January 06, 2009
Report from Shalika-Sri Lanka
Bicentennial Celebrations of the Birth of Louis Braille
Two hundred years have elapsed since the birth of Louis Braille and the Braille System he invented in 1824 remains to date the most widely used printed form of communication among the vision impaired. On 4th January 2009, we commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of this ingenious person who developed a system of writing and printing for the sightless when he was only 15 years old. His was an embossing system that was easy to print and read by individuals and thus surpassed those of Valentin Hauy, William Moon and Charles Barbier. With the 63 combinations of the six dots, Braille to the blind is what writing is to the sighted. The fact that the Braille System still has not had a worthy contender lies in its logical and practical design. Since 1824, Braille has undergone several modifications including the introduction of the Nemeth code and the musical notation code which have expanded possibilities of vision impaired persons reaching their fullest potential.
Some believed in the past that computers would pose a threat to the existence of Braille. On the contrary, they have increased the overall availability and use of Braille. Most importantly, they have become common ground where sighted and sightless meet as equals. The unification of Braille codes, making Braille parallel to print, will consequently bring about equitable access to literacy by the blind. Whatever progress Braille has made today with the aid of technology, we owe it all to Louis Braille for, if not for his ingenious invention of the six dot code, the blind may still be in the dark. Almost two centuries gone, his original code still remains the core of the Braille Code we use today. I am sure that it will be so for at least another two hundred years more.
In gratitude to this great Frenchman, the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind (SLCB) organised the national celebrations of his two hundredth birth anniversary on 04th January 2009. The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka at the Public Library, Colombo. The Chief guest unveiled a photograph of Louis Braille before he addressed the gathering. Guest of Honour, the Secretary to the Ministry of Social Service and Social Welfare and other special guests also addressed the gathering. Proceedings also included the singing of the Louis braille song composed by two blind persons, the award of scholarships to several deserving vision impaired students, presentation of slates to blind school leavers and the presentation of SLCB’s first magazine “Sadisi” on matters related to the vision impaired community to the Chief Guest. SLCB launched the Sinhala Text to Speech Softwre “Nuwana” on the same day. Any vision impaired person can obtain it free of charge from SLCB.
Posted by jicafriends at 08:35 AM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2009
Newsletter from United Voice-Malaysia
We are please to announce that our 2008 December Newsletter is available for download at our website http://www.unitedvoice.com.my
We would also like to inform you that we will be changing our email address to unitedvoiceinfo@gmail.com with effective from 1st January 2009.
You may email us at this address for any future correspondence.
Thank you & wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Regards,
United Voice Team
Posted by jicafriends at 06:39 PM | Comments (0)
December 23, 2008
Message from former participant Md Saidul Huq.-Bangladesh
Dear All participants.
Greetings from Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development
Organisation ( BERDO).First of Greetings to new participants of 2008. I
hope every participant will do good work. Also Greetings all former
participants. I Greetings for Happy new year of 2009. I wish good luck of
all participants and Jica Staff. Thank you very much.
Yours Sincerely
Saidul Huq
Former Participant 2005
Posted by jicafriends at 11:43 PM | Comments (0)
December 12, 2008
Congratulations! Mr. Setareki Macanawai
We found the following good news about Mr. Setareki Macanawai, Executive Director of Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons. Chief Executive of Pacific Disability Forum, and former participant of Leaders' course 1999.
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Four Pacific Islanders get human rights awards
08 December, 2008
Radio New Zealand International
Four Pacific Islanders have been honoured with human rights awards to mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Papua New Guinea's Cabinet Minister, Dame Carol Kidu, won the overall award for her outstanding contribution to promoting the rights of Pacific Islanders.
Setareki Macanawai of the Pacific Disability Forum and Andonia Piau-Lynch of the Vanuatu Disability Promotion and Advocacy Association received special citations for advancing the rights of
persons with disabilities.
And Lynnsay Rongokea-Francis, a Cook Islander currently working with the Asia Pacific Forum for Women, Law and Development, received special recognition for her long-standing support for the rights of women.
