AAR Japan

AAR Japan started its assistance in Haiti soon after the massive earthquake hit the country in January 2010, and its operation are still ongoing. Since February 2013, we have equipped latrines and fitted hand-washing stations at schools, together with organizing training workshops for school teachers on hygiene education as well as for schoolmasters and administration staff on school management. Our intention is to prevent the spread of cholera in Haiti, where half the number of cholera infections in the world is believed to exist.
In the long perspective, we aim to involve local residents and improve the hygiene conditions of the entire community. Ryota Hirama from AAR’s Haiti office reports.

River is crucial for the local residents

The target area of AAR’s activity is Rivière Froid in the Carrefour region, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, the capital city. Rivière Froid means “cold river” in English. As the name suggests, a river flows in the middle of this area.

It is said that the name of the river comes from the fact that rivers are very important for Haitian people, as they are used to cool down their bodies. The river is one of the most important water sources for people in the area. When we pass through the neighborhood, we see a lot of women washing clothes along the riverside. A girl once told us that she was going for a shower when she was on her way to the river. The river is indeed attached to Haitian people’s everyday lives.

The river is essential for the life of people in Haiti.

River is a garbage dump and toilet

However, it is a sad fact that the river is also a place for garbage dumping and bodily waste. It is a serious problem. As the availability of toilets in the area is extremely low, many people have no choice other than to urinate and defecate in the open air. Consequently, when it rains, bodily waste mixes with the rain water, flows into the river, and contaminates the water, - making it one of the sources of cholera infection. As a result, the rate of cholera infection in the area goes up significantly during the rainy season.

According to a research study, 78% of the local residents do not understand the correlation between bodily waste and pollution of the river. In fact, an interview we conducted the other day revealed the fact that some families even drink the river water.

On the other hand, a female interviewee said to us, “I know the water of the river is dirty, but I have no choice but to use it, because I have no money to buy clean water.” Hence it seems incorrect to conclude that people drink the river water due to the lack of knowledge.

Despite the water being used for washing clothes and showering, there is garbage in the river. It is also a toilet for both people and farm animals.

As a result of hygiene education, children have come to love cleaning. They even fight over brooms, saying “I will do it!”

We can prevent the spread of cholera by teaching appropriate actions, such as using bathrooms and washing hands after performing bodily functions and before meals. AAR Japan aims to spread knowledge on sanitation and to promote awareness at schools, within families, and eventually throughout the entire local community.

AAR has built and repaired the latrines at eight elementary schools in the Carrefour region, and equipped them with tanks to store rainwater for washing hands. We have also organized workshops for school teachers on effective hygiene education. In Haiti, hygiene education is already included in the official school curriculum, which is overseen by the Ministry of Education. However, hygiene classes are not conducted in many schools, and even where they are conducted, in many cases teachers only give a one-way lecture to the students, which is evidently ineffective. Addressing these situations, AAR introduced a more “inclusive way” of hygiene education to the teachers, through using pictures or giving questions to children, for example; so that students can actively participate in class and learn about sanitation and hygiene issues more proactively.

AAR also organized a “hygiene club” to promote student-centered hygiene awareness activities. Members of the club play active roles, such as informing each other about sanitation issues, and taking responsibility for cleaning up the school.
The latrines and the hand-washing stations must be properly maintained even after AAR’s support ends. To maintain equipment clean at schools, schools must secure a sufficient budget for purchasing sanitary products, such as soaps and cleaning equipment. In order to taking these actions, AAR organizes workshops for school staff members who are involved in operational management.
10 months have passed since the start of the project. Students who rarely washed their hands before have now come to wash their hands willingly and regularly. The hygiene club has led children to realize that “WE are in charge of cleaning our school,” and now we even see some children fighting over brooms to clean up their classroom. We are encouraged by their positive attitude.

“We used to be able to drink this river water,” says a staff member at our Haiti office. We hope that our hygiene education will contribute to the prevention of river pollution, and regaining the clean river that people used to enjoy.

We conduct hygiene education workshops for the teachers, so that they can teach the information to their students, and reduce the risk of infectious diseases in the community.

Children of Candy Ophanor Elementary School, one of the schools which AARn supported, sing a song which they made for AAR. The lyrics is, ” Thanks to AAR, we can use clean bathrooms, wash hands and prevent diseases. Thank you.”

Ryota HIRAMA, AAR Japan Haiti office.
He has been working in AAR Japan’s Haiti office since June 2012. He joined Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers while at college and involved himself in actions against HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Benin, West Africa, for two years. After returning to Japan, he studied global health, infection prevention and international development in his Master's degree in order to acquire more professional knowledge. Following graduation, he joined AAR Japan. His hometown is in Hokkaido.

As many as 26,000 people (as of March 14th) have fled from continuous fighting in South Sudan to Kakuma Refugee Camp in neighboring Kenya. This is a report on the relief activities and the refugees’ lives by Daijo TSUCHIKAWA, an AAR staff member of South Sudan Office, who is responsible for humanitarian aid in the Camp.

Daijo TSUCHIKAWA (to the left), an AAR staff, interviewing the refugees. (March 12th, 2014)

The outbreak of violence in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, in December 2013 saw thousands of civilians killed. As a result, more than 930,000 people have fled from their homes and evacuated to neighboring countries. With the spread of the civil war in South Sudan, the number of refugees is expected to increase (as of March 14th, 2014, according to UNOCHA) .

Kakuma Refugee Camp, which serves approximately 130,000 refugees, was set up in 1992, and AAR has been monitoring and supporting this Camp as of this February. With the drastic increase in the number of refugees from South Sudan since December 2013, this Camp is close to exceeding its capacity. There is a shortage of daily necessities, such as water, food, tents, and clothes ; the need for water is the most urgent.

Torrential rains have prevented UN organizations from delivering drinking water to Kakuma Refugee Camp by water truck. As the result there are shortages of safe drinking water and more and more people in the Camp are being forced to drink the water from dirty puddles. There is growing concern about the worsening of sanitary conditions within the Camp.

After a long journey, refugees arrived at Kakuma Refugee Camp exhausted, to find there was no place to rest - all the tents were flooded. They had to relocate to another place. (March 14th, 2014)

In collaboration with UN organizations and other international NGOs, AAR is currently planning to build a water supply system to provide the refugees with a regular supply of safe drinking water. In order to prevent future water shortages AAR plans to link a well (approximately 5km northeast of the refugee camp) to a nearby water tank (approximately 0.5km from the Camp). This will allow the refugees at the Camp to obtain a safe supply of water even during the toughest conditions. A 4.5km water pipe will stretch between the well and the water tank. . This will greatly reduce the distance which refugees in the Camp need to travel to procure safe drinking water and will prevent shortages caused by weather conditions. We plan to construct the pipe in time to provide safe drinking water to the refugees in the Camp during the rainy season, which will begin in April.

Because of the torrential rains, all the roads were muddy, making it impossible for a water truck to reach the Camp.

Voice of a refugee: “A Friend Fleeing With Me Was Shot Dead”

Ms. Martha Thod (25). Her husband died in June 2013. Her three children, who cannot be reached yet, are still in South Sudan. Martha lives with her brother in the Camp.

“After my husband’s death, I had to support my mother and my three children, so I was living alone in Juba, about a 2-hour drive from home. I made my living by selling tea to passers-by. The fighting in the capital, Juba, broke out all of a sudden last December. Neither my mother nor my children had a cell phone, so there was no way of contacting them. I had no choice but to flee. Seeing militiamen assault our neighborhood, my friend and I took shelter on the premises of an UN organization. On the way, my friend, who was beside me, was killed by a stray bullet. I believe my mother and my children must be safe, but I still don’t know whether they have survived or not.”
“I’m not going to return to South Sudan. I would like my children to come to Kakuma Refugee Camp. I want to start my own business and have my children educated in Kenya.

Inside the tent where Martha lives with her brother; They sleep on a mat laid on the ground. What you can see in the center of the picture is all her belongings. (November 24th, 2013)

Daijo TSUCHIKAWA joined AAR Tokyo Office in October 2012 and coordinated AAR’s projects in both Kenya and South Sudan. As of April 2014, he has been stationed in our office in South Sudan and has presided over projects concerning the drilling of wells. Furthermore, he is also currently in charge of supporting Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.

With Try-and-Error Efforts of Teachers

In Cambodia many children with disabilities cannot receive education even after they reach schooling age for various reasons. In Kandal Province, southern Cambodia, AAR Japan has been providing support to enable an increased number of children with disabilities to have access to education since April 2013. An AAR staff member Tomoko SONODA reports.

To begin with, AAR built and renovated toilets in three primary schools to make them accessible by wheelchairs. It also carried out construction works to improve physical conditions of the schools, such as installing wheelchair ramps and paving walkways within the school grounds.

Pupils of Cheom Saren Primary School with Tomoko SONODA (right) in front of newly paved pathway in the school. (October 14th, 2013)

AAR then organized training programs for teachers in each school to increase their awareness and understanding of various disabilities. It also offered training for teachers on the use of relevant teaching materials which would facilitate the learning of children with disabilities. The training program included desired seat plans for children with disabilities, loudness of aural instructions for children with hearing disabilities, and the use of blackboard for weak-eye children. In their daily classes, many teachers who have attended the training are now making good use of what they have learnt.

One of the participants in the training program, Ms. Cheom Saren (teacher at Kor Cho Ram primary school), is in charge of a class in which there are several children with disabilities. After the training she became more attentive and effective at caring for children with disabilities and changed her way of speaking and communicating with them. She said, “Thanks to the training I now understand how to cope with matters which I’ve had difficulties in tackling before, such as how to explain to children with disabilities and how to best interact with them. Pupils with disabilities are as eager to learn as other pupils. I now want to help them learn well together with other children.”

Teacher Ms. Ny Rithyromny says that AAR’s teacher training program was helpful. “I would like to continue to foster pupils’ wish to learn,” she says. (February 27th, 2014)

Mr. Ny Rithyromny (8 years old) is with hearing disabilities and sits in the most front row in the classroom. As the teacher speaks clearly and slowly, he looks happy and says, “I can now comprehend better than before.” (January 13th, 2014)

“Yes, I can.” Fosters Self Confidence.

Teacher Ms. Luy Sophon (right), in charge of Mr. Ny Virak’s class, says “Having participated in AAR’s teacher training, I now interact with children with disabilities with a sense of affection.” (February 27th, 2014)

At the three primary schools, AAR also provides wheelchairs and other supporting equipment, as well as physical rehabilitation and medical treatment support. With the supporting equipment, children with disabilities can study more effectively, and with rehabilitation programs they increase what they can do by themselves, all of which contribute to their self-confidence and esteem.
Mr. Ny Virak ( 8 years old) is at first grade in Prek Ta Mek primary school. Because he has had no arms since birth, he has been taking notes on a small blackboard beneath his desk in chalk using his foot. When AAR offered a chair equipped with a footrest, he was pleased, saying that it made taking notes much easier. He looked happy and said, “The school is joyful, and thanks to the barrier-free construction works I can move and act easily in the school.” Teacher Luy Sophon, in charge of Mr. Ny Virak’s class, said “Before, I had difficulty in teaching children with disabilities. Greatly helped by the teacher training, I now interact with them and support their study with a sense of affection.”

