30 Years Since Establishment: A World Where Children Receive Proper Medical Care, Regardless of Birthplace. Delivering Quality, Compassionate Medical Care to Children in Asia.
Certified NPO Friends Without A Border JAPAN (Friends) endorses April Dream, an initiative to speak dreams on April 1st. This press release is Friends' dream.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 20:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 6, 2026 at 15:00 (118h 12m after Collected)
April Dream is an initiative to "speak dreams, not lies, on April 1st, and create a future full of dreams." We endorse this activity.
Friends Without A Border JAPAN (Friends) conducts various approaches to deliver pediatric medical care to children in Asia who have difficulty receiving appropriate medical care.
**"Art Can Make a Difference"**
In June 1996, Friends Without A Border was established by Kenro Izu, a Japanese photographer who visited Siem Reap, Cambodia, for a photoshoot.
The catalyst was an encounter with a girl who lost her life before his eyes because her father couldn't pay just two dollars for hospital admission, and the father who stood helpless.
Izu, who had no connection to medicine, thought, "I've only been 'taking' (photographing, receiving) at the Angkor ruins; shouldn't I also 'give' (return, provide)?" and decided to establish a non-profit pediatric hospital. This year marks the 30th anniversary since the organization's founding. https://fwab.jp/about/steps/
**"Treat Every Patient as if our own child"**
In 1999, Friends' first project began.
Supported by global donors and stakeholders who resonated with photographer Izu's "dream," Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) was established and opened in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Both as an organization and a hospital, it was a start full of unknowns. Sharing the principle of "treating every child as if they were our own," we persevered through various difficulties and hardships, embracing the joy of being able to do more. The years spent struggling and overcoming challenges together with Cambodian staff are the origin of the organization and an irreplaceable time. In 2013, we achieved the long-desired localization, and now the hospital is operated primarily by local staff as "a hospital for Cambodians, by Cambodians, for Cambodians."
Friends' second project began in 2013.
In 2015, Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) was established and opened in Luang Prabang, Laos. Similar to AHC, its activities are centered on "medical care, education, and prevention," providing 24-hour emergency care for children from newborns to 15 years old. In addition to general outpatient services, five specialized outpatient clinics have been established for children requiring specialized care, creating an environment where appropriate care can be provided. LFHC is now in its 11th year since opening, and the annual number of patients has exceeded 40,000. The day when the hospital can be operated by Laotians themselves should not be far off.
**"Focusing on 'caring for people'"**
In both Cambodia and Laos, we go beyond merely diagnosing and "curing" diseases, actively engaging in outreach activities that transcend hospital boundaries. We provide comprehensive care that includes patients' family environments and cultural backgrounds, emphasizing "caring for people." The hospital Friends envisions is not just a hospital. We aspire to deliver medical care even to children in local regions where access to medical care is difficult in various ways.
**"We believe every child has the right to a healthy and happy life"**
Kenro Izu, a photographer with no medical background, pursued the path of pediatric medical care in Southeast Asia driven solely by passion. Over these 30 years, his enthusiasm has spread to many people, forming a large global network that has led to the realization of a dream that could never have been achieved by an individual alone. Now, it is not just Izu's dream, but the dream of tens of thousands of supporters worldwide.
Friends believes that "every child has the right to a healthy and happy life." We aim for a world where all children who need medical care can receive appropriate care, regardless of where or in what environment they are born. We want to be there for every small life, regardless of their financial situation. With this dream and hope in our hearts, we will continue to move forward, joining hands with even more people!
**"Towards the 30th Anniversary"**
We are planning various events to celebrate our 30th anniversary. Details will be announced on our official website and other channels as soon as they are decided, so if you are even slightly interested, please join us. We truly want you to be swept up in Friends' grand dream. If you're interested but a bit hesitant to go alone, invite someone! That way, the circle will surely grow, little by little.
■ Organization Overview: Certified NPO Friends Without A Border JAPAN
This is a certified NPO that provides pediatric medical support to children in Asia, primarily in Laos and Cambodia. With "medical care, education, and prevention" as its pillars of activity, the organization aims to "localize" (transfer to local hands) projects so that medical care can be provided by local staff in the future.
[Established] June 1, 1996
[Location] Yamada Building 6F, 1-14-11 Higashi-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0031
[Official Website] https://fwab.jp/
[Official SNS] Facebook, X, Instagram
Friends Without A Border JAPAN (Friends) conducts various approaches to deliver pediatric medical care to children in Asia who have difficulty receiving appropriate medical care.