Organised by the Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team the awards were presented in a ceremony in Suva last Friday by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Secretary General Tuiloma Neroni Slade and International Human Rights Officer Tanya Smith of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=43543
more information about Mr. Setaraki
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/project/asiaandpacific/fiji/fiji01.html
Posted by jicafriends at 02:07 PM | Comments (0)
October 27, 2008
Message to 2008 Leaders' Course Participants from Ms. Shalika - Sri Lanka
To all participants of the 2008 Leadership Development Course,
I sincerely wish all of you the very best and hope that you too will learn as much as I did about the facilities afforded to PWDs in Japan. I was able to experience how technology is used to make life better for us - things I would never even have dreamt of. I was so thrilled with the Braille tiles on the floor and the talking elevator. In Sri Lanka, I could never travel alone in an elevator as there aren't any talking ones. I was also amazed by the Personal Assistant and Job Assistant scheme. How easy life would be if such a thing could be implemented in our countries too. It is sometimes hard to implement every good thing one experiences in Japan as ours are developing countries and have many financial constraints. But I will always endeavour to get atleast some of them implemented. It might take ages but I'll keep on bugging the authorities - So must you !
My training period in Japan was also a learning experience of the challenges that others with different disabilities face daily. There are four participants with vision impairment this year whereas in my year, I was the only one. My friend, Andrea from Costa Rica was my sight and I was her feet. Together, we wandered the streets around the JICA centre during our free time. Believe me, we were a good combination. Bing Quang from China also helped me out when moving around. We learnt valuable lessons of co-existance. We helped each other not only with our physical difficulties but also in other ways. Leo from Belize was the singer in our group and always made sure that everyone was cheerful. Fabio from Columbia was the computer genius and we sought his assistance when something went wrong with our laptops. Bing Quang was the person who made it sure that there was always discipline and law and order. Ruby from Vanvatu was ever ready to help others. She and Khem Phong from Laos were skilled in handicraft and fixed whatever we needed. Andrea was a teacher and translator and thus helped out with the preparation of reports. The experience I received in Japan is very unique and I am glad I got the opportunity. I am sure you too will feel the same. So good luck with your future endeavours.
A special note to the participant from Sri Lanka, please contact me and perhaps we can work together to make Sri Lanka a more disable friendly nation.
Shalika Karunaratne
Participant from Sri Lanka
Leadership Development Course - 2006
Posted by jicafriends at 07:49 PM | Comments (3)
September 29, 2008
Breaking barriers in disability -Philippines
I found the news about Ms. Adela Kono, former participant of Leaders'Course 1989. Ms. Adela Avila-Kono received the 2008 Apolinario Mabini Outstanding Woman with Disability Award.
I am very pleased and honored to share the following information with all jicafriends.
The secreatriat of jicafriends
By Hi-D Palapar
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 11:24:00 09/28/2008
A hero’s story always begins with a tragedy that would prod him or her to pursue selfless goals to correct inequalities in the status quo.
In the case of Adela Avila-Kono, recipient of the 2008 Apolinario Mabini Outstanding Woman with Disability Award, it all started in school.
Adela is a tetraplegic. She was two and half years old when she contracted polio, a condition that left her legs almost totally useless.
The disease forced her into a life of leg braces, crutches and wheelchairs.
Despite this, Adela said she never felt different at home in Cebu City and she pursued her studies just like her siblings.
But school life brought her many frustrations.
Without the aid of her yaya or classmates, Adela found it difficult to go up from one floor to another in a building with no ramps.
It was even tougher using restrooms because the floors were often wet and dangerous for one using crutches.
Adela recalled the many times she slipped and fell and even urinated on the floor when there was no one to help her stand up.
But it was these experiences that drove Adela to persevere and finish school so she would not stick out like a sore thumb among her accomplished siblings and relatives.
These same experiences, she said, would later give purpose to her life.
In 1987, Adela went to the United States with her mother and saw the amenities available to people with disabilities (PWDs) like ramps and handle bars in toilets.
She said it was her first encounter with “accessibility”, barrier-free or “non-handicapping environments” in its real sense.
Adela later urged groups like the Organization of Rehabilitation Agencies (ORA) and the Regional Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (RCWDP)-7 to pursue accessibility monitoring and implementation of their major programs in Cebu.
In 1989, she was chosen to participate in JICA's (Japan International Cooperation Agency) “Leadership Training Course for Disabled Persons” in Japan by the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, now the National Council for Disability Affairs.
Today, she is the Adviser of the Accessibility Monitoring Committee under the RCWDP-7.
She said the committee examines buildings to determine if they are disabled-friendly.
Today as an acessibility specialist, Adela gives advice on the “International Standards of Accessibility” to architects and civil engineers.