Mr. Ny Virak(8 years old) has no arm from his birth. Previously, he took notes beneath the desk on a small blackboard, which seemed difficult.

When AAR provided a chair equipped with a footrest, Mr. Ny Virak said, “With this, writing is much easier.” (February 21st, 2014)

Involving Local People

In order for children with disabilities to have an opportunity for education, the local people’s understanding and cooperation are as indispensable as those of the schools’. Late September last year, prior to the new school year, we conducted a campaign to promote education for school-aged children in the three villages where AAR runs its project. Many primary school pupils gathered and paraded the villages, highlighting the importance of education for children with disabilities by putting up placards and handing out leaflets which read: “Entering school for children with disabilities will enhance human resources of the village,” “Every child, regardless of whether he/she is with disabilities, has a right to education,” etc.

Primary school pupils paraded the village, calling “Let all children, regardless of whether they are with disabilities or not, have the opportunity to go to school!” (September 20th, 2013)

AAR also organized events to increase the local people’s awareness of Cambodian laws and regulations concerning persons with disabilities. Primary school children played skits, or short performances, on the theme of education, employment, medical care or rehabilitation. At a skit on the theme of education, for example, two pairs of a mother and her child appear on the stage, where one of the child is disabled while the other isn’t. The able-bodied child goes to a school with his mother for school enrollment while the other disabled child pleas with his own mother, “I also want to go to school!” The mother responds, “You are handicapped. What is the use of your going to school?” This concludes the skit. The participants are then asked to discuss among themselves what they thought about the skit. After discussion, the facilitator (an AAR local staff member) explains that children with disabilities also have a right to receive education and that it is stipulated by Cambodian law.

We organized an event to deepen understanding about persons with disabilities using skits. Skits were eagerly played by children and highly appreciated by the local people. (November 22nd, 2013)

Through the skit, important laws can be explained in a free and easy way informally. Skit is a very effective way for sharing information, through which participants themselves think and learn with keen interest. The children played very well at the skit. The skit was favorably received by the local people as well, including family members of children with disabilities.
I feel happy whenever I hear “thank you!” for our support activities from children with disabilities, their guardians and teachers. However, in Cambodia, still only a handful of children with disabilities can receive such support. AAR will carry out these programs in larger communities, and continue our efforts to increase the number of schools where all the children can go and study with merry smiles, regardless of whether they are with or without disabilities.

Tomoko SONODA, AAR Japan Cambodia Office (profile as of the date of the article)
After graduating from a university, worked in a diplomatic establishment abroad before studying development education in the United Kingdom. Afterwards, engaged in school management in Cambodia for two years as a member of JOCV (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers), then joined AAR Japan in May, 2011. “I would like to do what I can do now, one by one, for children with disabilities.” Ms. Sonoda is from Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Report from the sites of mine action

In April 2014, local staff members from AAR Japan’s offices in Afghanistan and Sudan, who have been providing landmine/UXO (unexploded ordnance) action, came to Japan to participate in training sessions and workshops here. They reported to the Japanese people what the current situation of landmine damage and injury is like and what kind of assistance they have been organizing; while sharing challenges, actions and creative ideas from daily operations with us.

Visitors from Afghanistan
Yama Hakami (on the left) has been working in our Kabul Office since 2005, in charge of mine risk education. This is his 6th visit to Japan to join our educational sessions. Nader Shah (on the right), at the age of 9, had a UXO accident in his neighborhood, losing both arms and sight in his right eye. Since 2006, Nader has been with AAR in charge of accounting in our Kabul Office. Pictured in the center is Yukie OSA, President of AAR.

Visitors from Sudan
Sana Bashir Ibrahim Elnaw (on the left) has been a speaker and in charge of the development of learning materials of landmine-risk education for AAR since 2008.
Yasir Mohammed El Ghaly Ahmed (on the right) has been working on the development of learning materials for mine risk education at our Khartoum Office since 2006.

Reporting their activities at a general meeting of the Diet Members’ Federation Who Push for a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines

“With proper education, victims can change their lives just like me,” said Nader (April 10th, 2014).

On 10 April, these four visitors were invited by the Diet Members’ Federation Who Push for a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines (Chairperson: Kenji KOSAKA and Chief Secretary: Yuko OBUCHI), which is a cross-party organization, to their general meeting. At this meeting, they reported on the current situation of landmine-related issues and various activities in their countries. This Federation was established in 1997, and plays a vital role in terms of Japan’s signing of the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines (Ottawa Treaty).
Nader, from our Afghanistan Office, who himself was a victim of UXO said: “Recently, not only landmines but also UXOs have been inflicting serious injury on us, especially on children in many cases. These children need educational support above all.” He also said, by way of appreciation for the Federation’s efforts and support from Japan: “Thanks to the support from Japan through AAR, I was able to acquire a command of English and computer literacy, which has enabled me to contribute to the reduction of mine damage in my country, just like the way I am doing now.” At the general meeting, the Diet Members’ Federation kindly donated 500,000 JPY to AAR for the promotion of landmine-risk education and the provision of assistance to landmine/UXOs victims.

Introducing their activities as well as the culture and life in their countries

Sana, from our Sudan Office
“I want to be helpful to those who live in the region that is contaminated by landmines/UXOs.
(April 11th, 2014 at the multipurpose hall of the head office of Global Youth Bureau Co., Ltd.)

On 11 April, a briefing session, “Report from Sites of Mine Action,” was held in the multipurpose hall of the head office of Global Youth Bureau Co., Ltd (Tokyo, Minato Ward.) These four visitors provided information about their activities and various facts about their cultures and lives. Sana, from our Sudan Office, briefed us on an occasion when she met some landmine victims through the mine risk education activities, and also told us of difficulties and roles that are unique to women. She said, “In Sudan, an Islamic nation, it is not easy for a woman like me to provide activities in local villages. Women, to be accepted, are obliged to stay alert in terms of such things as what to wear and how to behave, paying respect to cultures and customs that differ from region to region. However, there are places that accept us because we are women and there are things that only women can cover and report on.”

After they listened to each other’s briefings, the members of the two offices exchanged their opinions, which included: “I think that an approach such as mine risk education through a region-initiative style adopted by Afghanistan is very effective in the areas where public security has been deteriorating. I would like to put it to the test in Sudan, too.”
“In Afghanistan, experiences have led us to realize the importance of getting teachers and religious leaders involved in our activities. I sincerely hope that people in Sudan will give full consideration to this suggestion.”
Some participants in the session also gave us feedback, which included the following two examples: “It was interesting to me that how to tackle the same problem varies from country to country.”
“Nader, who overcame his misfortune and has been playing an active role, has truly inspired me.”

“We hope that our direct report to the Japanese people
will trigger a greater concern about landmine-related issues,”
said the four visitors.
(April 11th, 2014)

The donations received on this day amounted to 16,279 yen.
AAR will appreciatively make the best use of these
donations to provide further mine action.

AAR’s fulfillment of further mine action

Some 20 years have passed since AAR started to work on landmine/UXOs action, and this is the first opportunity for local staff members to exchange views and opinions with one another.
We will continue to do our utmost to accomplish further landmine action, sharing with one another our experiences and knowledge, as former local staff members have steadily accumulated in each country over the past two decades.

Please visit the websites below for further details of the activities of each country:
Activities in Afghanistan.
Activities in Sudan.

Masumi HONDA from AAR Japan’s Tokyo Office
Since September 2011, HONDA has been in charge of assistance-related projects. Since graduating from university in the U.S., HONDA has worked in the private sector, and has been with AAR. HONDA says, “Mine action is a must to build up a peaceful world.”

About 38,000 people have evacuated South Sudan, which has been mired in conflict since the end of last year, to the Kakuma refugee camp in neighboring Kenya (as of June 11th, 2014. UNHCR <United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees>). AAR Japan has been conducting research and providing support at the Kakuma refugee camp since February this year. Resident Staff of AAR Japan South Sudan Office Daijo TSUCHIKAWA, who is engaged in the activities on the ground, reports:

Installing Water Pipe to Deliver Safe Water to the Camp

Because of continued heavy rain, the water tank truck became stuck on the muddy road before reaching the camp. (March 19th, 2014)

It is very hot in Kakuma, with the air temperature exceeding 40°C during the day. Sandstorms hit the camp every day, and the people living there suffer a dire shortage of water for both drinking and rinsing away dust from children’s eyes. Although UN organizations deliver water to the camp with water tank trucks, road conditions worsened by continued heavy rain often hinder these trucks in reaching the camp. Because of the lack of safe water, people may have no choice but to drink standing water from the ground, raising fears of deteriorating sanitary conditions.

AAR Japan therefore established, in cooperation with the UN organizations and other international NGOs, a water supply system to ensure a stable supply of safe water to the camp. AAR assumed the task of installing 4.8 kilometer-long water pipes connecting a well northeast of the camp to a water tower at the camp. This system ensures a steady supply of water – as much as 500,000 liters a day – even when water tank trucks cannot reach the camp because of the poor road conditions.

Local people joined in to dig trenches for installing water pipes. (May 18th, 2014)

Water pipes, each with a diameter of about 11 centimeters, were connected one by one through the cooperation of the people. (May 11th, 2014)

At the opening ceremony of the water supply system, Mr. Girma, Head of Sub-Office, Kakuma, and Mr. Daijo Tsuchikawa, Resident Staff of AAR Japan South Sudan Office, jointly opened the water valve. (May 29th, 2014)

Many children living in the camp also gathered at the opening event. (May 29th, 2014)

These support activities enabled the people living in the camp, who had previously been given at most only 10 liters of water a day, to now receive 18.7 liters a day. We would like to express our gratitude to all of you who helped in our activities.

*These activities are being carried out thanks to the generous donations of many of you and the support of the Japan Platform (JPF).

Daijo TSUCHIKAWA, AAR Japan South Sudan Office (profile as of the date of the article)
Previously worked for South Sudan programs at the AAR Japan Tokyo Headquarters from October 2012. Since April 2013, as AAR Japan Resident Staff in the South Sudan Office, he has been engaged in well drilling in South Sudan and support activities in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya.

MRE sessions conducted using the original education materials　(November 22nd, 2013, Kassala)

In Sudan, countless landmines were buried during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005). There are more than 1,900 victims of landmines and unexploded ordinances (UXOs) in the country, and even after the end of war in 2005, 651 cases of new victims by landmines and UXOs have been reported (as of Mach 2014, Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA)). In addition, the conflict has reignited in southern regions of Blue Nile state and South Kordofan state in 2011, raising the risk ever higher of an increase in causalities from UXOs. Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) develops its original education materials such as posters, flip chart story, and songs and goes around villages to conduct educational sessions about landmines for local residents. Since its start in 2006, approximately 100,000 people have attended the MRE sessions.

In 24th March, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Sudan, Ryoichi HORIE, visited our project site in Kassala state, Eastern Sudan where AAR conducts the mine risk education (MRE) project. For this occasion, AAR Japan, together with local residents, organized an event to introduce the MRE program to the Ambassador. Takashi UJIKAWA of Sudan Office reports.

