Japan: Summer Event for Elementary School Children: “I Want to Know More about the World!”

Experiencing the Daily Lives of Children in Myanmar (Burma), Afghanistan, and South Sudan
 
AAR Japan hosted a summer event for elementary school children entitled, “Experience the daily lives of children around the world: Take a round-the-world journey in 90 minutes.” The event was held in AAR Japan’s Tokyo office once in the morning and once in the afternoon on August 21^st, and was attended by 21 elementary school children and their parents.

Children at the event “depart” on a world trip conducted by Takehiro HOZUMI, AAR Japan staff (left).

Myanmar (Burma): Community-Based Assistance for Persons with Disabilities

In Myanmar (Burma), a lack of understanding about persons with disabilities (PWDs) and poor infrastructural accessibility are making it difficult for PWDs to go to school or find employment. In order to assist PWDs in the country, AAR Japan has operated a vocational training center since 2000 and supported a school for children with disabilities since 2001. Since 2009, AAR Japan has been working striving to create a society in Myanmar that provides educational and employment opportunities for all people, with or without disabilities.

Getting More Involvement from the Community

In Dala and Shwe Phy Thar townships in the capital city of Yangon (Rangoon), AAR Japan is helping PWDs to establish and operate self-help groups. Each group, composed of 10-20 PWDs, is working to raise awareness about PWDs in the region and increase educational and employment opportunities for PWDs in the community. When a new group starts, AAR Japan staff members give them a lecture about basic knowledge such as the rights of PWDs and the advantages of working as a group. Next, AAR Japan conducts training sessions on topics such as leadership and accounting for efficient operation of the group’s activities. Later, AAR Japan helps them generate income by donating livestock and supporting the start of new businesses. Currently, six self-help groups are active in the two townships.

May 31^st, 2012 – A workshop conducted by an AAR Japan staff member for a PWD self-help group. The participants were all eagerly listening to the lecturer.

Japan: Symposium on Women and International Cooperation Commemorates Centenary of Birth of Yukika SOHMA

How We Can Play Our Part for World Peace

A celebration of the 100-year anniversary of AAR Japan founder and former chairperson Yukika SOHMA’s birth was held on June 16, 2012. The event, a symposium entitled ‘Women and International Cooperation’, was held in the U Thant International Conference Hall, United Nations University (UNU).

 
During her life, Ms. SOHMA spoke of an increasingly complicated international society in which “There will come a point in time when it won’t suffice to see this as a man’s world. At that moment, I hope that women throughout the world will be able to stand up and show their innate strengths.” The symposium gathered female guests to discuss the topic of international cooperation from a female perspective. Speakers included major contributors to society and international cooperation, as well as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ms. Jody WILLIAMS.

June 16^th, 2012 – Roughly 300 guests braved the rain to attend the event. (UNU, U Thant International Conference Hall)

Japan: AAR Japan Holds a Nature Experience Workshops for Children

For the Children of Fukushima, Who Cannot Play Outside Freely

Because of the impact of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, children of Fukushima Prefecture seldom have the opportunity to play outside. Furthermore, outdoor play areas for children are limited around the temporary housing complexes. Not being able to play outside not only leads to psychological stress for the children, but constant lack of exercise, which causes obesity and the weakening of the immune system, is also a concerning matter.

The city of Sukagawa located in central Fukushima, is no exception. According to a research conducted by the city, approximately 1,000 houses and 3,400 houses were completely destroyed and partially destroyed respectively, and more than 14,500 houses had been affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake (as of January 4^th, 2012). Even now, more than 1,800 people are living in the city’s temporary or subsidized housing complexes as disaster evacuees.

