According to World Vision, there are currently about 9.2% of the world's population, or 689 million people living under extreme poverty, defined as less than $1.90 a day or about 200 Japanese yen, by the World Bank.
World Scholarship Organization (WSO) is a not for profit organization, run by volunteers from Sydney's Japanese community, providing educational opportunities to youth, with the hopes of putting an end to the cycle of poverty.
Founded in 2014, WSO provides free scholarships to poor youth, primarily in Bangladesh and Kenya, from enrollment to graduation, to help them acquire skills and earn a living.
WSO at Japan Expo, December 2021 Source: World Scholarship Organization
Mr. Masahito Yamaguchi, the founder and president of WSO, says that their studies must closely relate to vocational trainings, such as nursing, accounting or IT.
The goal of the organization is to provide these youth with the "skills" needed to "earn a living", and the scholarship participants themselves in return, helping others in poverty, thus putting an end to the cycle.
Mr Yamaguchi has visited Bangladesh almost every year, meeting potential scholarship recipients, and catching up with those already in the program.
In Bangladesh, 24.3% of the population are said to be living under the poverty line, and according to Mr Yamaguchi, almost half of the children are unable to finish eighth grade, which is the compulsory education in the country.
"When I visit restaurants in Dhaka, children are still serving curry and rice"
"I met a youth, who works for a private bus company, earning just US$1-2 for an intense 12 hour shift" says Mr Yamaguchi.
"Unfortunately, this is the reality"
Whilst in Kenya, 36.1% of the countries' population are said to be living under the poverty line, with the droughts over the years, further amplifying the situation.
"Unable to continue their agricultural business, children are forced to discontinue their study" says Mr Yamaguchi. 
Mr Yamaguchi's motivation to help those in need, date back to 1978, when he met Mother Teresa in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India and volunteered at her Home for sick and dying.
Children of Dhaka, Bangladesh Source: Masahito Yamaguchi
"Ever since then, I wanted to do something like Mother Teresa"
In 2012, Mr Yamaguchi also met Bangladeshi entrepreneur and Nobel peace prize winner, Muhammad Yunus who taught him that microfinance alone cannot eradicate poverty, and that "education" holds one of the key to ending poverty.
Thus provision of education became WSO's guiding principle.
WSO Charity Festa 2022
Education holds one of the key to escaping poverty Source: Masahito Yamaguchi
Every year, WSO holds a fundraising event as part of their activities, bringing the Japanese communities together to not only contribute to the fundraiser, but to showcase their culture and have a good time.
This year, the Japanese community of Sydney will once again come together to hold the WSO Charity Festa 2022 on May 8 at the Crows Nest Centre in Sydney.
From Kimono Show to sumo demonstration, performance by the renowned Sydney Sakura Choir, as well as performances of ballet, break dancing, and cheerleading by children, it will be an eventful day.
Click below for an audio interview with WSO President Masahito Yamaguchi.
Listen to SBS Japanese Radio on Tue, Thu and Sat from 10pm
