JHP – School Building Association is an international cooperation NGO that stays close to the wish to learn felt by each child and young person in Asia. The name JHP comes from "Japan team of young Human Power." It carries the hope that everyone involved, both people receiving support locally and supporters in Japan, can learn together as "ONE TEAM" and help one another fulfill the desire to learn.
It was founded in September 1993 under its original name, "the Association for Building Schools for Children in Cambodia." Its work centers on school construction and hygiene education, music and art education, literacy education for adults, and volunteer dispatch. As of February 2026, it reports having built 394 school buildings and 313 toilet blocks, mainly in Cambodia, with more than 600 people completing literacy classes and more than 1,280 volunteers sent.
Behind this work is an understanding that some people are too busy with daily life to think about learning, and others cannot picture learning as an option for themselves. For this reason, it values opening places where everyone can encounter learning, whether or not they can say they want to learn. It also builds schools in Nepal and offers volunteer experiences and events in Japan.
Key points
- School construction and education support in Cambodia since its founding in 1993 (394 school buildings as of February 2026)
- Beyond building schools, it supports learning in many ways, including music and art education and adult literacy classes
- Volunteer dispatch, experience volunteering and donations offer ways to take part from Japan
Why this organization deserves attention
For more than 30 years it has done more than put up buildings, working on the content of learning as well, such as music, art and literacy education. Together with local governments and educational institutions, it works to create environments where each person can develop their strengths.
Its view that supporters are also fellow learners walking as "ONE TEAM" is memorable. Besides donating or becoming a supporter, people can join volunteer activities and events or learn about international cooperation, so it is easy to choose how to get involved.
Editor's comment
A school building is the first step in giving children the reassurance that there is a place to learn. JHP's work shows that it also cares about the time children spend there encountering music, drawing and letters.
The official website carries activity reports and volunteer announcements. Why not take a look at an activity that interests you?