SHAPLA NEER is an international cooperation NGO that aims for a society free of poverty, where the rich potential of every person can flourish. Its slogan is "Don't leave behind those small voices." Behind wars and large-scale natural disasters, it listens to people who struggle with the difficulties of daily life, and values feeling, thinking and acting together with them.
Its work began about 50 years ago with rural support in Bangladesh just after the war of independence. Today it has offices in Bangladesh, Nepal and Japan. Its main activities include support for girls working as domestic workers and community-based cyclone risk reduction in Bangladesh, reduction and prevention of child labor and flood risk reduction in Nepal, and emergency relief in both countries.
In Japan, it works toward an inclusive society that leaves no one with foreign roots behind, and carries out lectures, study tours, development education materials and publishing. Buying fair trade products also helps improve the livelihoods of producers in Bangladesh and Nepal, so people can take part through everyday shopping.
Key points
- More than 50 years of work on poverty in South Asia and Japan since its founding in 1972
- A wide range of fields, including children's education, reduction of child labor, disaster risk reduction, emergency relief and fair trade
- Many ways to take part, from donations and membership to fair trade shopping, volunteering and development education materials
Why this organization deserves attention
It focuses on "left-behind problems" that support rarely reaches, aiming to bring change not only to the people directly affected but also to those around them and society as a whole. It describes learning from failures over the years to find the kind of support that people truly need.
It is also appealing that it connects work abroad with building an inclusive society and raising awareness among citizens in Japan. Besides donating or becoming a member, there are entry points from daily life, such as fair trade products and ways to give goods a second use.
Editor's comment
The words "Don't leave behind those small voices" feel like a quiet resolve to look at everyday troubles that rarely make the news. Its work linking South Asia and Japan reminds us that our own lives are connected to the world.
You can read activity reports and event announcements on the official website. Why not take a look, starting with what you can do?