“I couldn’t believe water would actually come out.”

That one comment marked the first step in transforming the lives of 80,000 people.

But that wasn’t the goal — it was just the starting line. Even with water, without access to education or job opportunities, it’s still difficult to build a brighter future.

Community-based support for self-reliance—starting with water—is now needed more than ever before.

In a world where 2.2 billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, reaching “50,000” people is a tremendous challenge for us. That’s because we’re aiming to reach 50,000 people in just five years — the same scale of support it took us 24 years to deliver to 80,000. Now begins the challenge of not only bringing life-saving water to each individual, but also supporting the journey toward self-reliance.

The Risks Faced in Remote Areas with Poor Access, Far from Major Towns, and Beyond the Reach of Government and NGO Support

Our activities always start in response to needs expressed by the local communities. However, without sufficient funding, we are unable to meet those needs.

Even after more than 20 years of working in the field, the need for support remains urgent.

For example, in Ethiopia, the government is overwhelmed with managing tribal conflicts in the northern regions, and infrastructure development in rural areas has been left behind. In recent years, the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has made the situation even worse — many migrant workers who lost their jobs have returned to rural villages, only to find no work available, deepening the cycle of poverty. This ongoing situation continues to fuel a high demand for self-reliance support.

The areas where HOPE works are often remote, far from towns, with poor access and little to no support from the government or other NGOs. In these regions, there is a severe shortage of safe water, sanitation facilities, and adequate food — conditions that have a serious impact on health and living environments. Children and the elderly, in particular, face high risks of diarrhea, dehydration, and infectious diseases caused by contaminated water, making immediate support essential.

This is not an issue limited to the areas where HOPE works. According to UNICEF, as of 2022, some 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack access to safely managed drinking water. Even today, one in four people rely on untreated sources such as lakes and rivers for their daily water needs.

Voices from Our Cambodian Staff

When I see families right in front of me who are hungry, I cannot just walk away. They have no food to eat and no access to safe drinking water. I cannot abandon them, ignore them, or leave them in such conditions.

Even if we give them something today, it would only last for half a day or a single day. But by building just one well, we can support ten families — and generations to come. It’s not just about today or tomorrow; the impact will last for a hundred years.

Aiming to Build a World Where Everyone Can Reach Their Full Potential, No Matter Where They Are Born

We are an NPO working toward Helping the Neglected Poor Become Self-reliant. Our vision is to create a world where each person is empowered to reach their full potential, no matter the circumstances where they were born. We support and enable individuals suffering from ultra-poverty in Ethiopia, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

Since launching our activities in 2001, we have carried forward the motto "from water to self-reliance."

Our efforts include building wells and water supply systems to provide access to safe drinking water, delivering health and hygiene education, supporting agriculture, constructing schools, and creating opportunities for higher education.

By offering phased support — from building the foundations of daily life to achieving economic independence — we help communities expand their future opportunities.

Our goal is not just to provide aid, but to empower people to gain skills, knowledge, and ownership through our programs, enabling them to move forward independently even after the projects are completed.

Continuing Our Support to Help More People Break Free from Poverty and Shape Their Own Futures

To meet the growing needs and sustain our activities, stable funding is essential. In particular, there are two key areas we are determined to focus on going forward.

■ Strengthening "Two Forms of Self-Reliance" Through Step-by-Step Support

When families gain stable access to clean water, no longer affected by the whims of the weather, their lives change dramatically compared to before. The most noticeable change is seen in women and children, who used to spend countless hours every day fetching water. Children’s health improves, their desire to learn grows, and they are able to attend school. If there are no schools in the area, HOPE steps in to build them — and sometimes even establishes libraries to provide further opportunities for learning and expanding future possibilities.

We also teach women that they have the skills to earn an income by utilizing their household abilities, and we provide financial literacy education. We support women in starting joint businesses, helping them achieve economic independence through small-scale enterprises.

These changes gradually spread throughout families and entire communities, influencing even the attitudes of men. When women and men begin to respect each other and build equal partnerships, it leads to a deeper, society-wide transformation.

By offering comprehensive support tailored to each stage of self-reliance, we aim to foster not only economic independence but also psychological empowerment. Through addressing deep-rooted gender inequalities and revitalizing local communities, we work to make self-reliance a lasting reality.

Stories from the Community

A New Start: 11-Year-Old Boy Returns to School

In Sameit Village, Cambodia, the installation of a well led to increased agricultural income.

As a result, an 11-year-old boy who had once been forced to leave school was able to return to elementary school.

Previously, poverty had made it impossible for him to continue his education, but now his family is supporting his dream of going on to junior high.

He shared with us, “I want to keep studying hard — for my family.”

Coffee, Hope, and a Changing Life

In a village in Ethiopia, a group of women who received support were able to learn business skills and open a café.

“This support gave me hope,” one woman told us with sparkling eyes. “Now I can send my children to school, and even my husband came to understand my work — there were days when he cooked meals for us. I never imagined a day like this would come.”

A Village Where Women's Voices Are Heard

In a village where water supply has begun, improved hygiene awareness has led to the spread of household toilets, the elimination of open defecation, and a healthier living environment.

What’s more, in a community where male dominance was once the norm, support programs have helped reduce discrimination and violence against women. Today, women are beginning to speak up at village meetings.

Women who once found it difficult to raise their voices are now starting to talk about the future of their community — and finding more spaces where they can thrive.