Presenting Mine Risk Education Activities with Local Residents

More than 250 people attended the event, amidst the heat of over 40 degrees Celsius (March 24th, 2014)

We invited the county chief, the head of the village, the government officials, and local residents of Darasta village to the event. Guests include a UN Senior Technical Advisor to the Mine Action Centre and the Director of National Mine Action Center (NMAC) in Kassala who drove down 8 hours from the capital Khartoum for the event even though he was on his leave at the time. In total, we received 250 guests on the day. The venue of the event was the Darasta elementary school in Telkok locality where AAR has implemented its MRE sessions.

Demonstrating Mine Risk Education Session

At the event, our field officers demonstrated a part of the MRE session that MRE teams have conducted in the village and introduced songs composed to deliver correct information on landmines among others. In addition, the students of the Darasta elementary school presented local traditional songs and a short play on mine risk education, which they prepared with AAR Japan's staff. The short play began with students trying to go into a hazardous area where landmines are buried in order to collect scrap metals. The teachers of Darasta elementary school and MRE officers joined these children and demonstrated a great performance. Dialogues within the short play were very entertaining to watch, which received wild applause from the audience.

Short play by the children of Darasta elementary school

AAR Japan's MRE field officers, Yousif (left) and Mustafa (right) giving the demonstration of MRE session.

We received speeches from many of the guests. The director of the Kassla state radio station spoke on the importance of "Kaizen (improvement)". The radio station had previously received radio recording equipment and training through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Programme, and AAR Japan has been broadcasting programs on the dangers caused by landmines with the support of the station. In hearing the director's speech with the Japanese term "Kaizen", we felt that the previous aid from Japan has taken root in the heats of the people of Sudan, and is making AAR's work worthwhile.

At the end of the program, we had the honor of receiving a speech from Ambassador, Ryoichi HORIE. In the speech, we received words of encouragement that

"Sudan receives attention and focus often on the theme of its conflict resolution as there are unceasing conflicts within the country as well as in its surrounding nations. However, it is also crucially important how to regain the life of peace and stability after the conflict. Mine action is a vital initiative to regain peace and stability and thus is important for the future of Sudan."

Through this event, I too further realized the importance of mine action and the fact that our activities have been built upon the support of so many people. The event was covered by the local media and was later broadcasted inthe TV news program nationwide. I would like to express my appreciation to the Ambassador who had visited our project site despite his busy schedule and to all the people who supported us in this event. AAR Japan will continue our work vigorously towards a mine-free Sudan.

Takashi UJIKAWA (the reporter) wearing sword and jalabeya (local male clothes) presented by the County Chief of Telkok locality. "Does it look good?"

To the ladies, the Hadendawa tribe's toab (Sudanese traditional costume) was presented from the County Chief of Telkok locality. Ikuko NATORI, Manager of Support Division, Tokyo Head Office, who was visiting Sudan at the time of the event (to the left), and Harumi KAWAGOE of Sudan Office (right).

Takashi UJIKAWA, Sudan Office
Mr. UJIKAWA majored in International Politics and spent half a year in Zambia as a volunteer while at the university. After working for electrical equipment manufacturing company, he joined AAR Japan in September 2013 as he "wish to take part in international cooperation professionally." After working in AAR Japan's office in Tajikistan, he has been assigned to Sudan office since December 2013.

Attending the experts’ meeting in Switzerland

Government representatives from 87 nations, UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and NGOs gathered for the convention. (May 13th, 2014)

Killer robots, or lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), are weapons that autonomously select and attack targets with no human intervention. Although they have not been used in the battlefield, it is estimated that the technology could be developed in 10-20 years. AAR Japan engages in a steering committee of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, an international civil society network launched in April 2013 which aims to pre-emptively ban fully autonomous weapons.

From 13th to 16th of May 2014, informal meeting of experts of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) took place at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. It was the first-ever multinational discussion on restricting killer robots. This meeting holds a major significance for work towards imposing restrictions on killer robots by CCW. As a member of Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, AAR sent its President, Yukie OSA, and Natsuki MATSUMOTO from AAR Tokyo office to the meeting.

“The challenge of killer robots is no different from that of atomic bombs”

President of AAR Japan, Yukie OSA speaking on the need for restricting killer robots. Pictured on the left is 1997 Nobel Peace Prize winner Jody Williams. (May 13th, 2014)

In the plenary session on May 13, government representatives from 30 countries, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and 9 NGOs, including AAR, delivered their statements. President OSA remarked, "If we could have stopped the development of atomic bombs, the tragedy in Hiroshima and Nagasaki would have never happened." She stressed that there surely is a weapon that we should make a pre-emptive and comprehensive ban the development, production and use, and killer robots are one of them.

Click here for full text of AAR statement. (62KB PDF)

The CCW experts' meeting progressed as specialists took the platform in turns to speak and answer questions on the topics that strongly relate to killer robots: international humanitarian law, other areas of international law, operational and military aspects, ethics and sociology, and technical issues. Through the sessions, all of which lasted longer than the scheduled time frame, a number of governments showed enthusiasm for tackling the challenge. During the meeting, a range of countries recognized the need for further multinational discussions in 2015. 5 countries urged international ban on killer robots, including Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Vatican Republic, and Pakistan. From November 14 to 17, 2014, the meeting of the States parties of CCW will be held to determine whether there’s a need for discussions on restricting killer robots under the framework of CCW.

AAR will support further discussions

About 40 people from member organizations of Campaign to Stop Killer Robots attended the meeting. May 12, 2014 (Geneva) (c) Campaign to Stop Killer Robots

This is only the beginning of international efforts for imposing a restriction on killer robots. Cooperation from the international community and citizens is vital for preventing the development of these threatening weapons. AAR believes that the challenge of killer robots is a humanitarian problem that requires civil society to work together, rather than just a political or military problem, and will continue to support further discussions.

In April 2013, Campaign to Stop Killer Robots was launched as a global coalition of NGOs keen to work on the challenge of killer robots. The current members include 51 organizations from 24 nations.
"Campaign to Stop Killer Robots"
※ Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) is a treaty for prohibiting or restricting the use of inhumane weapons, with 117 state parties including Japan (as of May 21, 2014). The treaty is composed of a framework convention and five protocols for restriction on normal weapons, such as weapons that use fragments that are not detectable by X-ray, landmines and booby traps, incendiary weapons, laser weapons that precipitate blindness, and weapons that produce unexploded ordnances.

Natsuki MATSUMOTO, AAR Tokyo Office
Public Relations Officer at the Tokyo Headquarters Office since April 2012. Graduated from university and progressed to graduate school, while working with the UN as an intern. Joined AAR Japan after completing MA course. (Profile at time of publication)

Many warm sentiments delivered to Tohoku

In the Heart-Warming Chocolate Delivery Campaign, messages of support from people all over Japan were attached to AAR Japan's charity chocolates and delivered to the areas stricken by the Tohoku Earthquake. From December 2011 to March 2014 (with the campaign running during winter only) we received orders for 6,452 chocolates.

In Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures, staff from AAR's Tohoku office distributed the chocolates by visiting temporary housing units door to door and at events organized by AAR. In this report, we will relay some of the circumstances and messages of thanks from the recipients.

"We're grateful for the support from all over Japan". Chocolates were delivered to 15 people in Konakai Temporary Shelter Complex in Ofunato city. In the front row on the far right is AAR Sendai office's Kazuo ITO (February 10th, 2014)

Happy that we aren't forgotten

As part of the Building Healthy Communities Project, AAR Japan has been holding various events at community centers among the temporary housing complexes. We have provided massages and attentive listening sessions with the aim to try and relieve even a little of the mental and physical stresses of those living in the temporary shelters. In addition to this, we have also held handicraft workshops and cooking classes, where the survivors of the disaster have had the opportunity to socialize with one another. On December 22, 2013, we delivered chocolates to a woman in her 50s living in a temporary housing unit in Soma city, Fukushima prefecture. She told us, "It's been three years since the big earthquake. As time passes, fewer and fewer volunteers come to visit the temporary housing units. But after reading the message attached to this chocolate, I thought, 'There's still people who have't forgotten'. I'm grateful for that."

"There's a message written here." (Koike-harahata Daini Temporary Housing Complex community center, Soma city, Fukushima prefecture, December 21st, 2013)

On February 9, 2014, Ms. Otomo (67 years old, pictured right) received chocolates at Ota Temporary Housing Complex in Ofunato City, Iwate prefecture. There was an attached message from Hokkaido, bearing the words, "I think the weather's still cold over there, so please take care of yourself and I hope everything goes well." After reading this, Ms. Otomo told us: "Living in temporary housing isn't so bad now, but right after the disaster was incredibly hard. I don't think I could have lived til today without any help. Knowing there are lots of people supporting us really got me through. I'm really happy to get these chocolates knowing that even 3 years on, people still remember."

Ms. Otomo says her house was washed away by the tsunami. The message attached to the chocolate brings a smile to her face. (February 9th, 2014)

"Getting messages from so far away and with such heartwarming messages is fantastic. Thank you." - disaster survivors speak unanimous words of gratitude. (Wataricho-chuo Kougyou-danchi Temporary Housing Complex, Miyagi prefecture, January 1st, 2014)

"It looks like I can get into public housing soon, but after 5 years I'll have to buy it. I don't know how I'm going to pay for it. But being able to have a good time here, and getting message chocolates from people in places I haven't heard of has really made my day." (Wataricho-chuo Kougyou-danchi Temporary Housing Complex, Miyagi prefecture, January 1st, 2014)

Every single word in the messages supporting those with problems of their own

AAR Japan wrapped up all chocolate deliveries in April 2014, and received many delighted words of thanks: "Getting messages from so far away and with such heartwarming messages is fantastic. Thank you." We can safely say that the presence of those supporting the disaster zone along with each written message has been a source of support for many people here burdened with different problems. Each and every single word has given renewed strength and courage to these survivors. We at AAR Japan would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported and cooperated with us in the Heart-Warming Chocolate Delivery Campaign.

Below is just a few of the comments we received from chocolate recipients.

- I have stiff shoulders and leg and groin pain, which only gets worse as the cold weather goes on. But after getting such warm messages with these chocolates, I feel as though both my mind and body are warmed up, and it makes me feel at ease. I can't thank you enough. (79 year old woman)

- I really don't know when and if I'll ever be able to leave this temporary house. I feel anxious every day and think at times that if this was how it was going to be, I wish I had just been washed away and died in that tsunami. I don't know what I'm supposed to do from now on. But today, I got a massage and these chocolates with a message, which I'm so glad for. I feel a lot better. Thank you. (78 year old woman)

- Everyone here at this housing complex donated their money to the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines. In times of need, we have to help each other out. I think that the people who sent us these chocolates also had the same feelings, so I can honestly feel nothing but grateful. (man in his 70's)

Kazuo ITO, Sendai Office
Kazuo ITO worked in AAR's Sendai office from August 2013 to April 2014.

