24Jun2025

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HumanitarianWork Tag
Home Posts Tagged "HumanitarianWork"

Tag: HumanitarianWork

191
INDIVIDUAL SPOTLIGHT
September 1, 2024

Compassionate Dr. Kazuko Kumon

Spotlight Story: Dr. Kazuko Kumo – A Compassionate Force for Change

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Dr. Kazuko Kumo’s life work serves as a profound testament to the power of compassion, determination, and advocacy for the most vulnerable among us—children living with disabilities. Her calling began in 2001 when she visited a war-torn region of West Africa and witnessed firsthand the devastating toll conflict had taken on children’s lives. Deeply moved by the suffering she saw, she redirected her life’s mission and moved to Kenya, where she noticed another glaring crisis: the neglect of children with mental and physical disabilities. In a society where social awareness about disability care was severely lacking, families were left to struggle without resources, expertise, or support.

In response, Dr. Kumo founded The Garden of Siloam, a sanctuary located near Nairobi where children with conditions such as cerebral palsy and autism receive quality education, personalized health care, and therapeutic rehabilitation. The classes, though initially staffed by few professionals, became a training ground for specialists under Kumo’s guidance, as she began equipping caregivers from scratch. With a philosophy grounded in respect, not pity, she champions the belief that “everyone is born with the power of living,” and that with proper care and early intervention, these children can live full and meaningful lives. Her work is more than care—it is transformation. Her efforts resonate deeply with the mission and values of the Mary K. Yap Foundation, which firmly believes that every child—regardless of ability, background, or circumstance—deserves the opportunity to flourish.

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One of the Foundation’s earliest outreach efforts began in 2002 at the Phayar Phyu Disabled Children’s Home in Taunggyi City, Shan State, Myanmar, a shelter dedicated to orphaned children whose disabilities had left them abandoned. A decade later, in 2012, we proudly contributed to the Eleventh Annual Charity in support of Mary Chapman’s School for the Deaf, further strengthening our commitment to children with hearing impairments. In 2023, we established a meaningful partnership with the CODISA Foundation in Nigeria, an organization devoted to caring for orphaned children with disabilities. Just as Dr. Kumo’s work brings hope and healing in Kenya, our Foundation continues to expand quality programs that provide education, nutrition, and social rehabilitation for orphaned and disabled children across regions.

Stories like Dr. Kumo’s are powerful reminders that meaningful change often begins with the courage and compassion of one individual. Her journey exemplifies what it means to stand in the gap for the forgotten and to build a world where children with disabilities are not seen as burdens, but as individuals full of promise and potential. The Mary K. Yap Foundation is honored to highlight Dr. Kumo in our Individual Spotlight series, recognizing those who bring hope where it is needed most. Through such stories, we aim to inspire others to take action, shine light in dark corners, and believe in the transformative power of care, inclusion, and dignity for every child.

Source:

https://www.japan.go.jp/tomodachi/2019/spring2019/empowering_children.html

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/12/29/national/christian-doctor-wakayama-offers-hope-disabled-kids-kenya/

By admin
141
INDIVIDUAL SPOTLIGHT
June 24, 2023

Save the Children: Camilla Cabello

An electrifying Cuban singer is bringing positive change.”

Born in Cojímar, Cuba, Camila Cabello immigrated to the United States with her mother at a young age, bringing with her the dreams and determination that would one day shape her into an international pop sensation. Rising to fame as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony and later launching a successful solo career, Cabello quickly became known not only for her powerful vocals and chart-topping hits, but also for her commitment to using her platform for meaningful change. Her journey from a young immigrant with limited resources to a global music icon is a story of courage, ambition, and heart.

Throughout her career, Camila has made it a point to stay grounded in her roots and advocate for those whose voices often go unheard. She has been a vocal supporter of immigrant rights and has spoken publicly about her own family’s struggles in pursuit of a better life. In 2018, she partnered with Save the Children, an organization focused on improving the lives of children across the globe, to help raise awareness and resources for children facing poverty, violence, and displacement. That same year, she also launched the “Healing Justice Project,” which provides mental health resources for youth activists. Her actions show a strong alignment between her personal values and her philanthropic commitments. Camila’s dedication to youth empowerment resonates strongly with the mission of the Mary K. Yap Foundation. Like our work with orphaned and disadvantaged children, Camila’s efforts highlight the importance of nurturing emotional well-being, creating access to education, and empowering young people to believe in their worth.

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Whether she’s supporting humanitarian causes or amplifying messages of self-love and resilience through her music, Camila exemplifies what it means to give back with purpose and compassion.

