IOM, Kiheitai hand in hand to support Young Entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone

Tokyo, 24th March 2021- The International Organization for Migration has partnered with Kiheitai to support young entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone.

The two organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to start an initiative to raise funds through Airfunding a global crowdfunding platform that will support the start-ups of Sierra Leonean youths that are undergoing the IOM’s business training and mentorship program. Airfunding was launched in 2018 by Kiheitai as a cross-border donation-based crowdfunding service that provides support across borders and cultures to individuals and organizations in emerging countries where it is difficult to lead a minimum standard of living. To date, approximately $200 million in support has been generated on Airfunding through more than 200,000 projects in over 200 countries.

This partnership is within the framework of the IOM project titled: “Reducing the Risk of Irregular Migration through Employment Promotion and Entrepreneurship for the Youths” funded by the Government of Japan.

The aim of the partnership is to increase job creation through business and entrepreneurship in a bid to dissuade Young Sierra Leoneans from embarking on irregular migration. Every year, thousands of young Sierra Leoneans go on desperate journeys to Europe and the Middle East through illegal means. During their travels, they are subjected to forced labor or sexual exploitation. IOM Sierra Leone is addressing this problem through awareness-raising and youth empowerment schemes including entrepreneurship.

“We are delighted to partner with Kiheitai in supporting this exciting initiative to empower young people. Through our entrepreneurship program, last year, we conducted training with ILO for 240 young entrepreneurs who are still being mentored on business management. Therefore, our partnership with Kiheitai is welcome and timely, because these young entrepreneurs, needs support now, more than ever to boost their startups or scaling up their existing businesses where they can get their livelihoods” – Akao Kunikazu, Project Manager at IOM Sierra Leone.

“We are very pleased to collaborate with IOM as part of Airfunding’s activity to support entrepreneurs from Sierra Leone and further enhance our system to support their challenges. We are very excited about the new possibilities for Sierra Leone that will emerge from the enthusiasm generated by this program.” – Ryosuke Abe, CEO of Kiheitai

Through this partnership, Young entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to receive online user training on crowdfunding procedures and techniques. They will also be guided and trained on how to develop and showcase and promote their business plans on the crowdfunding platform.

“Airfunding will provide advisors to help them gather support for their projects from all over the world and will work with them on a tripod basis. In addition, a new overseas NGO program will be launched in April as a measure to gather support not only from overseas but also from Japan. Both parties will work together to ensure that these programs will have a positive outcome for Sierra Leone.”- Lourdes Sanchez Voigt, Vice president of customer support-Airfunding.                                             

About IOM 

IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration challenges, and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees, internally displaced people, and affected communities. https://www.iom.int (IOM Global web page).

About Kiheitai

Kiheitai is a global company that uses web services to eliminate boundaries around the world and make the impossible possible. With groundbreaking services such as “Airfunding,” a donation-based crowdfunding service that enables people to change their lives for the better with a small amount of money, and “Airtripp,” a global community service used by 10 million people in 200 countries around the world, Kiheitai is expanding people’s possibilities beyond borders, culture, language, and distance. Airtripp is a global community service used by 10 million people in 200 countries. With members in 11 countries around the world, Kiheitai is committed to making the world we live in a better place. For more information about our company, please visit https://kiheitai.co.jp.

Contact

For more information, please contact Akao Kunikazu Project Manager (TVET and Entrepreneurship), at IOM Sierra Leone: Email:  kakao@iom.int or at Kiheitai, Email: elena@kiheitai.co.jp 

February 22, 2021

Press Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Japan Based Crowdfunding Platform Gave Thousands of Facemasks and Face Shields in Cebu Province to help Control COVID-19 New Outbreak

Makati, Philippines Release Date: February 22, 2021; For Immediate Release.

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The recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Metro Cebu, one of the most productive city in the Philippines in terms of economy alarmed the entire region including Manila the country’s capital. Cebu was considered in 2020 as the second epicenter of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines until they have flattened the curve and controlled the virus to minimal level for months until the surge again ballooned starting January 2021 up to present.

Airfunding, a Japan based crowdfunding platform recently distributed thousands of facemasks and face shield in selected cities and towns in Cebu to help the province control the spread of COVID-19 virus. As the province gets ready to re-open its economy and tourism, more and more people are expected to leave their homes frequently, and possible  surge in cases is strongly anticipated. Airfunding emphasizes that the use facemask and face shields in public places among others are the most effective tools that prevent the spread of the virus. 

We’re in this together and Airfunding goals since the pandemic started has been to try to help everyone who has been affected by this global pandemic by providing a platform where everyone can help everyone through donation-type crowdfunding.

Visit their website at www.airfunding.net

Contact Information

Organization: Airfunding by Kiheitai Inc.