Offering vocational training to more than 1,200 PWDs for 15 years

In Myanmar, the superstition still persists among people that PWDs were born the way they were because they were sinful in their former lives. In Burmese, the official language of Myanmar, being handicapped has a connotation of “being unable to do anything”, and people tend to dismiss PWDs as unskilled. This explains why PWDs generally have no choice but to be dependent on their family members. As a matter of fact, family members have little or no interest on how to educate PWDs. In addition to these social and cultural factors in Myanmar, the limited number of social workers and limited budget has resulted in fewer opportunities for PWDs to get involved in their community.

The first batch of graduates singing and dancing at the graduation ceremony. The representative of the class said, “We would like to make the most of the skills we acquired in this school and contribute to the welfare of PWDs in our community.” (April 9th, 2014)

Given the situation, AAR Japan started to operate a vocational training center in Yangon in 1999 in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. Up until May 2014, more than 1,200 PWDs have graduated from the three courses offered in the center: Hairdressing, Dressmaking and Information Technology. The employment rate upon completion of the courses was 95% for Hairdressing, 90% for Sewing and 42% for IT.

In the Dressmaking course, age of the students ranges from 18 to 40. (May 30th, 2014)

“This is what we made!” - the staff and the trainees at a shop annexed in the training school proudly smile, holding their works.

Successful Graduates

The trainees from all over Myanmar become boarders and go through three and a half months of training, after which they can become financially independent in their hometowns. Approximately 80% of graduates have successfully been offered a job or have started their own businesses. Here are a few examples.

Tin Tin Aye　　“I’m happy that I can support my family.”

Tin, 27 years old, graduated from the Sewing course in 2011. A native of Eyawadi, she is handicapped in her right leg due to polio she suffered from the age of three. She learned about the AAR training school from her friends and enrolled. After three and a half months of hard training, she acquired excellent skills. In the following 8 months, she studied store management designed for graduates, after which she joined her family who had moved to Yangon and started her own shop as a dressmaker. It’s been three years since then. While getting orders for custom-made clothing, she gives classes to girls interested in dressmaking. “I’m very happy that I can support my family now,” she said.

Ms. Tin Tin Aye, who started her own tailor shop in her house (March 8th, 2014)

Wai Lin Maung　　Starting her own business with handicapped partners

Wai, 27 years old, is handicapped in her left leg due to polio. After studying in the Hairdressing course, she started her own barber shop in Dara with her handicapped partners. Her partners are in charge of management and financial matters while getting their local neighbors to have a better understanding of PWDs. In the future, they are planning to donate school supplies to handicapped children in the area with the profits of her shop, thus contributing to the welfare of local PWDs. Such activities has proved to be a good opportunity for PWDs to participate in their community and for the local people to learn more about PWDs.

Mr. Wai Lin Maung working as a hairdresser in a barber shop which he runs with his partners (August 13th, 2013)

Many of the trainees at the AAR Japan vocational training center hardly had any opportunities to go out and interact with others until they were enrolled at this training center. After acquiring social skills as well as technical skills, many of the graduates have started volunteer activities in various organizations for local PWDs. I feel that prejudice toward PWD is gradually disappearing,
thanks to the excellent service at the shops operated by the graduates nationwide as well as their involvement in local awareness campaigns.

Offering Job Opportunities to PWD

In Myanmar, a country of rapid economic growth, national and international businesses have been quite successful. Even so, not all PWDs are fortunate enough to be offered employment. AAR has been trying hard to improve this situation by giving the trainees an opportunity to visit a
company or to obtain an internship so that they can be employed in a company, factory or shop.

Ms. Zar Chi Wai、the valedictorian in the IT course in 2011 was first employed as a receptionist in a company and now is working as a clerk in the administrative branch of the government. “Those around me kept telling me that it is difficult for PWDs to find employment, but I believed in myself and got a job, thanks to the experiences in the AAR training center.

With the help of AAR, 30 out of the 127 trainees who graduated in 2013 are now working in a factory or a shop. This year, we have helped 14 graduates find employment – 1 from the Hairdressing course, 10 from the Dressmaking course and 3 from the IT course. We now have assigned one of our staff to
specialize in employment services, thus giving support to prospective workers with disabilities.
AAR is committed to support the trainees and the graduates who have the capacity to
work in various communities in Myanmar from now on.

I visited a garment factory with a student in Dressmaking course. This factory is located in the suburbs of Yangon, where 5 graduates have been employed since April, 2014.　(February 8th, 2014)

Students in IT course visited a shop selling computer-related merchandise to learn the demand on the market. (August 1st, 2013)

Namiko MOTOKAWA has been station in our office in Myanmar since May 2013. After majoring in Rural Development in a graduate school in the UK, she became an NGO staff and supported organic farming in India. She then joined JOCV (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers) in Nepal, after which she joined AAR. “I am grateful that I can work with the people in Myanmar, who are sincere, hardworking and polite,” she says.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, AAR has provided renovation assistance to some 80 welfare facilities which were damaged from the tsunami and earthquake so that persons with disabilities and the elderly would not be left behind in the wave of reconstruction. Although the wages for people working at such facilities were already as low as some 12,000JPY per month before the Earthquake, it has got even lower after the Earthquake, due to the sharp decrease in demand from companies selling their products. In order to address this situation, AAR, in cooperation with the global consulting firm Accenture, has engaged in activities since October 2012 which aim to provide fresh jobs to persons with disabilities working at these welfare facilities and also make their wages higher than the pre-Earthquake level. Ayana KISHIDA from Sendai Office reports.

19,286 people visited Interior Lifestyle Tokyo. Many came to the equalto product booth. (November 7, 2013)

"equalto" - a new brand emerged from welfare facilities

From January to February 2013, AAR and Accenture together called for entries of appealing product designs which welfare facilities are able to produce and are also cosy for the users (“Art Craft Design Award"). From the 382 entries from people all over Japan who wished to support the work of persons with disabilities in the Northeastern area, five were selected after assessment by prominent designers. Four welfare facilities in Miyagi Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture were chosen as the bases for commercialization of these products. Although these facilities have so far produced accessories, T-shirts, woodwork, and leatherwork, as for producing these 5 products, we requested corporation from h concept Ltd which took part in the design assessment process. Through consultations with h concept, which plans, designs and sells various unique miscellaneous goods, on the appropriate manufacturing process and utilizing their know-how, AAR has succeeded in developing a working environment suitable for making new products at the welfare facilities. It has also improved manufacturing process in such a way that persons with disabilities can easily deal with a large amount of order inflows.

Mr. Akira MOURI, who is staff of social welfare corporation Madoka, is supporting the production of Braille T-shirts (Upper Right) and Red-Lined T-shirts (Lower Right). He told us that “Even one T-shirt involves many people through its manufacturing processes. Making T-shirts is a high wage job, so we would like to have more orders".

Ryokusenkai Pal Izumi, a social welfare corporation in Miyagi Prefecture, came to produce hand-stitched accessories (See photo below). Their job instructor Ms. Miki MIZUOCHI told us enthusiastically that “AAR staff came to visit us many times and adjusted the schedule in accordance with our progresses. We were able to incorporate a business approach to our own manufacturing process. Learning about distribution system was very inspiring." Nine months after the Award, five products were created under the stylish brand named “equalto", with h concept being their sales counterparts.

Ryokusenkai Pal Izumi, a social welfare corporation in Miyagi Prefecture, produces accessories according to each individual sewer's creativity. "I wake up in the morning, then think of how I would stitch today" a user of the corporation said.

Encouraged by visitors' reaction

These products were exhibited at Interior Lifestyle Tokyo, where manufactures had an opportunity to negotiate a deal directly with potential sellers, including department stores and retailers. It was held at the Tokyo Big Sight on November 6 – 8, 2013. Staff from the welfare facilities explained their products, and were delightfully surprised at how well-received their products were. Ms. Nobuko SEYA is a Director of “Ganbaro Kai Dandelion", an NPO located in Fukushima Prefecture which placed pen stands made from leather at the exhibit. She told us with confidence that “Before, we only made what we wanted to make. Now, (cooperating with AAR and other companies) we make what consumers want to buy".

Ganbaro Dandelion, an NPO in Fukushima Prefecture, where the users produce pen stands using leather (Lower Right). “Currently it takes 3-4 days to make ten of them. I want to double the speed as I get used to it," one of the users said.

"Ichijuen", a social welfare cooperation which is located in Miyagi Prefecture, received orders of 400 coin banks by the end of January. Its Director, Mr. Yoshihisa MUNAKATA was determined and said “We are pretty busy, but would definitely deliver the products on time so that we could have next orders". The continuous orders will bring jobs for persons with disabilities working at welfare facilities and consequently raise their wages to a large extent. Your support for equalto is greatly appreciated.

“When displayed in the exhibit, they looked so marvelous that I couldn't believe they were the same things I had always seen in our studio" said Director Yoshihisa MUNAKATA of Ichijuen, a social welfare corporation in Miyagi Prefecture, producing coin banks made from woods and papers (Right).

Website of "equalto"

Reported by: Ayana KISHIDA, Representative of Sendai Office
Ms. KISHIDA had worked at Sendai Office since July 2012 and was engaged in projects of supporting the areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake. “Every disaster victim has his or her own needs and is at the different stage of reconstruction. I will try to provide necessary support that satisfy each person's need, by having careful conversation with them." Originally from Yamagata Prefecture.

As of April 30th, 34,000 people have fled South Sudan amid ongoing warfare and arrived at Kakuma Refugee Camp in the neighboring nation of Kenya. AAR is now providing support for the children in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Ryo KAKUTANI of AAR South Sudan Office reports.

Desks have finally arrived! The children were anxious to start school and helped us carry the desks to the classroom tents. (Far center: Ryo KAKUTANI, May 4th 2014)

In response to the children's pleas of "We want to go to school"

More than half the people who have escaped from South Sudan to Kakuma Refugee Camp are school-age children. A number of those children had left their parents and managed to come to the camp by themselves. The camp, however, seriously lacked school facilities to host the rapidly growing number of children. Aiming to provide an opportunity for the children to study, AAR installed 40 black boards and 30 tents strong enough to withstand harsh winds and sandstorms. We are planning to complete the installation of 500 desk and chair sets in total by the end of May.

Kakuma Refugee Camp was established in 1992, and houses approximately 140,000 refugees from neighboring countries today. There are schools for the children who cannot return to their native countries, but they are not enough. Moreover, until recently there were no schools in the newly-created sector where many of the refugees from South Sudan reside. Thanks to the aid from a global NGO, the Luther World Federation, one school finally opened on February 3rd. This new school provided a place to study for approximately 1,700 children, but more schools are required to accommodate the increasing number of children.

The Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya

The classroom tent supplied by AAR. Inside we installed new desks, chairs and blackboards. (May 9th 2014)

A student representative gave a speech at the school's handover ceremony. "A round of applause to AAR for building our school!" We received a big round of applause. (Front left: Ryo KAKUTANI, AAR May 9th 2014)

Save the children from tetanus! We are handing out 3,500 pairs of sandals.

