Thank you always for your prayers and generous support.
Until now, the Cornerstone Orphanage Zambia has continued its work through regular monthly support of ¥350,000 from Japan, along with additional donations given on an irregular basis.
However, due to the rapid depreciation of the Japanese yen and the sharp rise in prices within Zambia, the approach of “covering shortfalls with ad-hoc donations” is reaching its limits.
In addition, over the past several months, **the U.S. dollar has weakened against the Zambian kwacha**, and within the remittance flow of Japanese yen → U.S. dollars → kwacha, currency losses are now occurring twice over.
As a result, even when we send the same amount of money, the amount of kwacha available for use locally has decreased significantly compared to before.
At present, the actual monthly operating cost required to sustain the orphanage is approximately ¥630,000.
The main expenses include: – Salaries for teachers and staff – Meal costs for 140–150 children – Rent, utilities, communication expenses, transportation, and consumable supplies
All of these are the minimum essential expenses that cannot be reduced if we are to protect the children’s lives, education, and safety.
On the other hand, regular support from Japan remains at ¥350,000 per month. With the impact of the weak yen compounded by the weak dollar (against the kwacha), there is a persistent shortfall of approximately ¥280,000 every month.
Until now, we have managed to make up this gap through irregular donations, but this approach is making it increasingly difficult to maintain stable employment and to continue providing daily meals.
Therefore, in order to move the orphanage’s operation from a “stopgap” approach to a “stable foundation,” we are hoping to expand the circle of monthly, ongoing support.
Small, consistent contributions—such as ¥1,000 or ¥3,000 per month—add up to provide the children with meals, education, and a secure, peaceful daily life.
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[Goal for Regular Support]
The current shortfall of approximately ¥280,000 per month can be covered through the following combinations of regular support:
– ¥1,000 per month × 280 people
– ¥3,000 per month × about 95 people
– ¥5,000 per month × 56 people
– ¥10,000 per month × 28 people
As each person’s support comes together, the orphanage will be able to continue operating steadily each month, without being affected by exchange rate fluctuations or irregular donations. We sincerely ask for your prayers. If you feel led to share in this burden, we would be grateful for your support through the methods below.
▶︎ Click here to support
Those who are able to support us may donate through Congrant or transfer funds to the account listed below. (*When making a transfer, please notify the Cornerstone Orphanage Office that it is “for increased Zambia operating expenses” by contacting ishizue@athena.ocn.ne.jp.)
▼ Congrant donation page
https://congrant.com/project/npo-cornerstone/15140
(English version)
https://congrant.com/project/npo-cornerstone/18656
▼ Bank Account (Transfer fees are the responsibility of the donor.)
– Mizuho Bank, Gotanda Branch (Ordinary Account)
Account No. 2069305
– Account Name: Specified Nonprofit Organization Cornerstone Orphanage
▼ Postal Transfer (Please indicate “for increased Zambia operating expenses.”)
– Account No.: 00130-5-24249
– Account Name: Specified Nonprofit Organization Cornerstone Orphanage