Donating Products to Japan Heart

In February 2026, Wacom donated eight Wacom Intuos Medium pen tablets to Japan Heart, a nonprofit organization in Japan. The devices were provided to support creative activities for children at Dream Train, a children's care facility operated by Japan Heart in Myanmar. In May 2026, Wacom also conducted a workshop using the donated tablets.

For more than 20 years, Japan Heart has provided free medical services both in Japan and abroad, primarily across Southeast Asia. Beyond medical support, the nonprofit organization is committed to helping children build brighter futures – and a society – where they can thrive through support in daily living, education and employment. This initiative with Wacom and Japan Heart grew out of ongoing conversations about the potential for collaboration through drawing after Japan Heart shared stories about children who love to create art.

Using Pen Tablets to Help Children Spend Time Safely and Comfortably

The donated pen tablets will be used at Dream Train to help children explore their creative expression while also introducing them to creative fields that could become future career paths.

Founded in Yangon, Myanmar, in 2010, Dream Train supports children whose lives have been affected by HIV and poverty. Through long-term assistance focused on education, personal development and employment opportunities, the organization helps children work toward their dreams and build brighter futures. In recent years, one student became the first child from Dream Train to enroll at Yangon University of Arts, serving as a milestone that reflects the impact of this ongoing support.

Today, however, many children continue to face challenges due to unstable circumstances and difficult living conditions. Some must study in limited lighting and have little freedom to go outside. In stressful environments where opportunities for concentration are often limited, pen tablets are expected to provide children with a way to engage deeply in activities, reflect on their feelings, and spend time with a greater sense of comfort and security.

Hosting a Workshop Using the Donated Pen Tablets

From May 11 to 14, 2026, the Creative Spark Workshop was held as part of a summer holiday activity that children living at Dream Train could safely enjoy within the facility. Twenty children aged 9 to 18 participated in the workshop and were divided into four groups. Using the donated pen tablets, they learned digital drawing. It was particularly memorable to see them pick up pen tablets for the first time with a sense of curiosity and become deeply focused on their drawing.

As part of the workshop, Myanmar-based artists Arctico Wolf and Apolo Crimson were invited as guest instructors to help expand the children's understanding of what creative careers can look like. They shared their personal journeys and experiences as working artists, including real-life experiences rooted in Myanmar's culture and living environment, such as how they help their families understand a career in art and how they continue creating despite frequent power outages. They also provided hands-on instruction on how to use pen tablets and digital drawing applications, giving the children a valuable opportunity to learn directly from professional artists.

Artist talk and digital drawing session led by Arctico Wolf and Apolo Crimson

Artwork Presentation Event

One week after the workshop, an artwork presentation event was held on May 21st to celebrate the children’s creativity and accomplishments. Approximately 100 children from Dream Train gathered to view the digital artworks created during the workshop.

Children from Dream Train gathered for the artwork presentation event

The theme of the artwork was "Sparks," reflecting the theme of Wacom's Social Initiatives program. Children were encouraged to freely express their thoughts and feelings, whether it be happiness, sadness, things they loved, or things they disliked. The artworks included depictions of beautiful landscapes, happy moments, and expressions of struggle and sadness. Through the creative process, the children appeared to be reflecting on a wide range of emotions.

Arctico Wolf and Apolo Crimson also joined the presentation event online. Having worked closely with the children throughout the workshop and witnessing their creative growth firsthand, they selected two outstanding pieces to receive the Creative Spark Award. The award-winning artworks will be featured on Our Sparks, a special page within Wacom's Social Initiatives program.

Children presenting their artwork to the audience

Expanding Children's Confidence and Horizons Through Creative Experiences

Reina Nasuda, Project Director of Dream Train, who closely supported the initiative, shared her thoughts on using the donated pen tablets going forward:

"The children who participated in the workshop will continue using the pen tablets, and we are also exploring opportunities for them to become instructors for future sessions with other children. This would not only help reinforce and deepen their own skills but also create valuable peer-learning opportunities throughout the facility. We hope to continue expanding the use of the pen tablets so that more children can benefit from creative learning experiences.

We would also like to create more opportunities for children to apply their skills to real-world design projects, such as exhibiting their artwork at local festivals or creating rewards and promotional materials for Dream Train's crowdfunding campaigns.

When children see their work reaching others while inspiring happiness and appreciation, it can become a powerful source of confidence and self-belief. Experiences like these can help them recognize creative work as a meaningful path for their future career options. Moving forward, we hope to continue using the tablets in ways that expand their confidence and broaden their horizons while developing ideas together with the children."

For Wacom team members who joined the workshop and presentation event online, the experience also offered a valuable opportunity to discover new possibilities in drawing. Wacom hopes that the children of Dream Train will continue to grow in a rich and meaningful way through many more moments of drawing and creativity.,