Support Starting from Children's Choice: Chosen – First Chosen Party Held in Uganda – Expanding 'Connections' to Families and Student Groups

World Vision Japan (WVJ), an international NGO supporting children around the world (Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo; Director General Migiwa Nakajima), is launching 'Chosen,' a new form of child sponsorship in Uganda where children themselves choose their supporters. (Recruitment period until the end of August.)

In late May, the first-ever 'Chosen Party' was held in Uganda, where children selected their sponsors from photographs. Unlike the traditional model where supporters choose the child, Chosen reverses the process—support begins with the child's choice. This initiative, which values children's dignity and agency, is creating new connections between children around the world and supporters in Japan, and this circle is now expanding to include families and student groups.

Joining Chosen

A Special Day: The 'Chosen Party' Where Children Choose Their Sponsors

The first Chosen Party was held in Budinda, a region with a population of 35,000. Most residents work in agriculture, and all live below the international poverty line of USD 2.15 per day (as of 2025 survey). Many children are forced to work to support their families and cannot attend school.

For these children, the Chosen Party was a truly special day.

Children from Budinda, Uganda, where the Chosen Party was held

Many children had been eagerly awaiting this day. Singing and dancing, the venue was filled with a warm, festival-like atmosphere. Adults arrived early in the morning to set up tents and prepare activities, and the entire community worked together to ensure that children—often deprived of choices in daily life—could take an important step toward their future by making their own choice.

Schoolyard where the Chosen Party was held – Morning setup

A total of 250 children participated in the Chosen Party. Seven-year-old Bonita had just finished her usual chores—fetching water and helping her family—and came running to the event, excitedly wondering, "Who will support me?"

To the sound of cheerful music, children danced toward the many photos displayed, selecting the person they wished to become their sponsor.

Children had various reasons for their choices. One boy said, "Because the hat they're wearing is cute," while a girl shared, "Because looking at the photo made me feel happy." A seven-year-old girl who chose a photo of a woman in her 40s shyly explained, "Because I want to become like this person."

With the selection of a single photo, new bonds were formed on that day between children in Uganda and sponsors in distant Japan.

Children proudly holding photos of their chosen Japanese child sponsors

[Video] Bonita from Uganda – The Special Day She Waited For

"I want my children to know there are many different children in the world" – Passing down Chosen's 'Connection' from Mother to Children

Nojima, who participated in Chosen in the Philippines in June 2025, wanted her four children to feel more connected to children around the world living in the same era. Her own interest in international cooperation began with her parents, who supported children in developing countries when she was young. She remembers receiving letters and photos from overseas addressed to "my family."

Nojima is raising four children, the eldest in seventh grade. She was troubled when her children ordered large amounts of food at a family restaurant and left much of it uneaten.

"There are children in Japan and abroad who don't have enough to eat. But it's hard for kids to feel that connection. I thought that by starting overseas support, they might begin to sense that there are many different children in the world."

She resonated with the idea that children in developing countries themselves choose their supporters, and that this experience could build children's confidence and shape their futures, which led her to join.

However, her then-second-grade daughter responded with an unexpected question:

"Why are we giving money to a child we don't know when we're right here?"

Nojima replied, "We live without hardship, but there are children who can't. I want to help them a little." She joined Chosen with a family photo. The photo was chosen by James, then 10 years old, who said he felt Nojima's family "values family."

"I'm a bit clumsy, and with four kids, things don't always go smoothly. But to be seen as someone who values family made me feel a little more confident."

Nojima's family photo and James, who chose her

Seeing Nojima writing letters to James sparked the children's interest in English. Her daughter, who had always dreamed of becoming a doctor, now says she wants to be a doctor who helps people in need overseas.

"I hope my children become people who notice that others are struggling, even if unseen, and think about what they can do. And I hope they find joy not in receiving something in return, but in being able to help others," Nojima said.

"Because I wasn't alone" – 12 Young People Taking on 'Chosen Together'

Haru (second from left) and her group, who began supporting a girl in Bangladesh with 12 people

Haru, a university student, has been a child sponsor for a child in Rwanda since high school. However, wanting more people her age to get involved—since most sponsors are adults—she reached out to friends and organized a group of 12 to support one child together. They split the monthly 4,500 yen donation among themselves and take turns writing letters, creating a sustainable system through group discussion.

Their application photo was a collage of all 12 members' smiling faces. At the Chosen Party in Bangladesh in September 2025, Jannat, who chose their photo, said, "Because everyone's smile was beautiful."

The group photo taken with each member holding something they love, and Jannat who chose it

While exchanges are just beginning, participants have shared their thoughts:

"This was my first donation. I couldn't take the step alone, but now a new circle has formed, and I'm really happy."

"Sharing the joy of connecting with a child together, and making participation easier through group sharing of costs—these are the strengths of group involvement."

"It's strange and wonderful to form connections with people I'd never normally meet."