As high school students, we’re passionate about giving back through volunteer activities, like reading to children in our hometown. Now, we aim to extend our reach by delivering picture books directly to children living in orphanages and disadvantaged communities in the Philippines. Through this project, we hope to share Japanese culture and build meaningful connections with these children. Your support will help cover the costs of our activities and travel expenses. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

We are 17 first-year high school students from English Club in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture. During junior high school, many of our activities were restricted due to COVID-19, which was a challenging and frustrating time for us. Now, after years of studying English together, we have launched the 'Picture Book Project,' aiming to turn our learning into a real-world contribution that benefits our community and the world. Through this project, we hope to inspire children to enjoy learning English and to share Japanese culture globally.

Our picture books are created with the help of yukAI—an AI application developed by English club—and advanced image-generating AI. Please support our efforts to make a difference!

☆ Our goal is for all members to travel to Cebu, Philippines, to personally deliver two original picture books and a cultural book about Japan to children in poverty-stricken areas of Cebu Island, connecting with them through direct interaction.

☆ We also aim to participate in various community-based volunteer activities, such as educational support and food education for children, including those living in maritime and cemetery slums, mountain villages, and communities around trash heaps. Through these unique volunteer efforts, we hope to make a meaningful impact!

Activities in the Philippines

All 17 high school students will travel to the Philippines to deliver original picture books directly to local children and read to them in person. We plan to bring additional books introducing Japanese culture, offering insights into Japanese school life, food, world heritage sites, and more. These cultural lessons will be presented in a fun quiz format, centered around "a day in the life of a Japanese elementary student." By engaging with local children, we aim to create a heartfelt cultural exchange.

Local Activities

We are actively sharing the joy of learning English and building connections with children through community-based initiatives. These include cleanup activities along the Suimon River, participating in city events, and reading our original picture books at local kindergartens and elementary schools. To further our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we also collaborate with Rilful Inc. on the “Marble Crayon Project,” which repurposes discarded crayons into eco-friendly art supplies for local children.

Through these activities, we aim to inspire children to enjoy learning English and to experience Japanese culture in a meaningful way. As high school students, we are excited to expand our abilities to interact with diverse communities and contribute positively to both our local and global society.

Background

The idea for this project began with our desire to apply the English we’ve learned over the years in a meaningful way. In Cebu, Philippines, many children live in trash heaps, slums, and orphanages, where access to education and learning opportunities is limited. When we learned about this, we asked ourselves what we could do to help—and decided to bring hope and joy to these children through picture books.

Our English teacher, Ms. Yuka, supports us wholeheartedly. She believes in the importance of “actually going there, seeing, and experiencing the situation firsthand.” Due to pandemic restrictions, we spent much of junior high limited in what we could do, so she encourages us now to view social issues as our own, to consider how we can make a difference, and to take action—even if it means risking failure. Together with friends who have studied English with us for years, we’re ready to give this project our best effort!

Notes

• A representative from English Club will serve as the project owner, managing the project and ensuring the fulfillment of returns.

• Please note that since this project uses CAMPFIRE for Social Good, a 12% platform fee will be applied to your support.

Message of Support

"My name is Ikegashira, and I represent CEC, an organization that provides volunteer opportunities in Cebu, Philippines. Many children in Cebu’s impoverished areas lack access to picture books. Yet, the power of books—filled with dreams and hope—can play a vital role in shaping their futures.

Japanese high school students are taking on the challenge of crowdfunding to deliver these dreams to Cebu. Their passion and dedication will undoubtedly bring smiles to the children there. We wholeheartedly support this project and kindly ask for your warm support as well."

 - Mr. Ikegashira
President of CEC Japan Network Inc.