Arigatou Foundation
For the precious light in every child’s eyes

Established by Myochikai on October 12,1990, the Arigatou Foundation is dedicated to defending the rights of children and facilitating their sound physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and spiritual development. It has programs in four areas:

・ Assistance- Continuous support for the survival and development of children, and emergency aid for victims of natural disasters or armed conflicts, etc.
・ Enlightenment- Research on the world’s children, and raising public awareness of their situation
・ Art & Culture and Public Information- Cultivation of love, compassion and appreciation for children through cultural events and the arts
・ Interreligious Cooperation- International initiatives for children in cooperation with religious people of various faiths.

The Arigatou Foundation contributes to the well being of countless children the world over, often working with United Nations agencies or other NGOs. In 1991, the Foundation made a significant donation to the UNICEF Gulf Crisis Aid Fund, and provided assistance for educational reconstruction in Iraq in 2003 through UNICEF. It provided continuous assistance from 1998 to 2001 to UNICEF projects in Bhutan, Mozambique, Peru, and the West Bank and Gaza, and conducted a similar program from 2001 to 2003 in Afghanistan, East Timor, Mauritania and China.

Active in education, it built the Salyansthan Primary School in Nepal, which will soon be self-sufficient. These are but a few examples of its assistance activities.

In February 2003, the Foundation established an office in Geneva, Switzerland.

In February 2004, in recognition of the global impact of its work for children, the Arigatou Foundation was granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Arigatou Foundation programs are entirely supported by the voluntary contributions of Myochikai members, who offer donations as a means of putting into practice their prayers for world peace. These offerings are a fundamental part of their Buddhist practice. The Japanese word “Arigatou” means “thank you.” The very name of the Foundation expresses the gratitude which members feel for the opportunity to help children around the world.

【about us】【profile】