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December 25, 2009
Progress Report - Miiro, Uganda
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009
Dear JICA friends,
Konikiwa?
I am Miiro San from Uganda-Africa, on 12th December, 2009, I made 1 year since I left Japan at the end of the Leadership Development for PWDs conducted by JSRPD with support from JICA. This month I met a JICA Volunteer working in Kyanamukaka Sub county-Masaka District, and all the good memories of Japan came back to life.
I wish to thank you for the updates on the JICA Friends website and keeping me in touch.
I wish to assure you that the skills and inspiration by the great work of the founders and the role of the communities in making PWDs independent especially from “Mugi-no-sato”, “Human Care Association” and “Acorns in the Village” in Japan that learnt are still practical and for this information;
I have been able to start up an organization for the PWDs known as COME PWDs, in full is
“The Communities’ Move to Empower Persons with Disabilities” This is an indigenous, community based organization that has been founded in 2009. It is to be commonly nicknamed “Jjangu” which is a Luganda word meaning to “Come”.
The vision of COME PWDs is a society where there is improved educational opportunities, promotion of sustainable economic and livelihood and the human security of all persons with disabilities through empowerment.
COME PWDs exists to advocate for the enhanced quality of life for children and adults with disabilities to increase community awareness of unique worth of these individuals and to encourage all those who endeavor to help these special people achieve their full potential” (Mission) and
Our goal is “To promote human rights, socio-economic development and an inclusive society of empowered persons with disability”
The four core areas of COME PWDs are “Education, Health and Rehabilitation, Economic Empowerment / Income Generation, Food Security and Environmental protection”
Below is our log/Emblem
So we are in the final stages of registration as we are targeting the most rural PWDs in
Kikyusa Sub County, Luwero District, Uganda
As we celebrate this Christmas, from myself, family, friends and all PWDs in MASAKA District,
WE WISH YOU A VERY
MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND
A HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2010
Your friend,
Miiro Michael
Senior Rehabilitation Officer/ Masaka-Uganda
Posted by jicafriends at 12:57 PM | Comments (0)
December 24, 2009
Training Report : November 8, 2009: Regional Training (Day 1)
Today is the first day of 5 nights and 6 days trip.
Nine participants were all excited about riding a super express train, Shinkansen between Tokyo and Hamamatsu, it was just one and half hour trip, however they all enjoyed experience one of the fastest train in the world.
After arriving Hamamatsu participants quickly checked in the hotel and went to “Zaza City, ” one of the biggest shopping complexes in Hamamatsu. Various kinds of products from small scale community workshops were displayed there for spot sale. Participants met Chairperson of Rokusei Welfare Corporation there since the facilities of Rokusei also exhibited their hand-made products such as potpourri balls, post cards made by recycling paper, owl shaped deodorizers, Zori (Japanese sandals) and so on. The exhibition was held not only for selling the products but also for drawing the attention of citizens.
Then Chairperson showed them IT support corner which is run by Hamamatsu city. It is located in the annex building together with Public Security Employment Support Center, Employment Support Center for Persons with Disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation Center, Communication Plaza, and etc...
Participants were surprised to see different types of assistive devices for personal computers there and comprehensive services for persons with disabilities provided by Hamamatsu city. However Hamamatsu city is now thinking about terminating the programs of communication plaza including IT support corner. So participants also left their message on the board.
When it finished it was already eight o’clock and some of the participants nearly fainted from hunger.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1108.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:40 PM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2009
Training Report : November 4, 2009: Visit: Kodaira Genkimura (‘Genki’ means vigor and ‘mura’ means village)
On 4th November, participants visited Kodaira Genkimura in Kodaira City to learn about the current situation of persons with mental disabilities in Japan.
In the morning, participants received lecture about basic knowledge of persons with mental disabilities by Director of Community Living Support Center ‘Asayake’.