**"Art Can Make a Difference"**
In June 1996, Friends Without A Border was established by Kenro Izu, a Japanese photographer who visited Siem Reap, Cambodia, for a photoshoot.
The catalyst was an encounter with a girl who lost her life before his eyes because her father couldn't pay just two dollars for hospital admission, and the father who stood helpless.
Izu, who had no connection to medicine, thought, "I've only been 'taking' (photographing, receiving) at the Angkor ruins; shouldn't I also 'give' (return, provide)?" and decided to establish a non-profit pediatric hospital. This year marks the 30th anniversary since the organization's founding. https://fwab.jp/about/steps/
**"Treat Every Patient as if our own child"**
In 1999, Friends' first project began.
Supported by global donors and stakeholders who resonated with photographer Izu's "dream," Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) was established and opened in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Both as an organization and a hospital, it was a start full of unknowns. Sharing the principle of "treating every child as if they were our own," we persevered through various difficulties and hardships, embracing the joy of being able to do more. The years spent struggling and overcoming challenges together with Cambodian staff are the origin of the organization and an irreplaceable time. In 2013, we achieved the long-desired localization, and now the hospital is operated primarily by local staff as "a hospital for Cambodians, by Cambodians, for Cambodians."
Friends' second project began in 2013.
In 2015, Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) was established and opened in Luang Prabang, Laos. Similar to AHC, its activities are centered on "medical care, education, and prevention," providing 24-hour emergency care for children from newborns to 15 years old. In addition to general outpatient services, five specialized outpatient clinics have been established for children requiring specialized care, creating an environment where appropriate care can be provided. LFHC is now in its 11th year since opening, and the annual number of patients has exceeded 40,000. The day when the hospital can be operated by Laotians themselves should not be far off.
**"Focusing on 'caring for people'"**
In both Cambodia and Laos, we go beyond merely diagnosing and "curing" diseases, actively engaging in outreach activities that transcend hospital boundaries. We provide comprehensive care that includes patients' family environments and cultural backgrounds, emphasizing "caring for people." The hospital Friends envisions is not just a hospital. We aspire to deliver medical care even to children in local regions where access to medical care is difficult in various ways.
**"We believe every child has the right to a healthy and happy life"**
Kenro Izu, a photographer with no medical background, pursued the path of pediatric medical care in Southeast Asia driven solely by passion. Over these 30 years, his enthusiasm has spread to many people, forming a large global network that has led to the realization of a dream that could never have been achieved by an individual alone. Now, it is not just Izu's dream, but the dream of tens of thousands of supporters worldwide.
Friends believes that "every child has the right to a healthy and happy life." We aim for a world where all children who need medical care can receive appropriate care, regardless of where or in what environment they are born. We want to be there for every small life, regardless of their financial situation. With this dream and hope in our hearts, we will continue to move forward, joining hands with even more people!
**"Towards the 30th Anniversary"**
We are planning various events to celebrate our 30th anniversary. Details will be announced on our official website and other channels as soon as they are decided, so if you are even slightly interested, please join us. We truly want you to be swept up in Friends' grand dream. If you're interested but a bit hesitant to go alone, invite someone! That way, the circle will surely grow, little by little.
■ Organization Overview: Certified NPO Friends Without A Border JAPAN
This is a certified NPO that provides pediatric medical support to children in Asia, primarily in Laos and Cambodia. With "medical care, education, and prevention" as its pillars of activity, the organization aims to "localize" (transfer to local hands) projects so that medical care can be provided by local staff in the future.
[Established] June 1, 1996
[Location] Yamada Building 6F, 1-14-11 Higashi-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0031
[Official Website] https://fwab.jp/
[Official SNS] Facebook, X, Instagram
FAQ
What kind of organization is Friends Without A Border JAPAN?
It is a certified NPO that provides pediatric medical support to children in Asia, primarily in Laos and Cambodia. Its activities are based on "medical care, education, and prevention," aiming for localization.
What kind of hospitals are Angkor Hospital for Children and Lao Friends Hospital for Children?
Angkor Hospital for Children is in Cambodia, and Lao Friends Hospital for Children is in Laos. Both are specialized pediatric hospitals. They focus on "medical care, education, and prevention" to provide comprehensive care to local children.
When will the 30th-anniversary events be held?
Details will be announced on the official website and social media as soon as they are decided. If you are interested, please check the official information.