Many of the evacuees from South Sudan do not even possess the minimum essentials. Above all, there is a severe shortage of clothing and footwear. In Kakuma, violent sand storms rage often and the temperature rises to over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day. Even in such severe conditions, these evacuees have no choice but to wear the same clothes with no footwear, leaving themselves vulnerable to skin diseases and tetanus. Aiming to improve this situation, on April 15th AAR started to hand out sandals to underage children who are not accompanied by their parents. We are scheduled to hand out 3,500 pairs of sandals by the end of May.

Which sandal fits me? Naoki UMEDA helps a child with sandal fitting. (February 15th, 2014)

*This program has been made possible through your generous donations and grants from Japan Platform (JPF).

Ryo KAKUTANI AAR South Sudan Office
After graduating from university, he worked for two and a half years as a representative at an overseas agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He worked at the AAR Tajikistan Office from November 2007 to March 2010. He is currently at AAR's South Sudan Kapoeda Office. He is from Hyogo Prefecture.
*Reporter profile as of the date of this article.

Myanmar (Burma) is said to be one of the world's most heavily mine-contaminated countries.
In Karen state, which is in a particularly serious situation, Association for Aid and Relief Japan (AAR Japan) opened its office in Hpa-An, the state capital, in July 2013. Since then, we have been providing support for mine victims and developing teaching materials for landmine risk education.
This report is provided to you by Yoshio NAKAGAWA, from our Hpa-An office.

We have paved roads and reconstructed water tanks in Thit Sar Aye Myaing village in Karen state, Myanmar, where many landmine victims live. At the completion ceremony, residents celebrated in colorful ethnic costumes. Yumiko KAKUDA, one of our staff members, is pictured second from the left in the front row. (April 27, 2014)

Little action has been taken to stop the serious damage being caused

In Myanmar (Burma), many landmines were laid during the long-term conflicts involving ethnic minorities demanding their independence/self-governance, or in religious confrontations. Most of these landmines have not been removed. During the 14 years from 1999 to 2012, the number of total reported casualties has reached 3,349. However, the actual number of casualties is believed to be much higher than that.

Karen state, in which AAR Japan is conducting its activities, is the most seriously mine-affected area in Myanmar. In 2012, 106 landmine casualties were reported, and more than half of these occurred in Karen state. The state suffers serious damages and injuries, however, little action has been taken to stop this. Mine risk education and assistance have been provided to victims in other states in Myanmar, but few in Karen state have received any kind of help. AAR Japan started its assistance activities in Thit Sar Aye Myaing village (where the population is about 1,500) in Karen state, where 94 landmine victims live.

A large, deep ditch cuts off the main road of Thit Sar Aye Myaing village, Karen state. Residents are forced to cross to the other side by using a log. (December 2013)

A water tank that supplies water to the village for domestic use. It is exposed to rain and its surroundings are wasteland, posing danger to the residents. (December 2013)

Improving the living environment for victims in the village

In Thit Sar Aye Myaing village, roads and water supply facilities have not been developed. This causes great inconvenience to people, especially those with mobility or visual impairments, including landmine victims.

The main road running through the center of the village was unpaved and countless stones and rocks of all sizes were scattered all over the surface. In addition, heavy rain during the rainy season had created a ditch 2 meters wide and more than 1 meter deep. Residents had placed a thin log across the ditch, using it as a bridge, but it was very dangerous not only for persons with disabilities, but also for children.

Residents fetch water for cooking, washing clothes, and bathing from 29 water tanks in the village. However, there were no roofs over these tanks, and stones and rocks were lying around them. These conditions made the areas unsanitary and dangerous. Because there had been a shortage of tanks in relation to the number of households, people could not bathe enough and were prone to skin diseases or infectious diseases.

In response, AAR Japan repaired/installed water tanks, paved the main road, and built bridges, all of which the residents had desperately needed.

Most of the landmine victims use crutches or prosthetics.

We paved the main road with concrete and constructed a bridge. (March 2014)

We built a roof over the water tanks, and renovated the surrounding areas. The tanks can now be safely accessed by the residents, including persons with disabilities. (March 2014)

In addition to paving the main road, which is about 900 meters long, with concrete, we have built bridges over 3 ditches, where only logs were placed before. We have built roofs and fixed handrails to the 32 newly repaired/installed water tanks, and removed the stones and rocks around them. A suitable environment for children and persons with disabilities to walk around in the village and to get water safely has been achieved. AAR Japan also established a Water Management Committee, spearheaded by the residents themselves, to manage and maintain the improved water tanks.

"What can we do to keep the water tanks clean?" A question asked during a discussion among the Water Management Committee. Landmine victims, who tend to have to spend their entire day at home, have now become members of the committee and actively take part in the talks. (February 14, 2014)

Many words of thanks came in at the completion ceremony

At the completion ceremony held on April 27, 2014, the State Minister of Karen state, the managing staff of the related state bureau, and many residents were in attendance. U Zaw Min, the State Minister, encouraged the residents by saying: “Thanks to AAR Japan's support, Thit Sar Aye Myaing village has become easier even for landmine victims to live. I would like for all of you to make use of your abilities in your work, regardless of your disabilities." The residents said: “Thanks to the roofs over the water tanks, the water is now much cleaner than before. Now we can bathe and wash clothes comfortably. Thank you."

"The road is now paved, and the bridges are new. It has become easier especially for persons with walking disabilities and children to get around. Many people used to fall over on the road before. As the rainy season is soon coming, we appreciate that we can now walk safely." Many more words of appreciation came in.

The Karen State Minister gives encouraging words to landmine victims. (April 27, 2014)

We will improve the sanitary environment

We are currently planning to renovate public lavatories, of which there are not enough in Thit Sar Aye Myaing village, and repair waterworks to improve sanitation. We aim to provide a friendly living environment for everyone, with or without disabilities, by installing barrier-free design in these public lavatories.

In Karen state, a peace process between ethnic minority groups and the government has been progressing. However, there is a possibility that conflicts could break out again. Because of the unsafe situation and political uncertainty, AAR Japan's area of activity and assistance has to be limited. But even in these circumstances, we will conduct activities to provide the necessary support, taking a neutral position in politics.

Our village has become a much better place to live in. Thank you.

"Seventeen years ago, when I was 29, I happened to step on a landmine in Kwin village, Karen state. I have lost my left leg below the knee. I have lived in Thit Sar Aye Myaing village with my wife and five children since 2012. I am thankful that our village has been gradually improved and it has become a much better place to live in. As I became a member of the Water Management Committee, I want to tell children and the younger generation of the importance of clear water and keeping it clean. Also, I want to pass down to the younger generation my experience as a landmine victim and the horrors of landmines."

Yuichiro YAMAMOTO from AAR Japan's Tokyo office (left) and Saw Yoshu from our Hpa-An office listen to U Kyi Aye's (center) story. (April 10, 2014)

Reported by: Yoshio Nakagawa: Hpa-An office, Myanmar
After graduating from university, Yoshio worked for the Japanese Red Cross Society for about five years. Following that he joined AAR, hoping to work at a site of international cooperation. From March 2011 through to September 2013, Yoshio lived and worked in Tadzhikistan, and has been working at Hpa-An office, Myanmar, since October 2013.“I want to do the best I can do now using my experience and what I'm learning every day." He likes jogging and is originally from Kanagawa.

From February to November in 2013, AAR Japan drilled wells and installed water supply equipment in five villages in Garissa County in the North Eastern Province of Kenya to allow villagers that had been affected by recurrent drought to obtain access to clean water. These efforts have lightened the burden on women and children fetching drinking water and has enabled some 5,200 villagers to live a life free from water deficiency even during the dry season. AAR Japan also formed Water Users’ Associations in each village and presented a workshop on sustainability to the villagers. Through the workshop, participants learnt how to use the installed water supply equipment properly, how to perform basic repairs, the collection of service fees from users to be used in the case of equipment failure, and the importance of keeping the equipment clean. Six months after the water supply equipment was installed, we visited the same villages to see how the villagers had been managing their facilities.

In Quabobey village, six months after the construction of the new well, the water users’ association continues to follow the management method promoted by AAR Japan’s workshop. AAR Japan resident staff member, Mr. Shin Suzuki, enjoys a photo with the villagers benefiting from the new well. (front row far left, May 19th, 2014).

We used to spend many hours fetching water necessary for daily life

The Tana River, Kenya’s longest river, is a primary source of water for many villages in Garissa County. However, the Tana River often floods during the rainy season and consequently most villages were settled approximately 2-3 kilometers away from the river. Among those villages, fetching water is considered a task of the women and children and can take up to several hours per day. An adult woman will carry approximately 20 kilograms of water each time she fetches water from the river.

Mr. Daigo Takagi checking that the water supply equipment installed by AAR Japan is functioning properly. (Quabobey village, Dec 2nd, 2013).

AAR Japan built wells in five villages in Garissa County, each having the dual effect of reducing the burden of having to retrieve water from the river and providing the villagers with secure access to safe water.

"Before, I used to walk 3kms to the river to fetch water twice a day, every morning and evening. Now we have the well, and my task has become much easier. Besides, well-water tastes better than river-water.” Ms. Rukia Hante (pictured left).

Villagers’ ingenuity “not to waste even a drop of water”

We periodically visit the villages where we built the wells to see, amongst other things, if the water supply facilities are being well managed and if the water users’ association is functioning well. On 19 May this year, we visited Quabobey village and were amazed by the ingenuity of the villagers. We were pleased to find that, based on the systems they learnt from AAR’s workshop, the association has been collecting and saving the service fees from users and allotting it for the repair of faucets and the stockade as needed. Another inspiring discovery was the initiative of the association to establish and cultivate a vegetable field around the well in order to not waste any water spilt whilst drawing. The spilt water is used in the vegetable field to grow vegetables that are sold at the market and all profits are allocated and kept for future repair works.

A workshop for the water users’ association of Ture village, organized by AAR officer. (July 3rd, 2013).

Vegetable fields cultivated around the new well in Quabobey village utilizing spilled water for irrigation. (May 3rd, 2014).

On the same day, we visited Rahma village and found that the local water users’ association had installed a self-made fence of shrubs around the facility. As nomads occupy a large proportion of the population in this area, keeping cows, goats, sheep and camels as livestock, prior to the construction of the fence, intrusion by livestock resulting in equipment failure and water pollution was common. We found that other villages had also constructed similar fences around their facilities to secure the safe water supply from similar hazards.

Hygiene education reduces the risks of infectious disease

In addition to installing vital water supply equipment, such as wells, AAR Japan is working on installing toilets and providing hygiene education to rural villages in Garissa County of Kenya. We provide knowledge of hygiene and educate the villagers in basic hygienic practices, such as pre-meal and post-excretion hand washing, to reduce the risks of infectious disease being contracted and spreading.