Since some of the participants never had an opportunity to learn about mental disabilities, participants asked a dozen of questions to the Director.
In the afternoon, mayor of Kodaira City arrived at Kodaira Genkimura to give a welcome speech to the participants. Participant from Jamaica returned thank-you speech on behalf of the other members.
Thereafter, two members of Clubhouse Habataki related their personal experiences after developing their illnesses to the participants. They explained the symptoms brought on by illnesses, lives in the mental hospital, and society and family's attitudes towards persons with mental disabilities. They lastly emphasized how they could be calm down and get settled after becoming members of Clubhouse Habataki.
One of the members concluded his speech with following word, “My dream is to make a happy family of my own in the future. Though I have a mental disability I will not be defeated by the illness and would like to get a full-time job.” Every one in the room was empowered by their stories.
At the end of the day, the participants and members of Habataki exchanged opinions and discussed the situation of persons with mental disabilities in each country.
It was a valuable opportunity to learn about mental disabilities through the lecture and interaction with Habataki members.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1104.html
Posted by jicafriends at 10:05 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : November 5, 2009: Movements by Persons with Disabilities
Participants heard lecture about the movements by persons with disabilities in Japan. Lecturers were the president and a young leader from Human Care Association, the first independent living center(CIL) in Japan.
At first, the young leader gave brief outline of the organization and its activities, such as Independent Living program and peer counseling. The organization invites trainees from Asian countries in order to develop IL program, peer counseling system and peer counselors in the developing countries.
Then, he let participants think what is the meaning of being independent, and he explained about the transition of its definition;
medical model to social model. There he emphasized that the most important concept of being independent is self-determination with responsibility.
Next, the president of Human Care Association gave lecture about the history of independent living centers, their movements to change society, and their community involvement activities. He brought the concept of CIL from the United States and started the movement in Japan about 25 years ago. At that time, most of the people told him that the concept would not fit with Japanese culture, but starting with opening the first IL center in Hachiouji city in 1986, CIL was gradually accepted by the local community, and finally achieved to establish CIL in every prefecture in Japan.
He explained the strategy of policy proposals to city, provincial, and national governments, how to request them to be successful.
There was lively Q&A session because each participants are facing with difficulties changing society in their countries, especially for participants who are working at government and NGO.
After that, participants visited the office and received briefing, then visited the apartment room of the person who is practicing the independent living regardless of severe disability, and received explanation about actual daily living from him.
It was really beneficial for participants to hear from the people who directly involved in the movement. Each words from the president were very strong and gave a big impact on participants.
It seemed participants found a great role model to be a good leader.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1105.html
Posted by jicafriends at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2009
News about Asare san-Ghana
We found the following news about Mr Samuel K. Asare, a former participant of Leaders' Course 2003. He's been working very hard as National President of the Association of the Deaf to improve the quality of lives for persons with disabilities in Ghana. It was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Ghana News Agency - December 19, 2009
Media urged to educate public on problems of the deaf December 19, 2009 Koforidua, Dec. 19, GNA - Mr Samuel K. Asare, National President of the Association of the Deaf, has appealed to the media to create awareness on issues concerning the deaf to enable them to be integrated well into the society.
At a press conference in Koforidua on Friday, he challenged the media to educate the public so that many misconceptions about the deaf would be corrected.
Mr Asare expressed dissatisfaction about people referring to the deaf as "deaf and dumb" saying they are "deaf but not dumb".
He urged the public to appreciate the fact that while different tribes spoke their own dialects, the deaf also used Sign Language.
Mr Asare appealed to the public to try to learn the Sign Language as they learnt other languages to be able to communicate effectively with the deaf.
He said the public could help to integrate the deaf into society by encouraging parents to send their deaf children to school.
Mr Ebenezer A. Asamoah, National Administrator of the Association of the Deaf, said the problem of access to public information was one of the difficulties being faced by the deaf.
He said there was also the lack of interpreter services at public places like the hospitals, banks and police stations.