In response, AAR Japan held the “Nishi-Aizu Waku-Waku Kids’ School” (waku-waku describes a state of excitement in Japanese) to help reduce the stress that the children experience from living in temporary housing and to combat the problem of lack of exercise. We also hoped that this event would be a good opportunity for the children to create unforgettable summer memories during such tough times. For two days from July 22^nd to July 23^rd, the event was held in the town of Nishi-Aizu in Fukushima Prefecture’s Yama County. Twenty families from Sukagawa City were invited to Lotus Inn and the International Art Village to take part in nature experience workshops. With a population of about 7,000, Nishi-Aizu Town is a remarkably nature-rich area with a beautiful landscape that is located in western Fukushima. The amount of aerial radiation is relatively low at about 0.8 micro-sievert per hour, which is about the same level as that of the Kanto region.

Japan: Charity Concert – Friends Of Kodo And Wadaiko

In cooperation with Rolex of Japan, AAR Japan held a charity concert entitled ‘Friends of Kodo And Wadaiko: Sounds Of The Festival’ on June 19^th, 2012. Wadaiko refers to traditional Japanese drumming, while Kodo is the name of a renowned wadaiko troupe from Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture. The concert was held for the benefit of those affected by March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake in Japan’s Tohoku region.
 
Although the event coincided with the landfall of a typhoon over Tokyo, many still braved the inclement weather to come to Suntory Hall in Tokyo’s Minato Ward. Mr. Tamasaburo BANDO, artistic director of Kodo, delivered a message at the opening of the concert, telling the audience, “I hope Kodo can give you strength, and somehow inspire you for tomorrow.”

The JAA High School drumming club goes through pre-curtain nerves.

Japan: New Dental Clinic Opened in Ogatsu Town, Ishinomaki City

Medical Facilities in Ogatsu Town were Destroyed by the March 2011 Tsunami

90% of all the houses in Ogatsu Town, part of Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, were damaged by the March 2011 tsunami. In addition, all necessary facilities for daily life, such as fire departments, post offices, schools, gas stations, and shops were lost in the disaster. Medical facilities such as general hospitals and dental clinics were completely destroyed.

 
When a mobile dental clinic conducted by a university hospital concluded operations last September, local residents had to take bus that runs only a few times a day to dental clinics in the center of Ishinomaki City, an hour away. The situation imposed a heavy burden on the elderly, who often have artificial teeth and need more dental care.

May 8^th, 2012 – Ishinomaki City Ogatsu Hospital used to have surgical, internal medicine and dental departments before the earthquake. The city has decided to close the hospital, but the building remains.

Zambia: Supporting Youth-Initiated AIDS Awareness Programs

HIV/AIDS is a serious issue in the Republic of Zambia, where 13.5% of the adult population is HIV positive, and as many as 45,000 people die from AIDS every year. To prevent the spread of HIV, education is vital. AAR Japan has been supporting young people who participate in HIV/AIDS awareness programs as part of our ongoing effort to counter HIV/AIDS in Zambia.

Supporting Students: Anti-AIDS Clubs

In accordance with a government initiative, anti-AIDS clubs are being established at every school in Zambia. Students in these clubs are learning about HIV/AIDS on their own initiative, and carry out awareness efforts to spread information in their area. However, the students do not always have the most accurate information themselves, and uncertainty regarding how best to conduct such efforts renders many clubs unable to fully achieve their objectives.

In 2009, AAR Japan started a support program in the area of Chipapa, which lies on the outskirts of the capital, Lusaka. When we first arrived, the local club was struggling. AAR Japan educated the students about HIV/AIDS and encouraged them to discuss how best to convey their knowledge to others. We  provided basic guidance on conducting effective awareness programs, such as  introducing a ‘planning, implementation, evaluation’ style of thinking, effective presentation skills, and management know-how.

As a result, the club’s students have deepened their own awareness of the problems being faced, and have turned this knowledge into ambition for their efforts, expanding their program to visiting residential houses to speak on the subject, and holding debate meetings. With the club’s activities going well, AAR Japan is taking this chance to propose new initiatives, such as nurturing leaders in the lower primary school grades and strengthening links with local residents’ groups in order to ensure that the students are able to carry on the work under their own power.

December 1^st, 2011 – On AIDS day, an anti-AIDS club comes together to hold an AIDS awareness event in Chipapa.