※This program was supported by a grant from Japan Platform (JPF), in addition to your kind donations. Since January 2014, we have been conducting our activity with the support of Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects founded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Reporter (as of the date of the article) Mr. Shin SUZUKI, AAR Kenya resident staff. Mr. Suzuki worked in the AAR Japan Kabul office from 2005 to 2007. After working in the private sector, Mr. Suzuki returned to AAR Japan on Mar 2014 and has since been placed in Kenya. Mr. Suzuki is originally from Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Three staff attended Maputo Summit: (from right) Bashir BAASER from Afghanistan Office, Harumi KAWAGOE from Sudan Office, and Masumi HONDA from Tokyo Office (June 23, 2014)

From June 23 - 27, 2014, the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (the Ottawa Treaty) Third Review Conference was held in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique (Maputo Summit). AAR Japan sent three representatives as members of the ICBL (International Campaign to Ban Landmines) to the conference.

The Ottawa Treaty bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines outright and requires the States Parties to destroy their stockpiles and clear buried mines. Since the treaty entered into force in 1999, 161 nations, including Japan, have ratified or signed the treaty as of July 2014. The review conference is held every five years to examine the results and progress of the matters provided in the treaty, as well as to adopt action plans for the next five years. Fifteen years after the treaty came into effect, the third review conference took place this year, following the previous two conferences in Nairobi and Cartagena.

AAR Japan sent staff who are involved in mine action: Bashir BAASER from Afghanistan Kabul Office, Harumi KAWAGOE from Sudan Khartoum Office, and Masumi HONDA from Tokyo Office. Government officials and observers including international NGO, civil society groups and mine victims all gathered, and the conference hall was filled with enthusiasm.

About the Host Country Mozambique

Mozambique, the host country of the recent conference was among the most affected by mines until recent years; a result of the War of Independence that lasted from the 1960s, and the civil war that started shortly after the country's independence in 1974. When the Mozambican government began its mine action in 1993, a profusion of mines had been buried across the nation; and it seemed as though a complete clearance was unachievable. Nonetheless, the country announced its plan to complete the mine clearance by the end of 2014, and it has become a model of successful mine action and now gives hopes to other nations with severe mine problems.

"Mine-Free World" By 2025!

Photo taken at the review conference (June 23, 2014)

During the Maputo Summit, the ICBL proposed to the States Parties the goal of completing treaty obligations within 10 years, including stockpile destruction, mine clearance, and victim assistance, as well as reducing the number of new mine victims to zero by 2025. In line with this, the Maputo Declaration adopted in the conference included the target deadline of completing the treaty by 2025, as proposed by the ICBL. By signing the Maputo Declaration, the States Parties and participants including UN organizations reaffirmed their commitment to complete the obligations.

Photo taken with Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hirotaka ISHIHARA (second from the right). Mr. ISHIHARA made a statement as the Japanese delegation and signed the Maputo Declaration. From the right, Harumi, Mr. Toshihiro SHIMIZU from JCBL, and Masumi (June 26, 2014)

Many of the nations suffering severe mine contamination are also developing nations facing harsh economic conditions. Mine action strategies, including mine clearance and victim assistance, require a lengthy time-frame, substantial resources and manpower. The key to success is gaining the cooperation of the international community, including advanced nations with no mine contamination. Having ratified the Ottawa Treaty in 1998, Japan has no current mine contamination and has completed the destruction of its stockpiles, except for those used for research and training purposes. Nevertheless, the country contributes a large amount of funds and technology to a number of projects to address mine problems in other countries.

Oman Announces Intention to Become the 162nd State Party; the United States Expresses Intention to Join

Since the second review conference in Cartagena, five countries have joined the Ottawa Treaty, and 28 countries have completed the destruction of anti-personnel mines in mined areas as required by the treaty. During the Maputo Summit, Oman announced its plan to join the treaty in July this year and was welcomed as the 162nd State Party. Meanwhile, 36 countries, including the United States and China, remain as States not Party, many of which are Asian countries. The United States has been criticized by the international community for retaining the right to use mines while being the largest source of mine action funds. The country attended the Maputo Summit as an observer and expressed its intention to join the treaty, although no clear timeline was set forth, and also announced that it would abstain from producing anti-personnel mines.

AAR Makes Statements on Gender and Mine Risk Education

Harumi and Bashir gave a presentation at a side event (June 25, 2014)

During the side event held by AAR Japan on the third day of the conference, the presenters discussed the gender perspective of its mine risk education in Sudan and Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, female adults are not permitted to participate in training sessions with male trainers. Therefore, AAR has formed a new mine risk education team with two female trainers. Since the leaders of the target communities are male, however, in an effort to adapt to Afghanistan’s gender norms, AAR Japan sends male staff to negotiate with the male leaders and to arrange for the training sessions.

In some conservative regions in Sudan, residential areas for men and women are completely separated, allowing only female trainers to visit some villages for women. AAR Japan has been able to gain the trust of the women in these villages thanks to the female staff who fully respect the local culture and customs. AAR Japan also remarked that when women who did not have access to education before due to gender restrictions receive mine risk education, they learn that they too have the right to gain information to protect their lives and those of their families, helping them improve their lives in the future.

While the achievements of the past 15 years were recognized, a number of continuing issues were highlighted in the Maputo Summit, including the existence of States not Party, cases of new use of landmine, and missed deadlines for stockpile destruction. Hoping that the State Parties will focus on mine action further in line with the action plan and declaration adopted in the Maputo Summit, AAR will continue its efforts in mine-affected areas.

Masumi HONDA from AAR Japan’s Tokyo Office.
Masumi has worked at AAR Japan's Tokyo Office since September 2011.
She mainly works on Sudan projects. After graduating from US university with a degree in cultural anthropology, she worked in the private sector, and then joined AAR. She is from Tokyo.

The typhoon Yolanda (typhoon No.30 of 2013 in Japanese numbering) struck the Philippines on November 11, 2013. AAR Japan dispatched an emergency support team to the devastated area and has since been engaged in supporting activities.

Distributing house repair materials to 2,224 households

In the Philippines, 1.14 million houses were either completely or partially destroyed by the typhoon Yolanda. Victims were covering blown off roofs with plastic sheets or erecting tents to take shelter near their destroyed homes, and forced to live difficult lives. Since December, 2013, AAR Japan prepared sets of repair materials for housing such as tin plates and nails, and distributed them to suffering families – especially those having persons with disabilities – amounting to a total of 2,224 households (approximately 11,000 people).

“Thanks a lot to the AAR support. We shall share the learned techniques with the local people,” say the carpenters who participated in the training course for constructing disaster-resistant houses, standing side-by-side with Mr. Yuta Funakoshi of AAR (right). (April 30, 2014)

Learning house construction through lectures and practices

In the Philippines, many carpenters are undertrained, or even self-taught, and yet actually build and repair houses. Furthermore, people who cannot afford to hire professional carpenters have no choice but to repair their houses by themselves. AAR Japan therefore initiated not only the distribution of housing repair materials, but also organizing training courses for both carpenters and local people. These courses include lectures on the structure of disaster-resistant housing and practical training through the use of miniatures on techniques for reinforcing homes. The first training course was attended by a total of 40 carpenters from two villages north of Tacloban City, and at the second course those same carpenters taught the local community without charge.

The carpenters learn the structure of disaster-resistant housing from the construction engineer. ( April 30, 2014. Tacloban City)

The learned reinforcement technique to avoid house collapse is confirmed with use of a miniature, and applied afterward to actual construction works. ( May 19, 2014. Tacloban City)

“I shall rebuild my house on my own.”

Mr. Richard Binko at Santo Nino Village in Tacloban City had his house completely destroyed by the typhoon. Nevertheless, he is determined to rebuild his house, using the repair materials delivered by AAR and applying the knowledge obtained through the AAR training course. “As I cannot afford to employ carpenters, I will build the house by myself. Because of the training course, I am now confident to build a safer and stronger house,” said Mr. Binko.

Mr. Richard Binko stands in front of the ruins of his house that was completely destroyed by the typhoon. (June 19, 2014)

AAR Japan will continue distributing repair materials for housing and organizing training courses for the many people whom the assistance has yet to reach.

These activities are being carried out thanks to the generous donations of our supporters such as yourself and the support of the Japan Platform (JPF).

Yuta FUNAKOSHI, AAR Japan the Philippines Office (profile as of the date of the article)
Mr. FUNAKOSHI was posted at AAR Japan the Philippines Office from January to July, 2014. After graduating from a university, he worked for an insurance company for five years. Having studied conflict resolution at a graduate school in the United Kingdom, he joined AAR Japan. He says that he was encouraged in the Philippines by the local people uttering, “Yuta, thank you for the construction materials! Come and visit my newly completed house!” Mr. Funakoshi is from Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

Since 1999, AAR Japan has been engaging in a variety of activities to increase opportunities of social participation for persons with disabilities (PWDs)in Myanmar,for example,through vocational guidance as well as educational and employment support. AAR Japan has supported efforts led by the PWDs to deepen local people’s understanding of “disabilities” through the “Community Based Rehabilitation” approach in the suburb of Yangon since 2009. Resident staff Akemi KITA reports how the behaviors and mindsets of the local people have changed during the 5 years that AAR Japan has provided assistance to PWDs.

International staff Akemi KITA (right), listening to the conversations in a printing shop established by a PWDs group.

Changing the Community by Combining Individual's Power

Dala and Shwe Pyi Thar Townships in the suburb of Yangon, where AAR Japan is carrying out its activities, are both inhabited by many day laborers and people with economic constraints. The roads in the residential areas are unpaved and the steps in the public buses are high, posing barriers to PWDs. In addition to financial problems including issues such as the inability to pay for school tuition and supplies, the majority of PWDs are isolated at home due to the deeply rooted prejudice that they should be cared for all day by their family members or that they are not suitable to go to school.

To improve such situation, it is necessary for PWDs, their families, and the local community members to understand that anyone,disabled or not, should be given the opportunity to participate in society. In line with this, the development of barrier-free facilities and infrastructure are essential to improve the environment for PWDs.

In response, AAR Japan began its activities to raise awareness of local PWDs among stakeholders from the district administration and the education sector. First, groups of about ten people were created, mainly gathering PWDs and their family members. AAR Japan then held workshops to discuss PWDs’ rights to education and social participation and the merits of group over individual mobilization. Later, AAR Japan took part in regular group meetings to advise members on how to independently plan and organize various events to promote greater interaction with the local community. In addition, AAR Japan organized training in management and accounting for PWDs so that they can operate small-scale businesses, and provided initial start-up capital if needed. As a result, AAR Japan was able to demonstrate to the local community that PWDs are fit to work while creating work opportunities for PWDs.

AAR Japan has so far established 18 groups, consisting of 220 PWDs and their family members. Six groups have started new businesses including hair styling, tailoring, and typing/printing shops, among others.

At the beginning of the group meetings, AAR Japan staffs conduct ice breakers to facilitate the members to easily state their opinions. (February 25th,2013, Dala Township)

AAR Japan staff members participate in meetings held once a month and give advice on administrative skills such as taking minutes and bookkeeping. Pictured second from the left is Akemi KITA, international staff member (July 17th, 2014, Shwe Pyi Thar Township)

The Roles PWDs Play in the Community

Members of “Latt Twae Phaw”engaging in clean-up activities at school. The activity provides work opportunities for PWDs. (September 30th, 2013)

Activities of the PWD groups have been changing the local peoples’ and the teachers’ understanding of the meaning of “disability”. “Latt Twae Phaw” (translated as“helping each other as partners”) is one of the groups established by AAR Japan in 2012 in Dala Township. It is comprised of 12 members, mainly including mothers of children with severe cases of cerebral palsy, along with PWDs, their family members, and persons with visual impairments.

