosophy: Children
are more than just people to be saved; they areagents of positive social change. Since then, the
FTCJ has operated international cooperation
programs in India, the Philippines, Kenya, andother countries, while encouraging young people
in Japan to make a difference, and has learned
from FTC's various forms of leadership training
programs for young people, localized them forJapan and supported child-led and centeredactivities.

Conveying the current situation of schools andcommunities and making proposals to Minister Ogura,
who is in charge of the Children and Families Agency.

The FTC held "WE Day" in Toronto in 2007, an
event to celebrate the impact young people had
made on local and global issues, to encouragethem to continue being changemakers andparticipate in community service andinternational cooperation activities. Since then,the event has been held in more locations every
year and has grown into a major movement with
250,000 taking part in 15 cities including New
York, London, and Vancouver in 2019.

Camp style leadership training for children

Every time I have personally participated in WE
Day events, 20,000 elementary, middle, and high“Take Action Camp”
1 Free The Children changed its organizational name to WE

Charity in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom
in July 2016.

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school students who worked on social issues
gathered in the stadium to an overwhelmingly
enthusiastic atmosphere. Actors, singers, athletes,
activists, politicians, and other celebrities cameto empower the young people and to givespeeches on many topics from climate change
and poverty to conflict and discrimination. I was
fascinated by the program, which was designed
to educate children about various social issues.
They left the venue excitedly saying, "I was
encouraged, and I want to continue to takeaction!"Online Newsletter
According to Dr. Igarashi, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the National Center forChild Health and Development, “The low levelof wellbeing of children in Japan is the result ofdecisions made by adults for their own
convenience without listening to the voices ofchildren." We at the FTCJ believe that in order toprotect their lives and realize their rights andhappiness, it is essential for children in Japan tobe able to speak up and to transform the country
into a society that listens to their concerns. We
believe that Japan is in need of the WE Day event
which empowers children to create a better world
by taking action themselves. Thus, the name ofthe event was changed to "Change Makers Fes"
as the Japanese version, we co-hosted it with the
Nippon Foundation at Tokyo Dome City Hall on
March 28, 2023.

When FTC conducted an awareness survey ofparticipants and non-participants to evaluate theimpact of the WE Day project over a 10-year
period, we found that the childhood experienceof civic engagement made them realize that they
could make a difference through their own
actions, and that the wellbeing of children who
joined in community service improved. The
study also found that they were also 16% more
likely to vote in elections than those who did not
join.

We invited participants to take part in the eventon two conditions: they had to be 25 years old or
younger, and they had to report having takensome kind of action contributing to the Global
Goals (SDGs). We received very unique activity
reports from over 6,000 participants. For
example, junior high school students in Saitama
City thought that bullying and abuse of children
sometimes went unchecked because many ofthem were unaware of their rights. Theysuggested to the superintendent of schools that
the Convention on the Rights of the Child be
included in their student handbooks. Their idea
was implemented by the city starting this April.
One elementary school student made and soldshaved ice and donated the proceeds to a foster
home. Junior high school students who love theocean wanted to do something about the ocean
plastic waste problem, so they organized beachcleanup activities and made posters to raiseawareness. One group of elementary and junior

Meanwhile, according to the "Survey Report on
Attitudes toward Social Participation of HighSchool Students: Comparison of Japan, theUnited States, China, and South Korea (2021)"
by the National Institution for Youth Education,
about 80% of Japanese high school students
think that social issues are relevant to their lives,
yet 64.6% believe that "society will not changeeven if I participate," which is more than double
the percentage in the other three countries. In
addition, a survey by the Ministry of Health,
Labor and Welfare announced that the number of
elementary, junior high and high school students
who took their own lives during 2022, was 514,
the largest number ever.
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high school students made a presentation for the
local school board to convince them to replace
the plastic straws in school lunches with paper
straws. A college student traveled to Poland tohelp Ukrainian refugees of the Russian invasion,and a high school student made a video to help
end the war. I was very encouraged by the reportsof the wide variety of actions taken by theseyoung people thinking about the community andthe Earth. We are currently compiling theirstories into a "Social Action Report" and will
upload it to the FTCJ web page as soon as it iscompleted.

Online Newsletteraka Ogi Mama and Suzuki siblings

On the day of the event, about 1,200 young
people gathered at the venue and 300 joined us
online. A total of over 30 performers including
ambassadors for the event, Anna Tsuchiya,
Sumire, and Chihiro Watanabe (a visually
impaired singer-songwriter), bands, models, DJs,
actors, comedians, influencers, YouTubers, andactivists joined the event to celebrate the impact
young people had made on local and global
issues and said, "Your actions are changing theworld for the better. Thank you! " The stage wasan unprecedented combination of speeches onenvironmental issues, human rights, peace anddiversity, as well as visual and musicalentertainment. Since the event was held justbefore April 1, when Japan's first comprehensive
children’s rights law came into effect and theChildren and Families Agency was to beinaugurated, we received a message from
Masanobu Ogura, Minister of Policies Related toChildren and Parliamentary Secretary Nanako
Jimi to mark the occasion, and hosted a talk showwith Naoki Ogi (aka Ogi Mama) and somechildren on the topic of "Making Children's
Voices Heard in Society".