Mr Asamoah said difficulties in communication prevented the deaf to gain employment and that resulted in wide- spread poverty among them.
"Opportunities for remunerative work for the deaf are severely limited and those who are lucky settle on labour intensive poorly paid jobs". On education, Mr Asamoah said the education of the deaf was limited mainly to the Senior High School level and that majority of their teachers did not possess adequate Sign language skills to effectively communicate and impart knowledge to them.
GNA
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©2006 Ghana News Agency. All rights reserved
http://www.ghananewsagency.org/s_social/r_10665/
Posted by jicafriends at 04:34 PM | Comments (0)
December 18, 2009
1st PWDs' SHG/SHOs Confernece report - Myanmar
Dear my friends,
How are you?
This is Mr. Nay Lin Soe who is former 7th Duskin's trainee from Myanmar.
Now I am very happy to share you our report regarding 1st PWDs' SHG/SHOs Conference in Yangon.
It was held from 16th to 19th November, 2009 at International Business Centre in Yangon.
Many guests from GO, INGOs, LNGOs and 71 representatives from over 30 SHGs/SHOs of PWDs in local were attended in the conference.
It was the first opportunity & milestone to make big gathering and be united among SHGs/SHOs of PWDs in Myanmar.
I hope this is the first big step for future movements of PWDs in Myanmar.
It was great and successful.
Best regards,
Nay Lin Soe
CBR Project Manager
Association for Aid and Relief-Japan
Secretary
Disabled People's Development Organization (DPDO)
Yangon, Myanmar
Posted by jicafriends at 04:31 PM | Comments (0)
December 17, 2009
Training Report : October 30, 2009: Workshop: Human Rights and Advocacy
Today was the second day of two-day workshops.
And of course it began with the song “Kono Machiga Sukisa (I like this town).”
All participants already remember the song and sang it all together.
In the morning nine participants had opportunities to think about “medical model and social model,” “what is disability,” and “who are persons with disabilities.”
We are human beings!
Therefore, we have human rights!!
Facilitators' strong massages reached nine participants. And experiences, opinions, and comments were actively exchanged among participants.
In the afternoon, all participants together with three facilitators went to Hibiya Park, which is located in front of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, to observe the “October 30 Forum. ” More than 20,000 people from all over Japan gathered to call for the abolition of the Law for supporting independence of persons with disabilities.
Nine participants were impressed by not only the number of persons with disabilities but also the fervor of audiences. Persons with severe disabilities took part in the forum and raised their voices.
Yes, “nothing about us without us!”
After returning to JICA Tokyo they did feed back and overview of two-day workshops and closed the workshop with the theme song.
[Japanese]
Kono machiga sukisa
Kimiga irukara
Kono machiga sukisa
Kimino hohoemi arukara
[English]
You know I love this town
Because (name) is here
You know I love this town
‘Cause (name)’s smile is here
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1030.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:22 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : October 29, 2009: Workshop: Human Rights and Advocacy
This workshop was originally developed by a group under the leadership of Nancy Fitzsimons-Cova, Assistant Professor, Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, in the United States. Protection & Advocacy Japan (PAJ) introduced this program to Japan. And the Human Rights Committee of the Japan Council on Independent Living Centers modified it for persons with disabilities under the supervision of PAJ.
Members of the Human Rights Committee modified it again for JICA Leadership Development Program of Persons with Disabilities. And it has been included in the training program since 2007.
Today was the first day of two-day workshops, nine participants learned “What is Abuse, ” “Why is it difficult to stand against abuse,” and “Empower the diminished mind. In this way, you can stand against abuse.”
We often use the words, “Human Rights” and “Advocacy.” However we sometimes do not notice when we are abused, neglected or discriminated. So Three facilitators explained those situations by using role-plays.
“Human Rights and Advocacy” workshop began with a song “Kono Machiga Sukisa (I like this town)” and it is often used as a theme song for this workshop.