Following the establishment of Latt Twae Phaw, the group conducted clean-up activities in the neighborhood and schools in order to create opportunities for the group members and local residents to interact, and to raise awareness about PWDs. Working once every three months, the group’s activities encouraged schools that had previously never accepted children with disabilities, a total of six times. By regularly mowing grass and cleaning schools, the amount of conversation and interaction between the group members and the teachers has increased. In these conversations,the members also shared their thoughts to their counterparts including the following comments:“I thought that nothing could be done with children with disabilities not being able to go to school. However, having learned about “disability”, I found out that if each individual’s disability is properly considered, the child is able to get an education at school.”“I want there to be an environment in which PWDs are able to receive education as well.”

As a result, schools that previously were unaware of the need to educate children with disabilities actively had teachers participate in training sessions, in which they learned about disabilities as well as teaching methods for children with disabilities. These efforts resulted in schools arranging learning environments that enabled children with disabilities to study. Since June 2013, one child with disability has enrolled in public education.

Furthermore, the group’s handmade soaps sold for fundraising have gained a positive reputation among residents. The customers have inquired, “How did you make it?” and commented that “the soaps are really useful”, thus, leading to a wider interaction between the group and the local people. In August 2014, the members of Latt Twae Phaw will open a small grocery store with the support of AAR Japan.

We have also received positive reports from members of other groups,informing that their groups’ actions have changed the mindsets and behaviors of local people. “Local people have been willing to participate in field trips with PWDs, who usually have few chances to go out, and help them to see new places.When workshops and events are held, district leaders come to help call out for local people to participate.”

Members of Latt Twae Phaw learning how to make liquid soap. (May 14th, 2014)

A Place to Encourage and Stimulate

The existence of the group provides PWDs and their families a place to share their worries and encourage each other. One of the members, Moe Moe Khine (22 years old), who has a disability in both her legs, commented that she sometimes become negative and depressed about her disabilities, but feels better after confessing and discussing her worries with fellow members.

Initially for some PWDs, their limited academic education and exposure to people outside their families resulted in poor cooperation in group activities. However, most of them gradually got used to cooperating, and some were able to lead their groups and turn their members’ ideas into concrete outputs. AAR Japan will continue its assistance in order to make PWD groups take root in communities and lead the change in local people’s behaviors and mindsets toward disabilities.

Members of Latt Twae Phaw finished mowing the lawn of a school yard. These activities provide opportunities for members to interact with the local people.

Akemi KITA, AAR Japan Yangon, Myanmar Office (profile as of the date of the article).
KITA, who previously was stationed at the Zambia Office, has been working at the Yangon Office in Myanmar since February 2012. After working in a hospital as a clinical technologist, she studied public health in Canada and Thailand. KITA joined AAR Japan after returning to Japan. She originally comes from Nagasaki.

AAR Japan hosted the "Nishi-Aizu Kids Wonderland Academy" for children and their guardians from the Hamadori area in Fukushima who have not been able to play outside due to the high level of radiation. Starting from July 2011, this overnight camp event has aimed to provide the participating children and their parents with an opportunity to play outside, give them a chance to release stress and allow them to have fun, physical exercise. Junko MATSUURA from Tokyo office provided a report from the 8th camp held from November 2-3, 2013.

Day One: Tons of fun events. "Soon we became friends"

In addition to the children and their families coming from the City of Soma in Fukushima, we also invited participation from local children from the town of Nishi-Aizu to interact with them. The two-day event was attended by 12 families – 35 children and their parents in total – and filled with smiles and joys.

The first day started with a delicious soba noodle lunch served by Mr. KIMURA, a local soba master. Then the party was joined by the children from Nishi-Aizu town and together they visited a local farm to enjoy the main event of the day: shiitake mushrooms picking. They enjoyed eating char-grilled fresh-picked shiitake mushrooms at the farm. It was clear that the children had a wonderful time as we heard them shout "Yummy!" and "I've never seen such a big mushroom!", while the grown-ups wished they could enjoy beer along with their meal.

The children initially seemed to be nervous, but it didn't take long for them to open up as if they had known each other for a long time. They enjoyed BBQ dinner prepared by all the participants as well as the fireworks and hot spring bathing that followed. The children were full of energy right up until the end of the day.

Thanks to the cooperation of the "Gonei Farm", the party picked shiitake mushrooms. Children were fascinated with the new experience. The Farm adopted strict countermeasures to radiation (November 2nd, 2013)

The Town of Nishi-Aizu is rich in nature. They played a lot on the swing and in a tree house. (November 2nd, 2013)

BBQ followed by fireworks. Older kids willingly set off a firework for smaller ones. (November 2nd, 2013)

Day Two: Kids fascinated with a surprising treasure hunting game

The second day started with breakfast preparation by all the participants. Though worn out from a full first day, the children were still full of energy which made their parents surprised. As breakfast was coming to an end, AAR staff member ASANO suddenly ordered them with humor to go to the hill behind to get the eggs he laid just now, officially kicking off the treasure hunt. After a quick cleaning up, the children rushed to the hill with enthusiasm as they heard "Ready, Set, Go!!"

Children looked through the grass and roots of trees in search of eggs. The eight eggs, which had been hidden in the early morning by the staff, were soon found. There were a lot of heartwarming moments observed throughout the hunt; a small child digging up the ground with leaves, murmuring "this may be a good place to lay an egg", and an older kid giving an egg he found to a younger one. Those who found gold-, silver- or bronze-colored egg received a small gift of each color.

Later on in the day, the party tried a leaf weaving activity (which used leaves instead of yarns) at the International Art Village which was once used as an elementary school. Children worked diligently and they each got to make their own coaster.

An egg used for treasure hunting. Gold-, silver- or bronze-colored eggs were hidden. (November 3rd, 2013)

"I found it!"– a girl found a gold-colored egg. (November 3rd, 2013)

Even those who played energetically outside settled down to concentrated on craft making. (November 3, 2013)

"Glad to see my kid enjoying herself to the fullest"

A mother of a 10-year-old told me that "I was glad that my kid, who has not had a chance to make friends since the move after the earthquake, was able to enjoy herself to the fullest. I also benefit from exchanging information with the people who are in a similar situation so we participate in this camp every year." Her child, who did not have enough time to go to school because of the frequent hospitalization, always looked forward to participating the camp. This time, only two days after being discharged from hospital, they decided to join because her child strongly insisted on doing so.

It was the first time for me to visit the Northeastern part of Japan after the region was hit by the Earthquake. Before the camp I was worried; what can I do and say for kids who are living under tough circumstances? After playing together and laughing out loud with them, I found that my nervousness disappeared and I could just be myself around them. I really felt the amazing strength and resilience the children had: endless curiosity, finding joy in anything, and a kind heart which enables them to befriend others. The two-day camp also reminded me of the strength of mothers caring for their children.

Four volunteers from Kikkoman Corporation, which also provided us with food for the camp, kindly came to participate. Their energy and enthusiasm added to the children's experience through interacting while playing and making delicious minestrone soup (which was a hit with everyone). The local staff from its Commerce and Tourism Division of the Nishi-Aizu Town Hall also helped us for site arrangement. We sincerely appreciate everyone's cooperation.

"Say cheese!" a commemorative photo taken in front of Steam Locomotive the Banetsu Monogatari (meaning Tale of Banetsu). (November 3rd, 2013)

Junko MATSUURA, Tokyo office (reporter)
After graduating from university, Ms. Matsuura engaged in accounting, supporter management and international operations at an NGO with projects in the area of international cooperation and human rights protection. She joined the AAR team in July 2013. Originally from Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

On August 20, 2014, AAR Japan hosted a summer event for primary school kids under the title "Different for sure, but we are all just the same; let's think over disabilities and international cooperation," at 3331 Arts Chiyoda of Chiyoda Ward in Tokyo. We held this event one time each in the morning and in the afternoon, and primary school pupils as well as preschool kids with their parents (34 people in total) participated in it.

It is the main theme of this event how to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) in developing countries. The objective was to make children understand that disabilities are not weak points or defects but are a matter of individual difference, like appearances and personalities. Moreover, our ambition was to provide an opportunity for the children to think about the particularly severe living conditions of PWDs in developing countries and to think over what they themselves can do for them .

For this event, some students from Shoei Girls' Senior High School helped us plan, organize, provide on-the-spot preparations and moderate the event.

Minori TAKITA, an intern of AAR Japan, reports on the event.

Let's have a try at wheelchairs

It is beyond physical strength of a person in a wheelchair to cope with even small differences in level of the streets to which we usually pay little attention while walking.

As for downward slopes, we are supposed to move backward so that the person in a wheelchair will not
drop out of it. It is vital for us to keep speaking to a person in a wheelchair while moving down the slope lest he/she should feel scared.

Firstly, we let children try using wheelchairs and have a vicarious experience of how people in wheelchairs are feeling while they are moving around on the ordinary streets on which we are walking nonchalantly in everyday life. While some children having tried using wheelchairs said, "It is fun,""I've enjoyed it," others commented, "Even small level differences of the streets are difficult to cope with, aren't they?""If I have to keep living like this day after day, I suppose I will be exhausted."

Introducing Saroeun who has been attending school with a wheelchair in Cambodia

Secondly, as a model case of persons with disabilities in developing countries, we introduced to children Saroeun China (14) who is a boy living in Cambodia. At the age of 7, he had an accident, which caused him to be paralyzed from the waist down. He has been using a wheelchair ever since. He was unable to attend school for a long time after the accident, but since last year, he has been attending Prek Ta Mek Primary School which AAR Japan made barrier-free. With the help of his siblings and friends, he has been mingling with other pupils to study and play. We let children share the story of his present life through photos and video.

"In the school of Cambodia which Saroeun attends, pupils study subjects such as arithmetic and social studies just like in schools of Japan," said Satomi MUKAI, one of the staff members of AAR Japan in charge of Cambodia.

Next, we organized group work shops with the theme, "What kind of creative solutions can you think of to study and play with Saroeun if he would be transferred to your school?" Saroeun is a child from abroad with language and culture different from ours. Also, he has a disability using a wheelchair. Against this background, volunteers from the senior high school set up a few case situations, such as school commuting and lunch breaks, to which the children discussed what kind of solution and assistance they could provide to make school life more enjoyable to Saroeun.

While children were working in groups, we took the time for parents to get relevant information. Satomi MUKAI, one of the AAR Japan's staff members in charge of Cambodia, informed among others the harsh reality of persons with disabilities in developing countries and the universal trend on how to deal with the education to children with disabilities, and also introduced the parents to AAR's assistance projects.

"If we are not able to make ourselves understood with words, can we communicate using drawings and pictures?""It would be a lot of fun if Saroeun lets me have facts of Cambodia in exchange for my telling him things Japanese." The children kept imagining and discussing such issues as if Saroeun was someone close to them.

