IV-JAPAN is an international cooperation NGO that supports the independence of women and young people through vocational training and education. It began in 1988 as a voluntary group named the "Kokusai Volunteer no Kai" (International Volunteer Association) and was incorporated in 2003. Its current name carries on the initials of its English name.
Its work rests on three educational support programs: scholarships that began in Thailand in 1990, vocational training carried out in northeastern Thailand the same year, and school construction that began in Laos in 1994. In Laos it has built not only primary schools but also kindergartens, junior high schools, vocational training centers and libraries, and is reported to have set up educational facilities at 30 sites nationwide as of 2020. Sewing, beauty and cooking have long been the core of its vocational training, and in recent years it has expanded to woodworking (furniture making) and hospitality for the hotel and caregiving fields.
After learning skills in the beginner and intermediate courses, trainees in the advanced course polish their skills while running a shop, and also pick up business know-how. Some graduates open small shops and become independent, and training costs and living expenses are supported by "scholarship" donors. In Japan, it also carries out international understanding activities such as taking part in events and exchanges with foreign residents.
Key points
- Vocational training that has grown from sewing, beauty and cooking to woodworking, hotels and caregiving
- Educational facilities such as schools and training centers set up at 30 sites across Laos (as of 2020)
- A system in which trainees also learn business know-how, leading to employment or independence after completion
Why this organization deserves attention
Its distinguishing feature is that it supports people continuously from education to independence by combining the creation of places to learn through school construction, vocational training to acquire skills, and scholarships that make both possible. It regards graduates building their own livelihoods through employment or starting a business as an important result.
It is also impressive that a small group that began as a voluntary association has continued its work for more than 30 years. It is encouraging, too, that there are ways to take part from Japan, such as becoming a scholarship donor or a volunteer.
Editor's comment
The words "with a trade in your hands, you can open even a small shop" carry a real sense of how skills give people confidence. I was struck by the idea that the joy of learning leads to inner independence.
The official website also lets you read its newsletter, IV-NEWS. Why not start by taking a look at what its activities are like?