All participants love this song. Especially they love to sing it in Japanese!
[Japanese]
Kono machiga sukisa
Kimiga irukara
Kono machiga sukisa
Kimino hohoemi arukara
[English]
You know I love this town
Because (name) is here
You know I love this town
‘Cause (name)’s smile is here
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1029.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:18 PM | Comments (0)
People with disabilities insist on their rights -Ghana
The following news was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Date: 04-Dec-2009
The Brong-Ahafo branch of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled on Thursday called for the inclusion of the rights of people with disabilities in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Ms Mahammadu Sirina, Acting Secretary of the National Women's Wing of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani, as part of activities marking World Disability Day, which was on the theme: "Making the Millennium Development Goals Inclusive for Persons With Disabilities."
She said non-inclusion of the rights of persons with disabilities in the MDGs would have serious repercussions on the country's developmental efforts.
"The nation collectively needs the talents of all sections of the population, including the physically challenged in order to move it forward. There's no need to marginalise such people", she stated.
Ms Sirina said contrary to the free education policy in the country, a lot of people with disabilities continued to pay for tuition at all levels of the educational structure.
The acting women's wing secretary, expressed disappointment about inaccessibility to public places and structures such as schools, hospitals, banks, district assemblies and other government agencies and public libraries by physically challenged persons.
She called for the provision of Braille, sound interpreters and wheelchairs for disabled persons in schools and public hospitals to improve on their access to such facilities.
Ms Sirina abhorred the discrimination against people with disabilities, saying it was wrong for society to view them as second rate citizens.
She called for public education to change people's perceptions about them.
http://news.peacefmonline.com/social/200912/33524.php
Posted by jicafriends at 03:57 PM | Comments (0)
Poverty cut doomed unless disabled empowered: UN
The following news was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
(AFP) – Dec 2, 2009
GENEVA — The United Nations warned Wednesday that attempts to halve global poverty will be doomed unless the world's estimated 650 million disabled people are pulled out of neglect and discrimination.
In an appeal to mark International Day for Persons with Disabilities on Thursday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said disabled people formed "one of the world's largest and most neglected
groups."
About 20 percent of the world's poorest people have some kind of disability, while 90 percent of disabled children in developing countries do not attend school, according to UN data.
"These statistics shock our conscience," said Pillay.
"Unless persons with disabilities are brought into the development mainstream, it will be impossible to cut poverty in half by 2015 or to give every girl and boy the chance to achieve a primary education," she added in a statement.
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, formed this year, said many national censuses simply failed to account for the disabled, effectively hiding the issues of care, support, opportunities and their rights.
Yet the number of people with physical and mental disabilities is thought to be growing, while forcible internment remains a major concern and the disabled are often stigmatised in some cultures, committee members warned.
"Disability is a cross-cutting issue and it must be included in the mainstream in our journey from darkness to light, from isolation to inclusion, from despair to hope," said committee member Monsur Ahmed Choudhuri, who is blind.
The UN expert spearheading the nascent global drive for disabled rights revealed that even he and his colleagues experience hurdles and discrimination, including in wealthy countries that are regarded as more progressive.
Mohammed al-Tarawneh, head of the committee overseeing the 2008 UN Convention on the rights of the disabled, said he was recently forced to fill in medical forms stating he was fit to fly on an airliner.
"This happened in two countries that are not only signatories but have ratified (the convention). I would like to mention the names Austria and Italy," said Tarawneh, who is physically disabled.
"This was so degrading, in the past 34 years of my life since I had my car accident, I have never been asked this question before.
"I was asked this question in Vienna, and they almost did not let me board the plane coming to Geneva, and leaving Geneva to Amman via Rome, the Alitalia representative refused to let me on board until I filled a claim (form)," he said.