■ Expanding Our Reach to New Communities

Our journey, which began 24 years ago with the construction of a single well in a small village in Cambodia, has since expanded to surrounding villages, then to new regions, and even across national borders to other countries facing similar hardships.

However, even after completing a project in one area, there are still many people who urgently need support.

When a village gains access to clean water, children begin attending school, forming friendships, expanding their horizons, and adults increasingly find opportunities for new jobs. Seeing these transformations, neighboring villages begin reaching out to us with heartfelt requests: "Please bring your programs to our village too." Witnessing firsthand the positive change in nearby communities gives others hope — hope that they too can change — and so the ripple of support continues to spread.

In the regions where HOPE operates, communities are often more tightly knit than in Japan, and individual success alone does not easily lead to the development of the broader community. That’s why our approach goes beyond supporting individuals; we aim to foster growth across entire communities.

Looking ahead, we plan to launch new initiatives in Gofa, located in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region of Ethiopia. There, we will begin with clean water supply projects as a foundation for self-reliance, while also working to protect water sources and surrounding environments, particularly as natural disasters like landslides have become more frequent in recent years. In Cambodia, we plan to support the newly growing communities in Veal Veng, Pursat Province — an area experiencing an influx of settlers following landmine clearance — by providing access to clean water and helping to establish stable living conditions.

We will continue expanding our activities, reaching more people, and supporting them as they break free from poverty and carve out their own futures with their own strength.

Stories from the Community

Change Begins in a Village Where Water Arrived

In Oyda District, Ethiopia, Meseret (then 33) recalled how some villagers initially opposed the construction of a water point, saying, “There’s no way that could ever work.”

But when the water point was completed and water actually flowed, she told us, “It felt like a gift from God.”

In the past, many people lost their lives due to contaminated water. Today, with access to safe water, Meseret can live with peace of mind — even while expecting a child.

She shared that she no longer spends hours fetching water and can now use her time to work instead.

With better hygiene, family relationships have also improved. An awareness of “respecting women” is gradually taking root in the community.

Carrying these changes into the next generation won't be easy, but she says with quiet confidence, “I believe that’s possible too.”

Beyond the Donation — Big Change Starts with Small, Ongoing Support

Ultimately, we need 250 million yen (approximately USD 1.6 million) annually to sustain our activities. In order to carry out our work steadily in the field, covering organizational operating costs is also essential. While we make use of grants and other funding sources, as an NPO, we aim to build a world where each person is empowered to reach their full potential — and we cannot do that without your support.

For example:

• With ¥12,000 per year, you can provide one school desk for an elementary school student.
• With ¥24,000 per year, you can provide vegetable seeds and farming tools to a family, along with training to start a home garden.
• With ¥60,000 per year, you can support a family with hygiene education and the construction of a toilet.

In this way, our support extends beyond simply providing water — it touches many aspects of life and self-reliance.

In 2026, HOPE International Development Agency will celebrate its 25th anniversary since beginning our activities.

But we are not stopping here. We will continue striving toward even greater goals — aiming to support the self-reliance of 50,000 people by the year 2030.

The support gathered through this campaign will be used for the following activities:

• Organizational operation costs
• Overseas project expenses (construction of water supply facilities, health and hygiene education, agricultural support, school construction, higher education support, and support for women's income-generating activities)

Message from Our Representative: “Building Self-Reliant Communities”

Jeffrey Behr, Executive Director

As we approach our 25th anniversary, I am filled with gratitude and determination. For nearly a quarter-century, HOPE Japan has worked tirelessly to empower communities in Cambodia, Ethiopia, and the Philippines. Through clean water projects, educational initiatives, and livelihood programs, we have witnessed countless lives transformed. Yet, our mission is far from complete.

This milestone is not just a celebration of past achievements but a call to action for the future. We are committed to expanding our reach and broadening the scope of our support—from water and education to self-help programs fostering sustainable agriculture and other businesses that achieve self-reliance for our beneficiaries.

Our long-term vision remains steadfast: building self-reliant communities, starting with access to clean water as the foundation for growth.

The challenges we face inspire us to innovate and deepen our impact. Together with you, our gracious and sustaining supporters, we will continue bridging gaps between ideals and reality, ensuring that no one is left behind. I invite you to join us on this journey of hope and transformation.

Thank you for being an essential part of our mission. Together, we can create a brighter future for those who need it most.

Warm regards,

Jeffrey Behr

Executive Director

HOPE Japan

Final Thoughts

There are many reasons why people may find themselves in need of support. It could be the illness of a family breadwinner or the loss of livelihood due to a natural disaster — just as our lives here in Japan can change unexpectedly, so too do the lives of people in developing countries who face unpredictable challenges and hardships.

Our vision is to create a world where each person is empowered to reach their full potential, no matter the circumstances where they are born. To achieve this, we are committed to improving the quality of our support and building programs that can reach even more people. And to make it happen, we need companions to continue delivering empowerment – from water to self-reliance.

Your support has the power to change someone's future.

Please join us in this journey as we take on new challenges toward our 25th anniversary!

About Us

We are an NPO working toward Helping the Neglected Poor Become Self-reliant. Our vision is to create a world where each person is empowered to reach their full potential, no matter the circumstances where they were born. We support and enable individuals suffering from ultra-poverty in Ethiopia, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

Over the past 24 years, more than 80,000 people have gained access to clean water and have been able to build self-reliant lives.