The Association for Rengein Tanjoji International Cooperation (Renge International Volunteer Association) is a certified NPO that began in 1980 and has carried out international cooperation, mainly educational support, in Asia for 45 years. It grew out of support in a refugee camp in Cambodia, and has worked mainly in education and culture for people in severe circumstances such as poverty and discrimination. Rather than one-off aid, it values building long-term relationships with communities.
Its projects combine "hardware" support with "software" support. The hardware side includes building, renovating and extending school buildings, learning spaces such as libraries and computer rooms, safe and sanitary toilets, and basic infrastructure such as electricity and water supply and sewage. The software side is participatory workshops for children, teachers, parents and local residents. It emphasizes building the ability to maintain and improve the school environment on their own, even after support ends.
In the Karwari (カルワリ) district of India, it renovated toilets and added a library and a computer room, and it is reported that 65 new students enrolled within half a year. The number of students absent because of hygiene or menstruation fell to zero, and the attendance rate improved to 97%. In Myanmar, it built 113 schools between 2013 and 2023, and 1,644 teachers took part in training. Its activities in Myanmar ended in December 2023.
Key points
- 45 years of educational support in Asia since its founding in 1980
- A project model combining improvements to school buildings and toilets with participatory workshops
- Built 113 schools in Myanmar and now works to improve school environments in India
Why this organization deserves attention
It does not stop at improving school buildings; it builds a system in which children, teachers, parents and local people protect the school together. It shows concretely how hygiene and facilities can determine whether children can keep attending school.
Results are reported in figures such as enrollment and attendance. The uses of donations are also introduced concretely from 1,000 yen, making it easy for first-time supporters to picture how they can help.
Editor's comment
The idea that familiar things like toilets and leaking roofs can shape children's motivation to learn reminds us again how much a learning environment matters. Being able to keep going to school is by no means something to be taken for granted.
On the official website you can read in detail about project results and the voices of children. Why not take a look?