One of his colleagues on the committee, Jia Yang, said she would be keeping check on her travel experience as she flew back to China. "It's ironic, because he was on his way to Austria to receive a prize for his achievements for this committee, but he was hindered by those airlines," she added.
Jia, who is visually impaired, added: "On the other hand, Mohammed can fly, he took flying lessons."
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ineoor3Ij_eU9i52zdsTBMwXbR7g
Posted by jicafriends at 03:44 PM | Comments (0)
December 16, 2009
NATIONAL CONFERENCE INVITATION
Dear Friend,
My name is Marriet Devireat, female, working with world organization
for human right; we are organizing a global World Conference, for human
right. Taking place from 21st to 24th January 2010 at Los Angeles,
Washington, D.C. In the United States and in Republic of Benin from
27th - 30th January 2010. In our request to invite people from various
countries around the world, I went in search of your e-mails on the web
site as a means of contacting youths and organizations As a result, I
picked your email from an N.G.O`s website.
If you are interested to participate and want to represent your
country, you may contact the secretariat of the organizing committee
for details and information's. You should also inform them that you
were invited to participate by friend of yours (Marriet Devireat) who is a
member of the American world organization for human right,
I believe that we may have the opportunity to meet if you may be
willing to participate in this event. The benevolent donors from across
the global and the Organizing Committee will provide round Trip air
tickets and accommodation for the period of participants, Stay in the
U.S., to all registered participants. If you are a holder of passport
that may require visa to enter the United States, you may inform the
conference secretariat at the time of registration, as the Organizing
committee is responsible for all visas arrangements and travel
assistance. Email registration desk
Email: conferencere@web2mail.com
Email: conferecesecretary@insing.com
you may get back to me with my email address below.
Email, marrietdevireat@insing.com
Sincerely,
Marriet Devireat
Posted by jicafriends at 04:19 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : November 2, 2009: Participatory Workshop: Leadership Skills Ⅲ
Today was the last day of three-day participatory workshop.
In the morning session, one of participants volunteered as a facilitator.
She let rest of participants divide by 3 groups and present role-playing about disability issues. Each group chose very interesting topic and participants gave useful feedbacks.
In the afternoon session, participants talked about what they have learned in the whole workshops. Many of them said that they have deeply influenced by the lecturer as leaders and have been fascinated with his personality through the workshop.
Although the lecturer never showed direct answers to participants, each of them found their own ideas to be a good leader. The lecture's unique methodology is not easy to imitate, but his essence will spread in many countries and live forever!
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1102.html
Posted by jicafriends at 02:20 PM | Comments (0)
December 15, 2009
Training Report : October 28, 2009: Participatory Workshop: Leadership Skills Ⅱ
As the second day of three-day participatory workshops, participants learned important principles/concepts as a facilitator.
To deepen its understanding, participants presented role-playing in pairs, then gave feedback each other.
Participants sincerely enjoyed the visual materials prepared by the lecturer, and some of them was very impressed saying “his method is effective and applicable in my country!”
Since good relationship with the lecturer has already been created from the previous session, participants were easy to get involved into the workshop, and this attitude helped enhancing their awareness.
Everyone seemed they can not wait for joining the next workshop!
The last part of the workshop will be on 2nd November.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1028.html
Posted by jicafriends at 05:32 PM | Comments (0)
Invitation to attend the Job fair & photography exhibition of BVIPS-Bangladesh
Dear jicafriends,
Greeting from Bangladesh Visually Impaired People’s Society.
Bangladesh Visually Impaired People’s Society (BVIPS) is going to arrange a programme entitled “ Job fair & photography exhibition” for exhibiting the potential and successful performers among the blind persons and other disabled to the public and private sector employers.
