The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Japan received 3.4 Million Yen (31,100 USD) ‘International Voluntary Aid’ funds from ‘Japan Post’ for helping children in Nepal who have cleft lip and palate (CLP).

June 24, ADRA Japan board chairperson Takashi Shiraishi was invited by the president of ‘Kasumigaseki ‘Japan Post’ to receive the aid funding. ADRA Japan was greeted and received the funding along with 53 other International Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs).

‘Japan Post’ operates the ‘Postal Savings for the ‘International Voluntary Aid.’ Customers can choose to donate a fixed percentage of the after-tax interest accrued on Ordinary Savings to a wide range of aid projects to improve people’s living conditions around the world. Interest donated is distributed to NGOs.

This is the 11th time the ADRA Japan has supported the Nepal CLP project. According to the ADRA Japan Director Mitsuo Ishii, since 1995 ADRA Japan has helped operate on more than 480 children in Nepal who have cleft lip and palate. Tokyo Adventist Hospital originally started the CLP program with the further cooperation of three other hospitals.

A survey by ADRA shows most of the CLP patients have experienced teasing and disadvantages in schooling, marriage, and employment. Some children are bullied in their families and run away from home. These operations give great hope to the children in Nepal.

Currently ADRA Japan has projects along with the CLP program for educating Nepalese medical students, investing about 14 million Yen donated from organizations, businesses, and individuals, including 3.4 million Yen of the ‘International Volunteer Aid.’ It has been reported that the 3.4 million Yen to ADRA Japan is the third largest project among the 53 NGOs who receive the ‘International Voluntary Aid’ from the ‘Japan Post.’

Last year, the Nepalese Health Department Minister and Ambassador to Japan visited ADRA congratulating them for their successful CLP program. Through ADRA Japan’s ongoing-humanitarian ministries, it has been given high credits and trusted by the Nepalese government as well as the Japanese government and public.