Address: Matsura bldg. 5F 1-9-6 Shiba Minato-ku Tokyo 105-0014 Japan

Phone: +81 03-6277-8045

Website: www.airfunding.net

Email: info.airfunding@kiheitai.co.jp

January 27, 2021

Press Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AIRFUNDING Launches Airfunding Cares Medical Caravan for 2021

Makati, Philippines Release Date: January 27, 2021; For Immediate Release.

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Airfunding recently launched its Airfunding Cares Medical Caravan kicking off in Baguio City and key cities in Luzon this January 10, 2021. The caravan aims to help more people in need of financial assistance to pay for their medical needs through crowdfunding. The sad truth about the healthcare system in the Philippines has overwhelmed a lot of Filipinos especially those who are currently suffering from serious health conditions. Although the government has a universal health care system yet most of the bills, treatment and medication are not covered. Many patients end up not getting proper treatment because of the lack of financial capacity and support from the healthcare system.

 “Our company is concerned about the healthcare condition in the Philippines as 50% of projects created on our platform are medical in nature. We have supported 20,000 cases with a total of $350,000 in the Philippines since we launched Airfunding in 2018. By having this caravan, we hope to help more people in the Philippines.” -Ryosuke Abe

Airfunding Cares is an initiative project of the company as part of its core commitment to reach out to the less privileged sectors of society. The Medical Caravan intends to educate Filipinos with the use of crowdfunding to help them raise funds to pay for their medical needs. Next stop is Cebu and Bohol this February then finishing the leg in Davao City by March.

Airfunding serves as a global platform for donations for people in need of medical assistance, relief/calamity aid, or any cause that needs funding where people can share their act of kindness through small donations to their chosen causes. 

There is help beyond borders and barriers, Airfunding has over 10,000,000 supporters around the world and can be accessed in 200+ countries. Airfunding is free to use, anyone can register and start creating projects in less than 5 minutes. Airfunding hopes to attract more Filipinos to create more projects, whether for personal, for the community, or for any cause (so that the world will see and send their support).  

Visit their website at www.airfunding.net

Contact Information

Organization: Airfunding by Kiheitai Inc.

Address: Matsura bldg. 5F 1-9-6 Shiba Minato-ku Tokyo 105-0014 Japan

Phone: +81 03-6277-8045

Website: www.airfunding.net

Email: info.airfunding@kiheitai.co.jp

December 28 , 2020

Press Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AIRFUNDING Makes Christmas Memorable for Sick Children in Central Luzon through  Christmas Gift-giving Project.

Makati, Philippines Release Date: December 28 , 2020; For Immediate Release.

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Gift-giving is a tradition that will never cease to be the center of Christmas celebrations in the Philippines. Airfunding has chosen several hospitals in Central Luzon as their beneficiaries this year. The beneficiaries are indigent patients confined in several state hospitals and cancer-stricken children.

100 children, mostly with serious health conditions and disabilities particularly from Zambales public hospitals were treated to a day full of love and appreciation in the recent Airfunding Cares Christmas Gift Giving activity.  

Airfunding Cares is an initiative project of the company as part of its core commitment to reach out to the less privileged sectors of society. The successful event inspired the management of Kiheitai Inc., the parent company of Airfunding to make the event a yearly tradition.

Airfunding serves as a global platform for donations for people in need of medical assistance, relief/calamity aid, or any cause that needs funding where people can share their act of kindness through small donations to their chosen causes. 

It can be recalled that Airfunding was constantly giving help to Filipinos in need since they have opened their platform for Philippine use. Different relief operations were made to help typhoon Rolly and Ulysses hard-hit areas among others.

There is help beyond borders and barriers, Airfunding has over 10,000,000 supporters around the world and can be accessed in 200+ countries. Airfunding is free to use, anyone can register and start creating projects in less than 5 minutes.  Airfunding hopes to attract more Filipinos to create more projects, whether for personal, for the community or for any cause (so that the world will see and send their support).  

Visit their website at www.airfunding.net

Contact Information

Organization: Airfunding by Kiheitai Inc.

Address: Matsura bldg. 5F 1-9-6 Shiba Minato-ku Tokyo 105-0014 Japan

Phone: +81 03-6277-8045

Website: www.airfunding.net

Email: info.airfunding@kiheitai.co.jp

December 1 , 2020

Press Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AIRFUNDING, a global crowdfunding company donates care packs to typhoon Rolly’s hard-hit areas in Cagsawa, Albay in the Philippines.

Airfunding, a global donation-based crowdfunding platform launched its Airfunding CARES campaign in the Philippines.

Makati, Philippines Release Date: December 1 , 2020; For Immediate Release.

