International Cooperation and Humanitarian Support
The Happy Science group also takes part in various social contribution activities. We cooperate with charities in donating clothes and goods to poor countries, and offer assistance in reconstructing disaster stricken areas such as Thailand, after their flood damage. We also offer humanitarian support to disputed areas. Our member volunteers take part in supporting these activities.
Nepal
We have built two schools, and provide scholarships for poor children through using part of our profit from the movie, The Rebirth of Buddha (released in Autumn 2009).
We also showed The Rebirth of Buddha in Katmandu as educational support for the Lumbini Buddha University. Stationeries and sporting goods are donated on a regular basis to the elementary schools in Pokhara. We have also supported “the largest painting in the world” project of an NGO.
India
We have donated blankets to Mother Teresa's facilities, made food offerings to an orphanage, and donated used clothes which were offered by Happy Science volunteers, to the slums in the suburbs of Delhi. Donations of stationery sets and medical charities were made in Aurangabad.
Uganda
We contribute mosquito nets to schools and hospitals in Uganda as assistance to their countermeasures for malaria. We also distribute beans and corn seeds to a rural district. Furthermore, when the sediment disaster occurred in March 2010 in eastern Uganda, members of the Happy Science Uganda temple hastily visited the stricken area, and donated 1,000 blankets to the Red Cross refugee camp.
Australia
In northeastern Australia, severe mudslides and serious flood damage had a wide spread effect due to the torrential rain that occurred over a long period of time. The disaster hit over 3 million people. On February 4th, 2011,Happy Science visited the Australian Embassy in Japan to offer our endowment. This financial support was used in reconstructing the sites, through the local Queensland state government.
China
In May 2008, upon receiving a request from the Chinese Embassy in Japan, we provided the most recent type of tent sets to the victims of the Sichuan Big Earthquake disaster, through the Red Cross Society of China. Happy Science Hong Kong corporate still delivers support money through a local Red Cross Society. Moreover, in December 2008, IRH Press contributed books to the children of elementary schools in Gansu province, an area nearby to the stricken area. The presentation ceremony was held in cooperation with the local Red Cross Society.
Gaza Strip
Soon after the dispute in March 2009, we settled with the plan to give aid to the children at Gaza Strip, an administrative district of the Self-Governing Palestinian Authority, through the Japan Committee for UNICEF and “Save the Children,” an international NGO.
The presentation ceremony was held at “Save the Children,” and we presented our support money to be utilized for goods and mental health activities for children suffering from damage, etc.
Sri Lanka
In 2004, Galle, southwest of Sri Lanka, was damaged by a tsunami caused by the Great Sumatra Earthquake. Happy Science helped reconstruct a school in the city. The opening ceremony of was held in 2008, and was attended by the Vice-Minister of Education, the provincial governor, and priests of high virtue in the province.
Turkey
Serious earthquakes occurred in succession around Vann, eastern Turkey. On November 22nd, 2011, we visited the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Japan and handed our support money to Tonchu Angle, charge d'affaires.
Thailand
As a disaster support from the deluge, we visited the Thailand royal family foundation, “Ratchapracha Foundation,” in November 2011, and presented to them our endowment. This money was used for urgent daily commodities at 42 prefectures in Thailand, where there was severe damage.
Brazil
When heavy rain, flood and landslide that was said to be the “worst disaster within the past 40 years,” occurred in January 2011, Happy Science offered financial support through “Japan Platform,” a non-profit organization.
Chile
After a large-scale earthquake and tsunami struck in February 2010, we offered financial support through the Chile Embassy in Japan in March 2010.
Malaysia
Charity activity such as goods offering, visiting elderly homes, etc. is conducted in a Buddhist welfare facility at Kuala Lumpur.
New Zealand
After an earthquake hit New Zealand on February 22nd, 2011, we offered our money of support to the stricken areas.
Indonesia
As part of our support the areas struck by the Great Sumatra Earthquake, we contributed our money of support through “Save the Children,” an international NGO.
The United States
In September 2009, an endowment was presented to the American Red Cross from every temple of the Happy Science group in the United States, as forest fire reconstruction assistance in the suburbs of Los Angeles. In Hawaii, Happy Science is supporting the infrastructure progress of the female relief organization, “WIN (Woman In Need).”
Myanmar
In May 2008, Happy Science North America contributed money of support to the victims of the cyclone disaster through the American Red Cross. Donations given by the Malaysia member volunteers were presented to the Red Crescent Society through the Buddhist temple in Kuala Lumpur.
Mexico
In 2009, the damage of the swine flu spread centering in Mexico, and the news spread throughout the world. To prevent expansion of damage members of the local temple distributed masks at Mexico City.
Haiti
The Haiti earthquake occurred in January 2010. Happy Science contributed our financial support to the stricken areas through the Japan Committee for UNICEF. Additionally, we sent endowments sent from each of the Happy Science temples in the United States and Canada, to the local Red Cross.
Various Social Contribution in Japan and Around the World
Never Mind School for Truancy
At our free school “Never Mind”, we support students who have trouble going to schools. We respect each student’s personality, philosophy and independence as we support them in making friends, building physical strength, academic studies, and their education based on faith. We help the students go back to school and proceed onto their next step in life. We cooperate and collaborate with their schools as well to provide the better support.
“You Are An Angel!” Movement
Happy Science has a volunteer network that encourages and supports children with special needs, along with their parents and guardians. Experienced volunteers and student volunteers help the disabled children nurture faith. The medical and special education professionals provide study groups for the parents and the guardians.
Prevention Against Suicide Campaign
Suicide is becoming a growing problem throughout the world. In an effort to remove all unhappiness caused by suicide, Happy Science organized a “Prevention Against Suicide” campaign in 2003, calling out in public to refrain from suicide. We give out leaflets explaining the spiritual truth about suicide.
The Golden Age Scholarship
We grant scholarship for students who can contribute greatly and bring a hopeful future to the world. Many students in Japan and abroad are studying very hard toward their dreams through this scholarship.
The Helen Society
We support people who have visual and hearing impairment to study the Truth. By learning the Truth, they are able to study about this world and the other world, nurture themselves better, overcome their obstacles, and be able to live a bright life. A number of them aspire to become like Helen Keller, who was able to overcome her triple handicap and gave hope to many people.
Network to Protect Children from Bullying
Happy Science supports the Foundation, “Network to Protect Children from Bullying” in order to save children suffering from bullying. This foundation has been established by parents and guardians of the victims of bullying, and holds symposiums as well as holding consultations for the bullied children and their families.
The Great East Japan Earthquake Relief Aid
We have donated kerosene oil, blankets, water and food to the earthquake victims in Miyagi prefecture, Iwate prefecture and Fukushima prefecture. Many of the supplies were delivered to the Happy Science temples nearby, and handed the materials to the neighboring areas. Happiness Realization Party also raised donation for the relief.
The Rescue Operations in the Great Hanshin Earthquake
We have built 35 relief centers and have delivered support supplies amounting to about 1,000 trucks in total load. They were donated from the Happy Science members all over the country. Furthermore, a total number of more than 20,000 members participated as volunteer, who engage in distributing goods, organizing a soup kitchen, and installing baths and toilets, medical treatment and etc.
UNESCO Support
We support the activities of UNESCO, donating postcards and used stamps that will lead to help the education of unprivileged children around the world.
JICA Support
We participate in JICA’s “Smile for the World” program. Through this program, we donate material goods for children in third world countries.
