Kopotokko Bangladesh was founded in August 2004. It is a volunteer group that promotes cultural exchange between Japan and Bangladesh while supporting residents of flood-affected areas in Bangladesh.
In Japan, it has held Bangladeshi food tasting events regularly since 2006 and takes part in international exchange events around the country to share the culture and daily life of Bangladesh. It also dispatches interpreters to medical institutions and schools to support Bangladeshi residents in Japan, and runs lessons for children at elementary schools.
In Bangladesh, it collects used clothing, stationery and other supplies and distributes them to residents of flood-affected areas. Since 2005 it has sold women's handicrafts in Japan so that the proceeds help cover living costs and school fees, and since 2009 it has run vocational training and hand-embroidery contests. Since 2012 it has also run the Kopotokko-Yano Education Fund, which covers high school entrance costs and three years of tuition for 30 outstanding junior high school students each year.
Key points
- Cultural exchange through food events and lessons that share Bangladesh's culture in Japan
- Sales of hand embroidery (kantha) by local women help pay for living costs and children's school fees
- An education fund since 2012 supporting 30 junior high school students a year through high school
Why this organization's work stands out
It goes beyond relief supplies to support both daily life and the future, from creating work for women to helping children continue their education. Embroidery sales also offer an easy way to take part, since a purchase becomes support.
Its attention to Bangladeshi people living in Japan, through interpreting support and lessons for children, is also a useful reference.
Editor's comment
Learning that each stitch of colorful kantha embroidery supports the lives of local women and children made me feel the link between everyday shopping and international cooperation.
Information on how to take part and how to get in touch is on the official website. Please take a look.