The theme is what we can do to lead a happy school life together with a friend with disabilities and different language and culture, which is not easy to handle, but senior high school students skillfully lead children to produce their ideas and organize their discussion.

This is the group of children who are discussing the school commuting case. "I suppose that buses will not be running in Saroeun's village, and but I wonder if he would commute by bus to school in Japan.""I have ever seen a slope which can be used for a person in a wheelchair when he/she gets on a bus!" said one of the children.

Children of different ages who had just come to know one each other willingly worked together to think about Saroeun.

A young kid also expressed her idea without being shy.

As overall review of this event, each group made a presentation of their own ideas. There popped out a variety of ideas one after another which will enable children to lead an enjoyable school life together while using differences to their mutual advantage. For example a young participant said, "when I handled a wheelchair by myself, I found it difficult and tough. If I happen to find a person in a wheelchair on long roads and over differences in level of the streets, I would like to push the wheelchair forward for him/her from his/her back,"/ Another participant declared that "I will show Saroeun how to use chopsticks at a lunch break. I would like Saroeun to let me know about Cambodian food." After the presentation, we had children write letters to Saroeun over candy sweets from Asian countries.

Finally, one of the AAR Japan's staff members said, "All of us are different from one another in various ways, but all of us share a common thing. What do you think it is?" Children present at the event instantly answered, "We are all humans!" Through having discussed things with senior high school students, they were able to think about this matter, which is a well-known fact but is immensely important.

We prepared sweets such as banana chips of the Philippines and lotus tea of Cambodia. Candies of durian, king of the fruits, might have a bit unusual scent to them, we wonder.

Traditional folk handicrafts of Cambodia were popular among children, being referred to as "cute." Goods of the AAR Japan's main character, Rabbit Sunny were also selling well.

Various comments of the children and their parents

Today, I tried moving around sitting in a wheelchair. I have been surprised to find that it is difficult for me in a wheelchair to move over differences in level of the streets which I usually cope with easily without paying any special attention. If I happen to see a person in a wheelchair in town, I would like to offer a helping hand to him/her especially when he/she is struggling in such a situation. (A sixth grader)

I have learned that a person in a wheelchair feels scared while moving down slopes. (A second grader)

I suppose that this has been a good opportunity for children to think clearly being in others’ shoes. (One of the parents)

What with physical activity and discussion in groups, I have found that this event is planned in a careful and thoughtful way that children can understand difficult things easily enough.
I am impressed. (One of the parents)

To all the participants who came a long way for this event in spite of scorching heat and also to the students from Shoei senior high school, we would like to extend our very warmest and sincerest appreciation.

With students from Shoei senior high school.
Thank you very much indeed for your great help!

Minori TAKITA, an intern in charge of PR at Tokyo Headquarters office
A freshman of a university. Has been an intern for two months since August 2014 under the program of "Global Internship" sponsored by Dot.J.P. (NPO).

Japanese-English translation by Ms Motoko KOMAI
English editing by Mr Allan RICHARDZ

The article on this page has been translated and edited by volunteers as part of the AAR Volunteer Programme. Their generous contributions allow us to spread our activities and ideas globally, through an ever-growing selection of our reports from the field.

Emergency Aid to Afghanistan

From April through May in 2014, torrential rains continued on and off to ravage 27 provinces and 123 districts in Afghanistan, setting off flooding and landslides. Throughout Afghanistan, as many as 125,000 people were affected by the disaster, and 14,440 houses were damaged or destroyed (Source: OCHA as of May 22).

Badakhshan Province is illustrated by the orange-painted area, and Argo District is the red dot on the map where AAR has recently provided emergency aid. The capital city, Kabul, is represented by a blue dot and is where the AAR office operates (Source: OCHA/ReliefWeb).

Between 20-27 May, Mr. Bashir Baaser and Sadeq Arianfar who work for AAR's Kabul office in Afghanistan visited the affected areas to assess the damage and determine what kind of emergency aid was needed. As a result, AAR decided to launch emergency operations at Argo District in Badakhshan province where the landslides caused significant damage.

Mr. Sadeq Arianfar and Bashir Baaser are surveying the post-landslide situation at the village of Ab Barik, Badakhshan province (May 2014）

Houses collapsed due to the landslide（May 2014）

The Japanese Foreign Ministry has told its citizens to evacuate from Afghanistan, and so AAR's Kabul office is now run by twenty-eight Afghan staff. Therefore, the latest emergency aid was implemented only by Afghan staff. Mr. Sadeq Arianfar has a story on his emergency aid activities on the ground.

"My mom and even my house got swallowed by a mudflow..."

Some 350 affected families are living in a makeshift tent camp set up near Ab Barik village.

Mr. Sadeq Arianfar (pictured left), a staff member at AAR Kabul office, is listening to an orphan girl (in the middle of the back row) who lost her mother (May of 2014).

Landslides, caused by torrential rains, ruined many houses in Argo District, Badakhshan province. Some 350 homeless families are living uneasy lives in a tent camp set up nearby.

I listened to a 14-year-old girl in the tent camp. She said, 'When the first landslide happened, I thought it was an earthquake. Mom immediately got me and my brothers out of my house, then back inside saying 'I'll carry stuff out of the house, don't wait for me, run for your life'. Shortly after she disappeared into the house, a huge landslide came and a mudflow took my house and Mom away. I'm now living with my married sister in her tent. We get sick at heart every time my baby brother cries out for his Mom.

Basic Necessities Delivered to 350 Families

AAR conducted a survey on what damage the landslide caused to the families and their urgent needs in cooperation with Afghan Women's Organization for Rehabilitation, or AWOR, as it is familiar with the local situation. Since the tent camp didn't have any water supply or sewerage systems, AAR supplied them with mosquito nets (to safeguard against malaria), soap, dish-washing detergent, and laundry detergent so that they might live as hygienically as possible.

AAR purchased the supplies in the Afghan capital, Kabul. It has not been easy to transport them to the disaster area, Badakhshan province. AAR worked through a variety of challenges, such as the sudden cancellation of flights from Kabul to the disaster area, and finally delivered the aid supplies to each of the 350 families. AAR got words of appreciation from the victims who received the aid supplies.

AAR gathered family representatives and handed each representative aid supplies (August 5th, 2014).

Laundry detergent helped her do washing (August 10th, 2014).

Now that a mosquito net was hung in a tent, they were protected against malaria (August 10th, 2014)

AAR's local staff preparing to deliver aid supplies. The latest relief efforts were ran only by Afghan officials (July 20th, 2014)

*This program was supported by a grant from Japan Platform, or JPF, in addition to your donations.

Profile at the time of posting. Mr. Sadeq Arianfar, AAR Afghan office staff member, assumed the present post in December 2010, as a project assistant for AAR. He engages in project management of mine risk education among others issues.

Japanese-English translation by Mr Masaharu SATO
English editing by Ms Kristen GRIFFITHS

The article on this page has been translated by volunteers as part of the AAR Volunteer Programme. Their generous contributions allow us to spread our activities and ideas globally, through an ever-growing selection of our reports from the field.

Escaping the Syrian civil war that has been continuing since 2011, many Syrians are crossing the border, and taking refuge in neighboring countries. The Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) continues to support the Syrian refugees that have escaped into Turkey. Yoshifumi KAGEHIRA of Tokyo Headquarter reports.

Ms. Zakiye (center above) who attends the community center opened by AAR, and her four children. Sachiko KAREKI, AAR staff, to the top left of the photo. To the right is Muna Albadran, a Syrian refugee working for AAR's office in Turkey. (July 8th, 2014)

"I want to talk with the people of Turkey properly"

"There are still some Turkish people who are kind to us, but I think the number of people who feel hostile toward us has increased by far more. The Syrians are placed at the end of the waiting line at hospital. Also when we go shopping, they raise the price if they know we are Syrians. But to live here, we, too, must change. I want to learn Turkish language, and be able to talk with Turkish people properly. I believe that can improve our relationship,." says Ms. Zekiye (30), who escaped from Damascus, the Syrian capital, a year and a half ago. With her children, she attends the community center that AAR opened in Sanliurfa, Sanliurfa Province, southeastern Turkey in order to support the settlement of the refugees.

There are 180,000 Syrian refugees living in Sanliurfa Province, and among them, 110,000 live outside of the refugee camp. As there are no prospects of being able to return to their home country, many of them are beginning to take the path towards settlement.

However, that path is not easy. It is difficult for the refugees to benefit from or make use of their qualifications and career from back home, and they must acquire new skills. Unlike Syria where the official language is Arabic, they also need to learn Turkish. Also, the number of people who feel animosity toward the Syrian refugees is on the rise, and building amicable relationships with the local residents is increasingly challenging.

The community center is operated in the rented building located in the urban area of Sanliurfa city.

Class in Arabic language for Syrian children, between age 9 and 12. Children are eagerly learning their mother tongue (July 8th, 2014)

Opening of the Community Center to support the settlement

AAR is training volunteer instructors, and is running vocational training courses such as computer skills and hair dressing, and language classes on Turkish, English, Arabic and others, as well as preparing to open new courses. Also, AAR is planning to provide information to assist the refugees in their daily lives in Turkey on topics such as the availability of official government services and legal counseling, as well as developing the "Turkish Living Guide Book". In addition, AAR plans and organizes events in which Syrian refugees, who tend to be isolated, can gather and have the opportunities in which to interact with Turkish people. In June, 236 people attended the experimentally organized recreational event, which featured music classes and film showings, over the course of 19 days.

Children gathered at the experimentally organized recreational event (June, 2014)

One month since its opening, around 300 people are registered and attending classes. "I want to improve my Turkish and make many friends. And when I do, I will bring them to the center," says Fatma (11). It made a strong impression on me when I asked her "which country would you like to visit in the future?" She answered, "I want to to go back to Syria". Waiting with hope for the day that she would be able to return home, Fatma is actively studying her mother tongue, Arabic.

Fatma who has begun attending after hearing about the center in her neighborhood (Left. To the right, Sachiko KAREKI of AAR).

AAR will continue to support people who are now refugees in Turkey and have decided to settle and grow their roots in this country, so that they may establish their livelihood, and that children such as Fatma will be able to continue with their studies and have hopes for their future.

Note: In the light of the current political situation in Syria, assumed names have been used in the article to protect the identity of the refugees and those who are related to them.

Reporter

Yoshihiro KAGEHIRA, Tokyo Headquarters, AAR Japan

Mr. KAGEHIRA studied Education Development in Graduate School, and joined AAR after working in Kenya for an NGO following his graduation. He has been involved with the support program for Syrian refugees since November, 2012 in Turkey, working on the distribution of relief supplies and education support. He says “It has been half year since I’ve been in Turkey the last time. I can acutely feel that Turkish people’s view of the Syrian refugees are becoming harsher. I would like to serve for the improvement of their relationship even if it would be something very little.” (Mr. KAGEHIRA is from Osaka)

Japanese-English translation by Ms Hanano SASAKI
English editing by Ms Kirsten GRIFFITHS

The article on this page has been translated and edited by volunteers as part of the AAR Volunteer Programme. Their generous contributions allow us to spread our activities and ideas globally, through an ever-growing selection of our reports from the field.