The finale

Finally, let me share a quote from the video
message sent to us by Craig, the founder of the
FTC, now 40 years old. “Today I want tocongratulate you and your work. When you see
injustice, whether at your home or around theworld, when you see the need to act, and whensomeone stands up for what they believe in, I
want to wish you all the best to be a changemaker,
to keep being idealistic, and to keep moving tocreate a positive impact in the world. Because
together we can change the world."

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Online Newsletter[About Free The Children Japan][Profile of Ms. Nakajima]

Free The Children Japan (FTCJ) is a NPO that started

In 1997, while interning at an NGO in the U.S.,

its activities in Japan in 1999 in support of the

Nakajima learned about Free The Children and,philosophy of Free The Children, founded in 1995 by aresonating with its philosophy, founded Free The

12-year-old Canadian boy, Craig Kielburger, to freeChildren Japan in 1999 after returning to Japan. Sincechildren from poverty, that "children are not just people

then, she has been involved in the organization's

to be helped, they are agents of change. “FTCJ is

activities. Published books include "Challenge! Kids

empowering children and youth in Japan to become

Speech" (Otsuki Shoten). In 2007, she earned thechangemakers who can tackle social issues, in parallel"Youthwith its international cooperation activities in theInternational and became a member of the Niigata City

Philippines, India, Kenya, and other countries.

Committee for the Promotion of Children's Rights in

LeadershipAward"

fromSoroptimist

July 2022.

Experiences of women with disabilities in Bangladesh during
the COVID-19 pandemic- KANAZAWA Mami,
2021/22 KFAW Visiting Researcher
As a visiting researcher at KFAW 2021/22, I
investigated the impact of the coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the daily lives ofwomen with disabilities in Bangladesh. This isa brief report of that investigation.

marginalized, and they have not benefitted fromthe recent economic development.
"Disability is not a sin, not a curse let us wipe out
the wrong concept.” These words are posted on
the top page of the Disability Information Systemon the government website. People withdisabilities continue to face many disadvantages
in various aspects, including daily life, education,
employment, and marriage, owing to prejudice
and discrimination from their families andcommunities. The disadvantages are even greater
for women with disabilities who faceintersectional and multiple discriminations not
only because they are women but also because
they have a disability.

In recent years, seeing made-in-Bangladesh
clothing in fast fashion stores, such as UNIQLO,
has become common. Bangladesh, which once
experienced dire poverty, is now known
worldwide for its remarkable economic
development in recent years owing to thegarment industry. This economic development
has changed the lives of Bangladeshi citizens
significantly. However, people with disabilities,
who account for 1.4% of the country’s total
population (Census 2022), continue to be8

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Muslim woman because she could not show her
skin in public. Therefore, she covered herself
with her shawl and unstitched her clothes toreceive the vaccine. Finally, excretion was asignificant problem among women withdisabilities during the pandemic due to theincrease in public interest in water and sanitation
to prevent the spread of infection. This problem
was most prominent in rural areas of Bangladesh
where toilets and tube wells are located outside
the house. To use the toilet, a woman must first
go to the tube well and pump water, which she
can take to the toilet. If she finds it difficult topump water and take it to the toilet by herself
because of her impairment, she must ask
someone for help every time she goes to the toilet.
Importantly, young women with disabilities findit embarrassing to ask others, including family
members, for help. Furthermore, the family
member from whom she seeks help might beoccupied, requiring her to resist going to thetoilet. In this regard, one woman shared thatwhen the pandemic forced her to stay at home,
she withheld water and food so that she would
not have to go to the toilet as often. Men withdisabilities also faced problems related to waterand sanitation problems. However, in their case,they and their family members believed that theirfamily was supposed to take care of males, sothey received the care they required. The three
instances discussed above highlight theintersectional disadvantages that women withdisabilities face both as women and as people
with disabilities. At the same time, some womenwith disabilities who are members oforganizations for women with disabilities
received information about COVID-19 andemergency relief supplies through theirorganization. They shared this information and

Woman with disabilities weaving a carpet

During COVID-19, people with disabilities
faced several challenges, including economic
impacts such as unemployment, exclusion fromemergency support by governments and NGOs,
and difficulty accessing information about
COVID-19 prevention. Women without
disabilities also faced difficulties such as
economic impacts, the risk of domestic violence,and increasing unpaid care work in the household.
Women with disabilities faced not only thechallenges mentioned above, but also thefollowing:First, many of these women who worked as
tailors, domestic workers, and so on lost theirjobs due to the pandemic．Their impairments andgender made it difficult for them to get other jobs.
This led to a significant increase in the numberof extremely poor households with women withdisabilities. Second, one of the venues where
COVID-19 vaccination was being administered
was located on the second floor of a building
without an elevator. This prevented a wheelchairbound woman from entering the venue, and she
had to be vaccinated on the street. During
vaccination, she was told to take off her clothes
and expose her shoulders, even though she wason the street. This was not possible for her as a

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the emergency relief supplies with their family
and neighbors. Through this exchange, theirrelationship with their family and neighborschanged, and they were accepted in the family
and community.

Online Newsletter
points about women with disabilities. One, they
faced difficulties as people with disabilities, as
women, and as women with disabilities. Two,
women with disabilities who were marginalized
by their families and communities could restore
their dignity when they belonged to relatedorganizations.

Thus, the investigation revealed two importantThank you for reading. Any comments and suggestions are welcome.
Email us!
info@kfaw.or.jp10