Batasang Pambansa 344 or the Accessibility Law stipulates that public and private buildings, streets and highways, public transport vehicles and public utilities should be available and convenient for PWDs.
The irony, however, is that the Accessibility Law has become inaccessible, Adela said. She said there are still architects and owners who resist following the law, thinking that it would be expensive.
“It is expensive, but not if the building is planned well (from the start)... They have not internalized the issue... Our cause is more on an appeal basis, there are no ordinances yet,” Adela said.
Adela said accessibility in structures is not only for the disabled but also for the elderly, the pregnant women and the children.
Adela and her supporters usually do without funding and dig into their pockets to finance their activities.
For her efforts, Adela was given the award by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Malacanang Palace last Aug. 6.
While there are no monetary rewards for her work, Adela said the “little joys” are enough return, like infecting “normal” people to be more senstive to issues of accessibility.
Adela said she sees the award as a way of allowing her to advance the cause of a barrier-free society.
Posted by jicafriends at 02:53 PM | Comments (0)
August 28, 2008
Good news from Lilian-Chile
Friends, I want with you good news of which I witnessed, I mean signature ratifying the International Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities'.
The news is that public television and newspapers of the country.
Lily Sam
Lilian Garrido Vasquez
Santiago de Chile
President Bachelet: Chile formally enshrined TODAY A new perspective on disability
The President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet, signed this morning promulgatorio decree ratifying the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, stressed that the opportunity through this commitment “Chile formally establishes a new look on disability, which should help to update our laws and our public policies.”
The convention, adopted in July by the Upper House, has become the first treaty of the twenty-first century on Human Rights and seeks to leave behind discriminatory practices against those with disabilities. In this regard, the Head of State stated that “the ratification without reservations of this convention and its protocol, adopted unanimously in the Senate, means that we are equal with other countries that today are at the forefront in terms of non-discrimination.”
Similarly, he noted that this commitment “also means a challenge, because when enacting this convention, we folded voluntarily to the assessment and monitoring of the global community on progress in this area.”
During the ceremony, held at the Hall Montt Varas de La Moneda, the trustee argued that disability is not related only with a disability which limits people's lives, “but also with the barriers that prevent their full integration”. In this regard, adding that “when the structures of society excluded or marginalized, is increasing disability and block the ability of people to live better.”
During his speech the Head of State reaffirmed the commitment of his government with public policies aimed at generating greater integration and highlighted the progress achieved in this area. As an example, indicated that “a few days ago I gave to hear a series of measures on improving the situation of those who suffer mental disabilities and living in a situation of street.”
Also stressed that pension reform provides a basic pension Solidarity Invalidity for people with disabilities who are not working and living in poverty. He also stressed that this legislative change provides the “old desire and request of persons with disability pension,” which implies that this same benefit “will be delivered to those who, although employed, receive less than a minimum monthly income.”
In the educational field relevó that “we increase the subsidy for all special schools” and added that to achieve further progress in this area, “from March 2009, deliver a further increase in regular schools, they receive children with disabilities.”
In addition, appreciated “the opening of treatments and tools associated with physical and mental disability” in the Plan Rise and stressed the efforts made so that “people affected by disability are active in the design and proposed plans and policies related to this area and that is something that we have been doing well through joint work with Fonadis.”
Finally, he expressed the need for further progress in measures to “guarantee the right of every disabled person to privacy, to enjoy cultural goods, to participate fully in democratic processes, to live in a country without discrimination or exclusion . And that is the Chile we want and that is that Chile looks to the Bicentennial.”
Posted by jicafriends at 01:47 PM | Comments (1)
August 26, 2008
Report from Indra-Nepal
Dear JICA friends,
First of all I thank you that got a chance to take part in training in Japan. I am feeling now days that training grew up my moral power. I could not sent report you on time cause of situation of my country. So, I am very sorry. You have already known that I am not going forward according to action plan. I changed bit on plan because of environment of Nepal oriented me to the politics. I felt that we should join on politics to get rights of disables after getting the training of Japan. I realized that if we want to get new life on disables we should changed constitution completely and should write the constitution on favor of disables who are completely out of own rights. You know that I am selected as member of constitutional assembly by Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). I am thinking to commence some points in constitution assembly which are given below:-
As fundamental rights of disables
1) Free education, health treatment, provide of assistance instrument, management of helper, reestablishment, physical environment without barrier, confirmation of compulsory job or pension (to sustain smoothly) for unemployed pension for aged disables.
