Junko, the treasurer of WSO, joined Japan’s International Angel Association study tour from 4-11 September 2026 to visit their orphanage, Angel Home, Yuriko Angel School, and Health Care Centre in Gazipur, Bangladesh.
Five current WSO scholarship students and eight graduates, whom we call “Angels” because they were raised at Angel Home and educated at Yuriko Angel School, came home to greet her. Jihad, a civil technology student, travelled 8 hours to meet her. Junko was impressed by the students’ excellent academic performance, high motivation, and strong commitment to helping less fortunate people after graduating as dentists, physiotherapists, pathologists, civil engineers, or IT specialists. She was also proud to see all the graduates making significant contributions to their communities as much-needed healthcare professionals or engineers.
Mr Bari, the executive director of the International Angel Association, Bangladesh and a firm believer in the power of education, has devoted himself to the welfare and education of the children under his charge since its inception in 1986. He showed Junko our Angels’ files, in which every expense receipt was meticulously recorded, to assure her that every dollar we send will reach our Angels!
The Study group, led by Mrs Mariko Higashimura, the president of the Association, received a very warm welcome at Angel Home. At the welcome party, the children performed traditional Bangladeshi dances and sang beautiful Japanese songs. Junko fell in love with the beautiful little angels.
The study group also visited Yuriko Angel School, named after the Association’s founder, where every kid has the opportunity to finish HSC, giving them a head start in life. Mr Bari handpicks the brightest ones for our scholarships. We don’t support the kids at Angel Home directly, but our Angels give them hope and motivation to work hard as their role models. The school is open to the community and highly regarded as an excellent private school with a much higher academic standard than local public schools.
Junko had such a great time at Angel Home that she is already planning her next visit!
Junko will make a slide presentation on her visit at the Charity Singalong on Nov. 7, 2026. Please join us to listen to her amazing story in more detail!