Venue: Inaugural ceremony & Job fair to be held at Kobi Sufia Kamal Auditorium hall & photography exhibition, at the Nolinikanto Vattoshali Exhibition hall, ground floor. National Museum, Shahabagh, Dhaka
Date & time : Inaugural ceremony on Saturday 19 December 2009 at 10.30 AM & Job fair
On 19 December 09 commencing from 12 PM -2.30 PM and photography exhibition 19-20 December 09
Time : 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM (photographic exhibition)
We are pleased to invite you to participate in this programme, visit the photographic exhibition and to share in the exchange of views and ideas on the theme or to nominate a representative of your organization to attend the programme. We are also urging the public & private sector employers to receive the resume of blind & disable job seekers for kind consideration of their candidature, and to watch the potentials and successful job performers in the photographic exhibition. For any queries about the programme please contact the Head of programme (Muhammad Iftekhar Mahmud- 01553-504205).
We look forward to active participation of you and your organization at the programme.
Thanking you,
Sincerely yours,
Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Mozumdar,
General Secretary,
Bangladesh Visually Impaired Peoples Society (BVIPS).
Posted by jicafriends at 11:24 AM | Comments (0)
December 11, 2009
Message by Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Office on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities
3 December 2009
Today we focus on the goal of ensuring that the process of realizing the Millennium Development Goals is inclusive of persons with disabilities. This is necessary for their empowerment and that of their communities.
Globally, one in ten people – some 650 million – has a disability, with 470 million of working age. And about 80 per cent are in developing countries. Disability is both cause and consequence of poverty. Estimates are that people with disabilities make up 20 per cent of the poorest worldwide. Clearly, the goal of halving poverty by 2015 requires the inclusion of disabled persons in pogrammes for poverty reduction and for social and economic development.
Despite their proven potential, people with disabilities remain under-represented in the work force and concentrated in low-paid informal economy jobs. Many are excluded from opportunities for decent and productive work by virtue of societies’ attitudes to disability along with diverse barriers that hinder their full and equal participation.
The ILO’s Decent Work Agenda – centred on the dignity of work – is an agenda for inclusive development, rooted in rights and in the real economy. The Decent Work Agenda defines the ILO’s approach to all workers including those affected by disability. It is founded on nondiscrimination and on promoting opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, and access to skills training. Decent work also involves the extension of social protection, supporting those unable to work, facilitating the entry or return to work of those who can. And organization, voice and dialogue are fundamental elements. They bring strength and are key in ensuring that disability issues are on the table and included in policies and programmes for economic and social development.
International Conventions and laws, complemented by the ILO’s Code of Practice on Managing Disability in the Workplace point to what can be done to open up work places and work spaces to persons with disabilities. They provide the framework for practical programmes on vocational rehabilitation, including community-based rehabilitation, skills development, employment and self employment as well as research and identification of good practices.
Much has been achieved in recent years. Yet there is a long road ahead. And, in the face of the present economic crisis millions of the world’s most vulnerable are being pushed deeper into unemployment and underemployment, informality and poverty: among these are persons with disabilities.
There is a new global recognition that economic progress is unsustainable if the majority of people are counted out, not counted in. In June this year, the tripartite ILO adopted a Global Jobs Pact – now widely supported – which represents the application of the Decent Work Agenda in the crisis context. It specifies the need to help vulnerable groups who are hardest hit. It provides a sound foundation to build an integrated and inclusive approach to disability in recovery and beyond.
The recently adopted UN Resolution on Realizing the Millennium Development Goals for persons with disabilities will reinforce action to ensure an inclusive process and the empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities.
The ILO is pleased to contribute to this objective through its action to help ensure that persons with disabilities can realize their potential and find routes out of poverty in and through the world of work.
On this day we salute all who have driven the fight for the rights of persons with disabilities.
Posted by jicafriends at 10:54 AM | Comments (0)
December 08, 2009
MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY by Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon
3 December 2008
This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities falls just a week before the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United Nations is commemorating both under the theme, “Dignity and justice for all of us”.