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As the Philippines is currently battling the after-effects of the destructive typhoons Rolly and Ulysses Airfunding, a global donation-based crowdfunding platform recently launched its company-sponsored charity drive named Airfunding Cares,  to help people affected by natural calamities and the global pandemic crisis. A recent relief effort was sent to Cagsawa, Daraga, Albay in the Philippines to help families hard hit by typhoon Rolly. Airfunding sent “Care Packs” to more than 100 families and distributed bread among young children in the streets leading to the area.

“These typhoons are devastatingly destructive, and our hearts goes out to millions of affected. Although our effort may not be enough, we are trying our best effort to bring in more help through donations from our millions of supporters across the globe” 

Airfunding Cares  is committed to raising $ 10,000 to help more people in the Philippines especially the Cagayan and Tuguegarao province who suffered the most  because of the flooding brought about by typhoon Ulysses.

In addition to the company campaign, the site has also received more than 100 new projects for the same cause. Filipinos from all over the world created fundraising project on www.airfunding.net  Airfunding is a fundraising platform that specializes in small-scale projects made by individuals, groups, or local NGOs, for a personal cause, community initiative, an event, or just anything that needs funding.  It’s a keep-it-all crowdfunding platform, so project owners keep the entire amount collected even if the target hasn’t been met.

Why keep-it-all platform?  ” We believe that even a small amount of money would be a real help to project owners. That’s why we decided to make a keep-it-all platform. Our business model relies on tips from the supporter. It’s essentially just a commission but, when you support a project you can choose to tip a percentage of the amount.” – says Ryosuke Abe, CEO of Co-Founder of Kiheitai Inc., the parent group for Airfunding.

There is help beyond borders and barriers, Airfunding has over 10,000,000 supporters around the world and can be accessed in 200+ countries. Airfunding is free to use, anyone can register and start creating projects in less than 5 minutes. Airfunding hopes to attract more Filipinos to create more projects, whether for personal, for the community, or for any cause (so that the world will see and send their support).  

Visit their website at www.airfunding.net

Contact Information

Organization: Airfunding by Kiheitai Inc.

Address: Matsura bldg. 5F 1-9-6 Shiba Minato-ku Tokyo 105-0014 Japan

Phone: +81 03-6277-8045

Website: www.airfunding.net

Email: info.airfunding@kiheitai.co.jp

November 29, 2020

Press Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Japan-based Crowdfunding Platform, Airfunding is Now Available in the Philippines.

Airfunding, a global donation-based crowdfunding platform opens its doors to Filipinos.

Makati, Philippines Release Date: November 29, 2020; For Immediate Release.

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Kiheitai Inc., a Tokyo-based digital company recently launched their crowdfunding site called Airfunding in the Philippines. Airfunding is a fundraising platform that specializes in small-scale projects made by individuals, groups, or local NGOs, for a personal cause, community initiative, an event, or just anything that needs funding.  It’s a keep-it-all crowdfunding platform, so project owners keep the entire amount collected even if the target hasn’t been met.

Why keep-it-all platform?  ” We believe that even a small amount of money would be a real help to project owners. That’s why we decided to make a keep-it-all platform. Our business model relies on tips from the supporter. It’s essentially just a commission but, when you support a project you can choose to tip a percentage of the amount.” – says Ryosuke Abe, CEO of Co-Founder of Kiheitai Inc., the parent group for Airfunding.

There is help beyond borders and barriers, Airfunding has over 10,000,000 supporters around the world and can be accessed in 200+ countries. Airfunding is free to use, anyone can register and start creating projects in less than 5 minutes.

A recent and ongoing project to help COVID-19 in Cebu city has already raised $ 2,646 as of November 5, 2020, and is still gathering more support from people all over the world. One of the most successful projects is from Wahyu Bagus Setiadi, a person living in West Sumatra, Indonesia who needs to raise funds for his Cranioplasty surgery. Up to date, he has gathered $8,652 donations to fund his surgery. Airfunding is a global donation-type crowdfunding platform that allows people not only to open projects but also to donate and to share on Social Media Networks to be able to also help.

With the current world situation, where many people are in dire need of support, Airfunding has bridged the gap of barriers so that everyone can help everyone. Now people can seek help and provide support to almost anyone in the world.

By opening up its doors to the Philippines, Airfunding hopes to attract more Filipinos to create more projects, whether for personal, for the community, or for any cause (so that the world will see and send their support).  

Visit their website at www.airfunding.net

Contact Information

Organization: Airfunding by Kiheitai Inc.

Address: Matsura bldg. 5F 1-9-6 Shiba Minato-ku Tokyo 105-0014 Japan

Phone: +81 03-6277-8045

Website: www.airfunding.net

Email: info.airfunding@kiheitai.co.jp