2) Confirmation of human rights, rights of equality and rights of information (interpreter, brail teacher, road lamp with sound, news on brail, information park etc.) for disables person.
3) Brail letter and signal language should take as national language.
Points written below should implement immediately
1) "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol(CRPD-2006)" should approved which government of Nepal has already signed.
2) National and international laws and rules concerned disables should be compulsory implemented.
3) "Disables preserved and prosperity law – 2039" should implement after re writing.
4) Every political party should safe fixed quotas for disables persons in every committee of every party.
5) 50% discount for disable person and their helper should be implementation on social objects of transportation likes planes and buses. And should be reservation of seats.
6) Reestablish center should be established to long life for disables women and child who are very poor, homeless and parent less.
7) At least 25% quotas should be reserved for disables person in the private and government jobs in office on the base of qualification and capacity of disables women.
Indra Kumari Gurung
Nepal (Leadership Development Course 2007)
DISABLED CENTER NEPAL
Posted by jicafriends at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)
July 25, 2008
Report from Asadullo Zikrikhudoev
Hello dear jicafriends,
In the Republic of Tajikistan on 8th July is declared as day of PWDs of
Tajikistan. We, disables this day have gathered at a monument of the leader of Tadjik people Ismoili Somoni. Then there were cultural entertaining actions celebrated
best regards,
Asadullo Zikrikhudoev.
Posted by jicafriends at 05:06 PM | Comments (0)
July 23, 2008
Report from Rosario-Peru
Dear jicafriends,
How are you?
It's been a long time without writing and I am very ashamed of that.
I hope you can accept my apologizes.
Currently I am working in a NGO called AINTI Peru which means action for the tipholologic inclusion in Peru and we are working so hard in order to improve blind people's accesibility to reading materials.
My son is growing so fast, soon he will be 5 years tihs october 7.
I have read the information about the training course for this year and I was very surprised when I read that Peru was not included among the countries that can apply for it. I would like what's the reason that our country has not be considered in this opportunity because I have a friend who was interested in applying for this training course.
I always remember the course and the good days in Japan.
Rosario
Posted by jicafriends at 08:06 PM | Comments (0)
July 05, 2008
United Voice Newsletter-Malaysia
Dear Friends,
Our new June edition Newsletter is available for viewing at our website. You can go to our website at http://www.unitedvoice.com.my to download the newsletter.
One of the highlight from our newsletter is UV’s Self-Advocacy Promotion in various states throughout Malaysia together with JICA & JOCV.
Enjoy reading!
Regards,
The United Voice Team
United Voice
http://www.unitedvoice.com.my
Posted by jicafriends at 06:11 PM | Comments (0)
June 17, 2008
Singxay Lor in Laos-Lao PDR
The following is a short story of myself. made by POWER international.
Singxay LOR, participant of Vacational Rehab. Course 2006
ICT Training for people with visually impaired.
Phontan Tai village, Xaysetha District, Vientiane Capital.
Singxay Lor in Laos
‘Employment is key to equality’
Singxay (left) with Lao Disabled People’s Staff
WORKING WITH THE EFFECTS OF POLIO
Singxay contracted polio at the age of 3 and has been disabled ever since. As an adult he has been able to receive free treatment at the National Rehabilitation Centre – one of POWER International’s projects - to have his leg operated on to give him more flexibility and is now able to walk without a stick although he still limps. His leg has been fitted with a brace.
WORKING WITH OTHERS FOR EQUALITY
He has been a member of Lao Disabled People’s Association, a partner of POWER International, since 2003, and is trained in IT. He was also funded to go to Japan where he received leadership and skills training. He assists LDPA in its work in communicating the needs and rights of disabled people by helping them with their database needs.
WORKING FOR THE FUTURE
Singxay’s wife has just had a baby of whom they are both very proud. From their small home on the outskirts of the city they supplement their income by teaching people computer skills in the afternoons. In the mornings Singxay makes books in Braille for blind people.
Singxay sees employment as key for disabled people to fulfil their potential and achieve their rights.
Singxay, helped by the work of POWER International and its partners, has been equipped for the present and looks forward to a future where there is equality for people with disabilities.
