Japan has a unique history as an aid donor in that it has experienced the hardship and sometimes humiliation of being on the receiving end of aid. Japan is also in a unique position to show compassion and Japanese people have first-hand experience of the importance of school meals.
Today a modern economy, Japan has been built on the success and growth of previous generations of children. In earlier generations these children received their school meals thanks to the goodwill of strangers.
Malawi has consistently ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world. 80% of the population work in agriculture and many are trapped in rural poverty which often leads to children being withdrawn from school. However, Malawi has also consistently ranked as one of the kindest countries in the world to strangers (6th in the world in 2016*) and has earned the name- Warm Heart of Africa.
*Source: CAF World Giving Index
– Have had diplomatic relations since 1964 when Malawi achieved independence
– Malawi is the largest beneficiary of Japanese volunteers in the world
People often ask why Seibo began a global movement in Japan?
The answer is far from simple. A good decision is based on a multiplicity of reasons.
In 2015 the situation in Malawi needed a response so a meeting was held at the Beehive in southern Malawi. The meeting attendees included Sawako Nevin, a Japanese lady who had experience in establishing school feeding in Malawi, Declan Somers an Irish volunteer who spoke Japanese and Peter Nkata a Malawian who had fundraised for Japan in 2011. Our lives are defined by opportunities.
With your help and support a decision made in Malawi at a time of crisis can help to free the potential of more and more children and in so doing transform our world.