Ashinaga (organization)

Ashinaga is a non-profit organization based in Japan that provides educational and emotional support to orphaned students. Founded in 1967 by Yoshiomi Tamai after a personal tragedy, Ashinaga initially focused on supporting children who had lost parents in traffic accidents. Over time, its mission expanded to include all children who have lost one or both parents due to illness, disaster, or suicide.

The organization offers a variety of programs, including:

• Financial Aid: Ashinaga provides scholarships and financial assistance to help students cover tuition, living expenses, and other educational costs.

• Emotional Support: Camps and retreats are organized to provide grieving students with opportunities to connect with peers, share their experiences, and receive counseling. These camps often involve activities aimed at fostering resilience and self-esteem.

• Leadership Development: Ashinaga emphasizes the importance of leadership skills and offers programs to help students develop their potential as future leaders in their communities.

• Advocacy: The organization advocates for the rights and needs of orphaned children at the national and international levels.

• Ashinaga Africa Initiative: This initiative provides scholarships to orphaned students from Sub-Saharan Africa to study at universities in Japan and other countries. The goal is to support future leaders who can contribute to the development of their home countries.

Ashinaga operates primarily through donations from individuals and corporations. It maintains a strong presence in Japan and has expanded its outreach to other countries through its international initiatives. The organization's name, Ashinaga, is derived from a Japanese folktale about a "long-legged" man who helps a "long-armed" man reach fruit high in a tree, symbolizing the importance of mutual support and cooperation.