Standing with the Local Perspective and Position | Yuki Fujiwara
Up to this point, various staff members have written wonderful essays from the perspective of us, the ones delivering support, explaining why projects addressing "early pregnancy" are necessary, what our goals are, what we hope to achieve by providing this support, and the details of those efforts.>>>Click here for previous essays
This time, I would like to share the thoughts of Fujiwara, who is in charge of our overseas projects.
The perspective of those receiving support
As someone in charge of overseas projects who frequently visits the field, I would like to introduce another perspective—not from the side delivering support, but from the local side receiving it. This is because the local perspective is the core of any project; I feel that sustainable projects are only born when the local community believes they are necessary and takes the lead in implementing them.
Sex education class
"Becoming a mother at 12." While I cannot literally become a 12-year-old girl in Vita, Kenya, I can imagine what it might be like.
When I was 12, I was in my sixth year of elementary school. In sixth grade, we had one or two sex education classes, perhaps as part of science or ethics. My homeroom teacher, who was always laughing, tried to teach the class with an incredibly serious face. If I recall correctly, what we learned then was about secondary sexual characteristics—the content being that physical traits change for men and women during puberty. For example, men's shoulders broaden, women's chests develop, and so on.
Even then, I remember feeling embarrassed and tending to keep my face turned toward my desk. Everyone around me felt the same.
In Japan, knowledge regarding sex and reproduction is treated as a kind of taboo, and it is generally considered something not to be discussed loudly in public.
It is something we feel "embarrassed" about for some reason from such a young age. The same is true in Kenya.
Now, what would happen if, in such a naive and delicate age group and culture, people with different skin colors suddenly entered the classroom and, claiming it was "necessary knowledge," suddenly pulled out a condom and started a demonstration? It would become impossible to seriously absorb any knowledge.
To ensure we do not impose things from only one side like this, we strive to understand local needs as much as possible and build our support in a way that allows us to realize the future we want to achieve together.
Support that stands with the local perspective and position
Our partner organizations are local NGOs well-versed in the local culture, and the local children have been cooperating with us since the very early stages before the project even began.
Through careful interviews by local staff and discussions among groups of children, it became clear that there was a lack of knowledge regarding contraception and a lack of people to consult with. Following that, the children themselves came up with a lively list of things they wanted to try.
For example, workshops where they become the teachers, or a swimming competition and lecture at the local lake.
Conversely, it is not realistic to implement only what the locals want to do. It costs money, and things can become disorganized before reaching any results.
However, we can provide support exactly where it is truly needed, to the extent necessary, and build that support "together" with the local community.So that the children of Vita can make their own decisions regarding their own sexuality and reproduction, and beyond that, so that they can grasp a positive future for themselves.
We will continue to implement our projects while standing with the local perspective.
Thank you very much for reading this far.
Until August 30th, I am taking on a crowdfunding challenge to build a future for girls in Kenya.
I would truly appreciate your warm support and encouragement.
■ Crowdfunding Overview
"Becoming a mother at 12" Preventing premature pregnancy! A new challenge to build a future for girls in Kenya
Target Amount: 3.5 million yen
Duration: July 11 (Tue) 10:00 AM - August 30 (Wed) 11:59 PM, 51 days
Use of Funds: Operating funds for a new project (a program targeting teenage girls in Kenya starting this summer)
▼ Click here for details and to support the crowdfunding campaign
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