We have much to celebrate this year. The entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in May was a turning point. When the first Conference of the Parties convened in October, participants immediately began considering how the Convention can serve as a tool to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. This progress has been made possible thanks to the active participation and leadership of persons with disabilities, by ensuring that they have access to – and are included in – all aspects of our work.
The United Nations remains committed to this approach. The renovation of our Headquarters complex through the Capital Master Plan will bring our facilities up to the latest standards of accessibility. These advances are long overdue.
The General Assembly has stressed that to achieve the MDGs, we must include persons with disabilities in all processes. With 80 per cent of persons with disabilities – more than 400 million people – living in poor countries, we need to do much more to break the cycle of poverty and disability.
The slogan of the International Disability Alliance is: “Nothing about us without us.” A disabled person from Swaziland who has been fighting for the implementation of a disability policy there has said, “We need total integration to do away with the evil of stigmatization”.
In that same spirit, I urge governments and all stakeholders to ensure that persons with disabilities and their organizations are an integral part of all development processes. In this way, we can promote integration and pave the way for a better future for all people in society.
Other information can be obtained from the following site
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1452
Posted by jicafriends at 04:40 PM | Comments (0)
Team wheels for $50,000-Spinal Injuries Association, Fiji
One of the participants of Leadership Development Course 2009 was from Fiji and she works for Fiji Spinal Injuries Association. We found the following news related her organization in the mailing list of "Disability and Development,"which is published by Mr. Soya Mori.
Samantha Rina
Friday, December 04, 2009
Fiji TImes
IF you're on the Queen's Highway, keep a lookout for the wheel-a-thon team which is aiming to raise $50,000 for supplies for spinal injuries victims.
The Spinal Injuries Association wheel-a-thon had a good start on Monday with team members in wheelchairs departing from Rakiraki.
Association secretary Peni Dobui and treasurer, Timoci Serevi, said the team arrived in Nadi on Wednesday, considered to be the halfway point for the road trip.
Mr Dobui said the wheelathon was organised to raise funds for wheelchairs and medical supplies and equipment for 2010 and also to draw attention to the capabilities of people with disabilities.
"We want people to know that we are disabled but we can do something, we want to move forward. We can't stop after suffering a disability because there's still life for us," he said.
"For three months we planned this wheel-a-thon with an aim to raise $50,000. Along the way from Nadi to Sigatoka, we will stop at hotels and resorts to collect the tins we had distributed earlier for donations," he said.
Mr Dobui said no one was pushing their wheelchairs during the wheel-a-thon.
"This is not new for us. We have participated previously in 25 kilometre marathons in Japan. The wheelchairs we have are not ordinary ones, they travel faster," he said.
The wheel-a-thon team is being supported by a doctor, a physiotherapist and 18 members of a church group.
It ends on Saturday when the team arrives in Suva.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=134839
photo caption: Timoci Serevi and Peni Dobui lead the Fiji Spinal Injuries Association appeal. Picture: ANOKH KUMAR
Posted by jicafriends at 04:19 PM | Comments (0)
December 07, 2009
Training Report : October 26, 2009: Workshop: How to Write Project Plan
At the end of the training course, each participant is required to submit
Project Plan by applying what they learned in Japan.
Some of the participants already had experience of writing projects plans
and also obtaining funds, however it was the first time for most of the
participants to set up projects and draw up plans.
Three days workshops is programmed on project plan writing and presentation
skill during the training program. Consultant for Nonprofit NGO Project and
Organizational Development is a nonprofit NGO consultant with background in
the human rights issues in Asia and she gives these workshops.
She explained the following 12 items to be covered in Project Plan required
by JICA.
1. Name, organization and country
2. Title of your plan / proposal
3. Background: local issues, needs statement and preconditions
4. Overall Goals
5. Concrete Objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Impact on beneficiaries
8. Project implementation plan: step by step outline & description,
including schedule and timeline
9. Monitoring and evaluation
10. Possible obstacles to Project plan implementation
11. Budget needed, how to raise funds
12. Impact of this training: how this training contributes to your Project
Plan
She showed the participants how to write by using former participants' good
practices, such as "Bakery in Bhutan."
