Revolution in the Mountains - Nepal Yagi Association and the Eyes of Fumiko Kobayashi, 1995

Revolution in the Mountains - Nepal Yagi Association and the Eyes of Fumiko Kobayashi, 1995

In the 1990s, as the post-Cold War international order was being reorganized, NGO activities by citizens were quietly spreading in Japan. In the midst of this trend, there was an organization that was particularly simple and strong-willed: the Nepal Yagi Association. Fumiko Kobayashi, the chairperson of the group, was sincere in her belief that "support is provided through products and mechanisms," while dealing sincerely with local poverty.

Giving free cash to poor families does not necessarily mean that the money will be used as intended. That is why Kobayashi devised a system of lending goats, a "living resource," without interest and without collateral. Goats give birth, provide milk, nutrition, and income. The idea of giving goats the opportunity to become self-reliant rather than providing assistance was revolutionary at the time.

In a mountain village in Nepal, a single goat supported the livelihood of the people and connected the hearts of Japanese aid workers and local people. Although small in material scale, it was a definite "revolution" that fostered trust between people. The seeds of sustainable aid, rather than mass aid, had indeed taken root there.