ESA (Education Sponsorship in Asia) is a certified NPO that aims for a society in which children in Bangladesh and India can live with dreams and hope, using the power of education. It began in 1979 from the strong wish of one Japanese woman who had seen poverty in Asia firsthand, and has continued for more than 40 years.
In rural areas of both countries, children's rights are hard to protect because of a shortage of schools, low parental income and weak infrastructure. ESA builds and runs primary schools in poor villages and provides free, good-quality education. It also offers teacher training, school meals and health checkups, and schooling support at "Children's Homes" where girls with difficult family circumstances live.
To date ESA has built six schools and two children's homes in Bangladesh and India. According to its website, support from its Education Supporters helps 1,400 children in the two countries attend school. It also introduces ways to help other than donating, such as buying its original spices and tea.
Key points
- Not only builds schools but runs them over the long term, including building maintenance and teacher training
- Focuses on an environment where children can keep learning, with school meals, health checkups and homes for girls
- Many ways to take part: donations, buying spices, volunteering and study tours
Why this organization's work stands out
At a time when short-term, project-based support is increasing, ESA stands out for building schools and continuing to run them over a long period. Its hope that graduates will become members who support society also comes through clearly.
Options such as buying spices and tea, or donating unused postcards and stamps, make it easy to take part in daily life. The wide range of entry points is reassuring for first-time supporters.
Editor's comment
True to the words "education is the path to a child's future," the steady work of protecting places to learn is encouraging. It is also nice that you can support them through everyday shopping.
Details of the activities and how to take part are on the official website. Please take a look.