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/bhutan/001jigme/002.html
The participants brought their computers to the classroom and they started
drafting their project in the class. It was an intensive whole-day. workshop
but the participants could improve their writing skills.
The second workshop is programmed for December 20 and the participants are
asked to bring their draft project paper in word and also to prepare their
presentation materials.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1026.html
Posted by jicafriends at 06:26 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : October 24, 2009: Presentation: Personal / Organizational Report
The personal/organizational report presentation was held from 10 am to 5 pm at JICA Tokyo today.
Nine participants made presentations on their personal history and organization which they belong to.
Since it was open to the public, more than thirty audiences, including committee members, JICA officers, Duskin trainees, some lecturers of this course, and officers from non govermental organizations in the field of disability and development issues, took part in the presentation.
Japanese/English interpreters as well as Japanese sign language interpreters were prepared to secure equal information.
Today the participants as well as Japanese personnel could learn about the current situation of persons with disabilities in each coutry and deepen understanding of each other. Furthermore, participants could build a bond through today's presentation.
Personal/Organization Report 2009
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1024.html
Posted by jicafriends at 06:06 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : October 21, 2009: Participatory Workshop: Leadership Skills 1
Today nine participants had the first part of participatory workshops about
leadership skills.
The facilitator, conducted the workshop by thinking together through the
dialogue with all participants.
In the workshop the participants discussed about the meaning of
ability/disability and what factor makes one a person with disability.
Every participants already had their different opinions about disability,
but due to lecturer's facilitation using pictures and
parables, there was lively discussion and many of the participants came up
with new ideas.
Everyone seemed enjoying the workshop very much and good atmosphere was
created as an introductory part.
The second part of the workshop will be on 28th October.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1021.html
Posted by jicafriends at 04:15 PM | Comments (0)
December 01, 2009
Training Report : October 27, 2009: Visit: Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Centers for the Disabled
In the morning, the lecturer, Deputy-Director, Sports Support Division explained about the outline and main activities of the center.
Lecture Material : Persons with disabilities and Sports Speculations from the Management of Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Centers for the Disabled
Thereafter, participants observed facilities of the center such as Training Room, Swimming pool, Playground, Tennis Courts, Sports Ground.
They also observed various sports for persons with disabilities and its devices.
Participants met some sports such as Boccia, Target Bird Golf, Javelic Throw for the first time.
Those facilities and devices were specially designed to adjust to the characteristics of various types of disabilities, making easy-to-use for them.
In addition, there was at least one staff presented at each facility, so that people could enjoy sports even if people visit the center alone or they did not have any experiences of those sports before.
In the afternoon, participants had experienced more than three or four sports based on each interest.
They enjoyed wheelchair tennis, sound table tennis, table tennis, target bird golf, gym, and race wheelchair.
That was so much fun!
After having experiences of sports, lecturer told the story of a member.
There was a person came to the center with the purpose of rehabilitation at the beginning. Through rehabilitation at the center, he recovered his confidence and he was encouraged to return to his place of work. After he returned to work, he kept a dedication to the promotion of sports for persons with disabilities.
Sport has a power, not only for enjoyment or rehabilitation but also for empowerment and social participation of persons with disabilities.
Lecturer demonstrated to make some devices by utilizing simple materials that were also available in participants' home.
He showed how to make Flying Disc by using old newspapers.
He also made a basketball that makes sound, by wrapping it around with a plastic bag. He said that it was also difficult for the center to purchase expensive equipments and devices. For this reason, we can substitute available resources with originality and ingenuity.
He hoped that participants could get at least one idea that they could bring back to their own countries from today's experience.
Participants could gain confidence to apply some ideas after returning home.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2009/training/l1027.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:40 PM | Comments (0)