POWER International: Story of Change Singxay 2007
Posted by jicafriends at 02:48 PM | Comments (1)
May 29, 2008
JICA Senior Volunteer Activities in Bhutan
Ms. Jigme, participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2005 wrote her Action Plan on "Bakery Shop."
And she has started her project together with JICA senior volunteer since this January. Mr.Satoshi SEIKE, who is dispatched to the organization of Ms. Jigme sent us the following progress report.
JICA Senior Volunteer Activities in Bhutan
Mr. Satoshi SEIKE, Food Processing Trainer
Assigned to Drak-Tsho Vocational Training Centre for Disabled (“DVTCD”)
Background of the Request by JICA
After 6 years since DVTCD’s establishment, its operation is heading in the right direction and the project to launch a bakery shop for enabling the graduates to secure employment opportunities was brought out by DVTCD. The project started with an aim to receive Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. However it turned out that a precondition must be upheld, which is to have initiated groundwork activities for the project.
In order to achieve such purposes, Senior Volunteer (“SV”) who is capable of the following was requested by JICA and that is what I engage in currently.
Teach and train know-how for baking bread/confectionery to trainees with mild intellectual disabilities and with mild hearing impairment.
Transfer of basic technical information/guidance of bread/confectionery baking and also give advice on selecting basic necessary baking equipment and utensils.
Activities to date and Problems encountered
Initially I proceeded to select the least equipment/utensils necessary for launching a confectionery factory and commencing classes. I planned to procure them using DVTCD funds with a hope to receive the grassroots grant aid. However, I was informed by the Embassy of Japan in India that at least 2 years of the activities shall be necessary to actually receive the grant aid. After having a discussion with Ms. Jigme, the director at DVTCD, we have changed our plan to purchase some equipment/utensils by using JICA’s cost of equipment accompanied by senior volunteer dispatch so that we are able to start a class and a small-scale operation of a bakery shop. At the same time, the renovation of a bakery shop and a factory is also in process, bearing in mind the prospective receipt of the grant aid in two years time. Along with the above-mentioned activities I have been conducting some market researches on raw materials, equipment/utensils and the current status of bread/confectionery shops in Thimphu, capital city of Bhutan. Some of the findings of my researches are as follows.
Raw materials:
It seems that most of raw material necessary for bread/confectionery baking can be obtained. Wheat flour supplied in Bhutan is imported from India and Thailand. Although flour from India is moderate in price it is lack in quality. On the other hand flour from Thailand is superior in quality but the price is far more expensive than the one from India.
Equipment/Utensils:
As some of the large sized equipment for professional use such as an oven, fermenting machine, and blender cannot be obtained in Bhutan, we placed an order for those items with the confectionery equipment manufacturer in Thailand. Also some of the special baking pans for bread/confectionery production are impossible to obtain. Other cooking apparatuses for professional use in general are either unobtainable or poor-quality articles in Bhutan. It is now under consideration if the essential equipment/utensils such as moulds, which are not available here in Bhutan, can be sent from Japan. But, in this case, we cannot use JICA’s budget, so I need to negotiate with the DVTCD director. For other articles, I am considering to look for substitutes in Phuntsholing, a border town near India.
Bakery/Confectionery Shop:
There are several shops selling bread/confectionery. They are baked in large quantities in a different location(s) and brought into the shops. Since it is not commonly acknowledged in Bhutan that freshly-baked bread should be sold fresh, you will find stale bread on the shelves. The prices are inexpensive –the price for a loaf of bread is about 40 Japanese Yen. Confectionaries in Bhutan seem to have influence of India; they contain a lot of sugar and the texture is hard. The prices are also inexpensive and there are also several shops selling homemade confectionery.
I have baked bread/confectionery myself at home to calculate the cost. I am currently reviewing the selling prices. As long as I use highly priced flour, eggs and butter, compared to what we pay in Japan, the selling prices needs to be set several times higher than those of the existing shops. Therefore, I need to change recipes and make high quality products without increasing the price.
Future Activities
In addition to the problems mentioned earlier, there are more issues to be considered and overcome before opening our bakery shop. One of them is to determine prospective customers. Should we sell low price products targeting ordinary Bhutanese people or expensive but high quality products targeting wealthy shoppers? This decision impacts strongly to our product development.