The Mary K. Yap Foundation is proud to feature Camila Cabello in our Individual Spotlight series, celebrating her unwavering commitment to uplifting vulnerable communities. Her voice—both as an artist and as an advocate—continues to inspire a generation to act with empathy and conviction. As we work to transform the lives of orphaned children through care, opportunity, and empowerment, we find in Camila’s journey a kindred spirit who reminds us all that change begins when we choose to care deeply and act boldly.

By admin
111
INDIVIDUAL SPOTLIGHT
June 10, 2023

Ambassador for All: Angelina Jolie

“A mother of six doing it all for the Orphan Bill.

      – Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie, a famous American actress, is a mother of six children in which, three of whom she adopted internationally, and the other three was biological. Jolie had first witnessed the effects of a humanitarian crisis while filming Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) in war-torn Cambodia. Having seen it, Jolie contacted the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for information on international trouble spots. She began visiting refugee camps worldwide to learn more about the conditions in these areas.

Angelina Jolie was deeply moved by the children and the countless lives she encountered during her travels around the world, witnessing firsthand the hardships they faced—an experience that profoundly shaped her perspective and ultimately led her to consider adoption as a way to provide love, stability, and a future for those in need.

Angelina Jolie says, “Each is a beautiful way of becoming family. It is important to speak openly about all of it and share. ‘Adoption’ and ‘orphanage’ are positive words in our home. I can’t speak of pregnancy with my adopted children, but I speak with much detail and love about the journey to find them and what it was like to look in their eyes for the first time.”

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Angelina Jolie is truly the definition of an advocate, for she is taking strides to help children in need in developing countries. In 2007, Angelina Jolie launched the Global Action for Children (GAC) Program to help orphaned children in third-world countries receive support, including a free primary school education. Jolie spends considerable time assisting orphans in third-world countries, for many of her children are adopted from poor nations. 

Jolie and her former husband, Brad Pitt, also worked towards passing the Orphan’s Bill in Congress for orphaned children in poverty-stricken nations to gain access to a proper education. They believe these countries will improve if the future generation is properly educated, helping to end the continuous cycle of poverty. Angelina Jolie wishes to see millions of orphaned children receive proper care and support through the Orphan’s Bill. Through this, hopes that the poverty-stricken nations surrounding them will also improve.

The Mary K. Yap Foundation would like to acknowledge Angelina Jolie in our Individual Spotlight series as an incredible ambassador and inspiration to all children, especially those most vulnerable and affected.

By admin
121
INDIVIDUAL SPOTLIGHT
November 24, 2019

The Lady: Aung San Suu Kyi

To be kind is to respond with sensitivity and human warmth to the hopes and needs of others. Even the briefest touch of kindness can lighten a heavy heart. Kindness can change the lives of people.”

– Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi, the most visible and polarizing political figure in Myanmar’s modern history, has contributed much to the country. She is an advocate of freedom and democracy. She was awarded the 1990 Rafto Prize and the Sakharov Prize in 1990, awarded to individuals that have distinguished themselves in their work for human rights and democracy. She has also won a $1.3 million Nobel prize for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights that she used and donated to establish a health and education trust for the Burmese people, wherein she founded Daw Khin Kyi Foundation.

“By helping others, you will learn how to help yourself.”

– Aung San Suu Kyi

The Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, named after the memory of her mother, Daw Khin Kyi, is a non-profit charitable organization that promotes the country’s people’s health, education, and living standards, focusing its attention, especially on the needs of Burma’s least developed areas. The foundation has developed different programs to achieve the needs of the citizens in Myanmar, which are mostly concerned about health, specifically Mobile Library for education, Hospitality and Catering Training Academy, La Yaung Taw (a Horticulture Training Academy), which provides Humanitarian assistance, and others.

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The foundation’s mission is to achieve these goals irrespective of ethnicity, race, political division, or religion, believing that improvement in one place creates a better future for all. Aung San Suu Kyi has the purest heart and gives all their love to her citizens, as she stated that she is willing to donate her body organs to whoever may need them, even if this can cause harm and death. She also presented her house as an exhibition for the young generation to observe how Burmese Traditions and Burmese woman’s culture and outfits. Given her love for the country, Aung San Suu Kyi is considered the heart of Myanmar.

Mary K. Yap Foundation recognizes Aung San Suu Kyi’s undivided attention dedicated to the people of Myanmar and to providing humanitarian attention to the country she bravely extends to the fullest.

By admin