Kagawa International Volunteer Center (KVC) was founded in 1993 as the first international cooperation group in Kagawa Prefecture created by local citizens. Under the motto "Building people builds a nation," it mainly supports the self-reliance of Laos, a small country in Southeast Asia. It became an NPO in 2003 and was certified as a certified NPO in March 2022.
In Laos, KVC has continued to build primary schools funded by donations, donate textbooks, picture books and stationery, and provide scholarships to students at the National University of Laos. In September 2022 it launched a fundraising project for the Hoaihom Primary School, which gathered about 8 million yen from around 150 individuals and groups, and the school was completed in February 2023. It also supports the clearance of unexploded ordnance.
To nurture young people in Kagawa, it has run the "Kagawa International Volunteer Mirai Juku" since 2003, sending high school students and others to Laos, with the 18th held in December 2025. Applications for the 2026 program have closed, but the official website reports that KVC took part in the "Kagawa International Festa 2026 in Marugame" in July.
Key points
- Founded in 1993 as the first international cooperation group in Kagawa created by local citizens
- Has built schools and vocational training centers in Laos, and continues to donate textbooks and picture books
- The "Mirai Juku" program sends high school students to Laos, developing people in both Kagawa and Laos
Why this organization's work stands out
Under the motto "Those with money give money, those with strength give strength, those with wisdom give wisdom, and those with nothing give sweat," members take part in whatever way they can. It also comes across that KVC values learning from its partners through cooperation rather than offering one-way support.
Annual activity and financial reports and a list of officers are published on the official website, which makes it a useful reference as an organization supported by its local community.
Editor's comment
Learning that this activity has been sustained for over 30 years by donations and participation from local people reminded me how important it is to connect with the world from our own communities.
The latest on Mirai Juku and other events is on the official website. Please take a look.