CLACK, an NPO based in Osaka's Yodogawa Ward, provides high school students from economically disadvantaged families with academic support, specifically, free computer programming classes. This is an unprecedented type of academic support. Instead of the standard school subjects, CLACK specializes in programming and combines this with a career education program. Further, computers are provided for free and students' transportation expenses are paid. The NPO's 26-year old director, Mr. Daiki Hirai, established the NPO and has promoted its activities.

Mr. Hirai's activities originate from his early life history. When he was in junior high school, his father's udon restaurant went out of business and his parents divorced. Only a large amount of debt was left. Electricity and gas utilities were often cut off. He spent much of his high school days working part-time jobs to earn a living pay school expenses. He strongly felt that his living environment was different than that of his classmates.

Mr. Hirai entered Osaka Prefecture University in 2015. Motivated to help children in circumstances similar to his, during his first three years of university, starting that first April, he participated in the activities of an academic support organization*1 supporting junior high and high school students from economically disadvantaged families. Realizing the importance of seeing poverty issues from a macro perspective, Mr. Hirai broadened his view and knowledge by, for example, taking classes taught by Professor Yamano, a professor at the university specialized in child and family welfare- ore specifically children's poverty. He took a one-year leave of absence after his third year of university and became an intern for a nonprofit organization seeking to solve many different problems that society and local communities face.*2 Determined to work in the business of supporting children in bad situations through the NPO's activities, Mr. Hirai established CLACK with some likeminded people in June 2018. CLACK became a nonprofit organization in March 2019.

Believing that simply giving children money is not enough to help them escape from the cycle of poverty, Mr. Hirai decided to pursue his mission of helping the disadvantaged high school students become independent by supporting their study of programming so that they would be able to acquire skills that would necessary in the future. This is because the continued digitization of society has increased the need for human resources with IT and programming skills. Additionally, programming is a process of repeated trial and error through which individuals can experience the overcoming obstacles one by one. This helps individuals acquire the ability to think, overcome difficulties and become capable of independently opening a pathway to their future. CLACK also provides career education to students so that they will be able to envision their future (including classes on money and life, round-table discussions with working adults and university students and visits to IT companies).

More specifically, in Tech Runway, students learn the basics in a three-month twice-a-week programming course and a five-class career education course. When they complete the courses, they are able to make websites and web apps by themselves. Students who want to acquire higher-level skills can join the Tech Runway Plus program which provide practical opportunities to experience roles through corporate internships, being a part-time programming instructor, and other opportunities.

Since CLACK was founded, more than 100 high school students have taken the courses. Some graduates are building careers by maximizing their skills. This includes employees of web production companies, after-school programming class teachers and students at information technology vocational colleges. CLACK's activities are producing results. Going forward, CLACK plans to set up bases in Tokyo and other areas, cooperate with local support organizations and support high school students around the country. "Create a society where children have hope for their future and live exciting lives, irrespective of the differences in their environments that they grow up in." This is Mr. Hirai's wish.

Mr. Hirai says that simply giving disadvantaged children money is not enough to help them break free from the cycle of poverty. These words are very important and we are deeply aligned with this idea. The focus on programming, whose importance is increasing, is a novel idea that is unique for the young people of today. It is practical and good. Providing career education is also a creditable ambition. The high school students should be able to open up their own paths through life because of these opportunities to interact with working adults and university students. The awardee is also making solid efforts to build an organization to sustain his activities.