The next issue is a packaging. In Japan, especially regarding confectionaries, the way of packaging influences the marketability of a product. But the shops here in Bhutan just put bread/confectionery in a box without any packaging or just wrap them in plastic. Considering that packaging materials are so limited and we cannot spend much on packaging cost, I am seeking for the cooperation of a SV who engages in packaging designing.
Purchasing large sized equipment was approved by the JICA office in Japan in April. Now the purchasing arrangement is being carried out through the JICA office in Thailand. At the same time designing specifications of our bakery shop and refurbishing plan of our factory is being developed with a cooperation of another SV who engages in construction.
It will take about 2 months before receiving the large sized equipment, if they are shipped by sea. Furthermore It will take a while before starting the construction of a shop and factory), as I need to receive a quotation.
In the beginning I had planned to start a class after 6 months of my arrival, but things are not moving forward as fast as expected. Apart from myself, everyone including my two counterparts are all non-professionals. Even if I could start a class in October 2008, in this situation, it seems impossible to open the shop and get it off the ground by January 2010, when the term of my dispatch expires. So, I am asking JICA to consider extending my assignment for one extra year, but under the present situation with the SV Programme, it is unlikely to happen. I sincerely hope that JICA will extend my assignment as much as possible, and despatch a successor in a timely manner.
Conclusion:
I was despatched to Turkey as a SV teaching how to cook Japanese cuisine three years ago. Turkey has achieved a high level of industrial power and good distribution system, and the country is rich in materials/products. If I put an order of necessary equipment to a small-medium scale factory, they could produce the exact products. On the contrary, Bhutan has not achieve a high level of industrialisation and it is dependent on foreign imports. Additionally large part of the country is mountainous area. This geographic condition makes the development of its distribution system more difficult, ending up spending a lot of time and efforts to obtain one article not available in the country. The same can be said for food ingredients. Most of them are imported from India and Thailand.
I spoke with some of the homemade confectionery shop owners in Timphu how they bought the large sized equipment and special baking utensils. Every response I received was exactly the same – travel to either Deli in India or Bangkok in Thailand and import goods privately. There are not any import agents in Bhutan and this seems to be the only way to buy them. This time I could purchase some large size equipment and transport them here via the JICA office in Bangkok. However, I still need some other equipment and utensils for bread/confectionary baking. It seems impossible to manufacture moulds etc in Bhutan. Regarding food ingredients, I will use what I can find here, and then make bread/confectionaries in accordance with the ingredients that I can get.
To conclude my report, I shall push forward toward my initial aim: starting a class for the trainees/counterpart as soon as possible, transferring the technology, opening up a bakery shop, receiving the grass roots grant aid, andassuring stable workplaces for the graduates of DVTCD.
Posted by jicafriends at 02:43 PM | Comments (1)
May 12, 2008
Report from Lilian-Chile
Dear jicafriends,
I would like to introduce you "First National Study on Disability" by
National Fund for Disability.
Hope you will understand more about the situation of persons with
disabilities in my country.
Regards,
Lilian Elizabeth Garrido Vasquez (Leadership Development Course 2007)
First National Study On Disability
Posted by jicafriends at 11:30 AM | Comments (0)
Report from Ng Chung Chiat-Malaysia
A Job To Call Their Own
Chinese radio station AI FM Malaysia and CIMB have paved the way for the disabled to become deejays.
One of the biggest challenges facing the disabled is their integration into society.
As Thomas Yeoh, one of the 12 disabled students who have completed a speech training course at the Voice Academy in Kuala Lumpur, says, "People sometimes donate money, wheelchairs and hearing aids, but what we really need are jobs.
Loving work: Pua Ghin Chu, 25, (centre) Low Mee Li, 40 and Yeoh Kee Soon, 45, (left) work as deejays at AI FM.
"Nobody wants to live off charity the rest of his life. Holding a job gives us a sense of pride, self-worth and purpose," says the 45-year-old, who has been wheelchair-bound for the last two years because of muscular dystrophy.
"I worked as a draughtsman until I became confined to a wheelchair. So now I have to learn other skills to obtain a job that I can do in spite of my disability," says Yeoh, who along with course mates Ivy Pua Ghin Chu, Low Mee Li, 32, and BGF director Sia Siew Chin, 46, have been offered stints as deejays with RTM's Chinese radio station AI FM.
Pua, a care and employment co-ordinator at Beautiful Gates Foundation for the Disabled (BGF) in Petaling Jaya, says the speech training course was conducted in Mandarin and focused on pronunciation and how to use voice more effectively.
Pua became disabled at 16, after surgery to remove a blood clot from her spine.
"Most physical disabilities do not affect a person's mental faculties. Yet, a high percentage of the disabled are uneducated due to society's poor acceptance of them, especially in schools.
"The infrastructure in schools is also not disabled-friendly. Moreover, many teachers and students don't understand the difficulties faced by the disabled or don't treat them with respect, which is why a large number drop out. The more educated members of the disabled community are usually those who became disabled later in life, after having obtained their tertiary education," Pua points out.
Pua and her three compatriots will helm a programme for the disabled in April, thanks to an initiative by CIMB Bank Berhad, which sponsored their course and approached AI FM to broach the idea.
Undergoing voice training.
They recently hosted two Chinese New Year 2008 Specials on NTV7's Chinese language programme called Finding Angels.
"The bank doesn't just hand over sponsorship money, but believes in working with its beneficiaries to obtain the expected results,'' says CIMB head of Community Link and CIMB Elements, Johnny Yong.
"This involves a lot of time and commitment. For instance, we had to convince the Voice Academy to enrol disabled students. We also spent a lot of time encouraging the disabled to take the course."
According to AI FM programme manager, Ng Leng Leng, 40, the station pondered over the idea of disabled deejays after being approached by the bank.
"It's the first time we are engaging disabled deejays. When I attended the graduation ceremony at Voice Academy, I heard Sia saying she wanted the public to know how the disabled felt, and not what the public believed they felt.
"Sia also said the disabled are victims of social prejudice rather than their disabilities. I was so moved by what she had said that I decided to have a radio programme by the disabled, for the disabled," recalls Ng.
The programme format will include sharing diary entries and daily experiences. The disabled will be encouraged to submit short stories within 100 words. The winning entry will be read on air and receive a prize sponsored by CIMB.
"We will also discuss some basic dos and don'ts that the able-bodied can observe when interacting with the disabled. For example, one should not immediately lift a disabled person who has fallen down,'' says Thomas.
"He should first squat and ask if the fallen person is hurt and what help he requires. Be sensitive to the type of disability when attempting to help the person. Don't force a person with cerebral palsy to hold a pen, because he is not able to do so. We will also discuss the proper way to push a wheelchair, especially when going up an escalator or down a steep ramp," says Thomas.
Ng says the station is excited about the show but notes that the facilities in their own building are not disabled-friendly.
"We have to carry the disabled deejays over one flight of stairs to the broadcasting room, which does not comfortably accommodate wheelchairs. The deejays are also not able to reach all the switches and still need able-bodied people to help them with the console. These are real-life problems, which the disabled can easily overcome if the infrastructure is built to suit them," she says.
Ng thinks it's a shame the disabled are being deprived of jobs they can quite easily do simply because of infrastructural problems. She hopes other companies, too, will think about the issue and consider providing employment opportunities for the disabled.
NG CHUNG CHIAT – MALAYSIA
(Participant of The Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2005)
Posted by jicafriends at 11:13 AM | Comments (1)
May 09, 2008
Report from Joseph-Cameroon
Dear jicafriends,
How are you?
I know you will be astonished by this mail considering the long moment of silence since I left Japan.
Talking about my Action Plan, after returning home country, things were not so easy. It took me two months to meet the Social Affairs Ministry to present her my report. I am still struggle to meet the Minister of Labour, Economy and Education. My staff had adopted some modification proposed by the Minister of Social Affairs. Thus, my Action Plan is for another chance. Initiative Program has started, and our Center is not like before.
Although we have no financial support, the Cente is now awaken with many activities.. We have published HOPE, the Newsletter, opened the counselling office, created an association of parents with children with disabilities, a forum for leaders of PWD associations that is trying to convince the President of the Republic to ratify the International Convention on the Rights of PWD.
I will send my progress report to JICA soon, now the report was written in French, so I need to translate it into English.
I can't finish this letter without express my sincere apology for this long moment of silence.
I have many reasons to explain; 4 computers in my office have been damaged by an electric problem. Until now, we have only one computer available for 6 persons. We have no Internet connection in the office, I have been sick for one month, political crisis had ragged the country for one month.. .
But now I'm OK and hope we will keep contact from this moment to ever.
With best wishes,
Joseph POUAGAM,
Cameroon
Posted by jicafriends at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
April 22, 2008
Report from Suphearac-Cambodia
Dear jicafriends,
WAC has started a woodcarving class for 10 trainees with phycally disabled and deaf person since Feb 2008. Please find the photos of the training class. And also will start a sewing training class in late April 2008. The WAC is operating very well with full of orders from our regular clients. That why we are recruiting new artisans with disabilities as our new members.
And also a custom made secondhand weel chair I brought back with me is very useful and is very like by one of our artisans. He uses it daily here in Phnom Penh.
I will report to you more details by end of Apil as the new training will be starting.
Rama san has visited our place in Phnom Penh last Mar 2008. Please find a photo below.
Suphearac (Vocational Rehab. Course 2007)
Posted by jicafriends at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)
April 07, 2008
Project is progressing in Bhutan
I visited Bhutan last week and met two former participants of Vocational Rehab. Course.
Ms. Jigme WANGMO, participant of Vocational Rehab. course 2005, is the founder of Drak-Tsho Vocational Training Center for Disabled (DVTCD), which is the first of its kind in Bhutan.
After returning to Bhutan, she had struggling to realize her action plan, "Supporting Disabled People for Open Employment" where she planned to start a bakery for persons with intellectual disabilities in Thimphu, the capital city.
Ms. Wangmo applied to JICA volunteer and a JICA senior volunteer was dispatched to DVTCD from January 2008.
Now her project of Bakery for persons with intellectual disabilities got started.
Ms. Tshering LHAMO is a textile trainer of DVTCD. She also participated in the Vocational Rehab. course in 2007. She is also working hard together with Ms. Wangmo.
We look forward to knowing more about the progress of their projects.
Kana Kumai
Posted by jicafriends at 05:20 PM | Comments (2)
March 23, 2008
Report from Lilian-Chile
hi!!!!!!!!!! my JicaFriends
I want to share with all, an article that I publish in the Diary of my commune about of my experience in Japan, especially my visit to the Center Of Rehabilitation of Children and Adults where we share experiences between both countries.
For my it is important to tell that the model of Rehabilitation created by professionals of Japan called RBC is applied in our commune.
Finally, I want to say to them that I will continue sending information of the experience that I obtained in Japan and how it will be applied in my country
with all Fondness.......Lilian
http://www.jicafriends.net/archives/080323.pdf
Posted by jicafriends at 02:58 PM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2008
Report from Khemphone-Lao PDR
Dear jicafreinds,
Let me report you about my situation now.
After I came back form Japan my office has problem with finance and it make me lost a job. I was jobless for five months beginning of January until May in 2007, during I was jobless my life was quite difficult to daily living life in the society. I have to accept hard necessary to responsible to take care of my family.
I started to work at HIB (Handicap International Belgium) beginning in June 2007, I got work past time assistants of CBR project (Community base Rehabilitation) Project. I had responsibility of Vocational training Disability people (Vocational Training Lao Korea School and Vocational training Lao Coco Company.)
After 2007, beginning of 2008 I started to work as full time staff at HIB my position is Peer Support officer at HIB until right now. When my free time I go to help sport at NRC (National Rehabilitation center) to help Okayama san from AAR http://www.aarjapan.gr.jp/english/index.html and ADDP(Asia Development with Disabled Persons) some time I play wheelchair basket ball.
Some time I been coordinator between disable people who need wheelchair and tricycle, I have to contact AAR for them and some time brought them to AAR office. When I came to work at HIB I can help little bit about accessible of the school, because in HIB produces hand book for accessible of the school for disability children It is say "School for every body."
I Individualy help disability person, Example: I find a job in garment factory for students when they are finish form vocational training in the school. I find small donation to help HIV lady. I find a good way to help disability child when step parents don’t want him to stay with them. I work in CBR project of Savanaket but I stay work in Vientiane office, only my boss travel between Vientiane and Savanaket.
My project plan (friendly service), which I submitted to JICA.
It is so far for me but it is still in my dream I hope that I will implement my project plan near future.
Posted by jicafriends at 10:33 AM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2008
Good news from Lilian-Chile
feliz de saber de ustedes, MY FRIENDS OF JICA!!!!!!!!!!!!
el proyecto esta comenzando, nuestro Municipio ganó un proyecto del Gobierno, para trabajar en la comuna con niños de 0 ha 6 años. eso nos permitira contratar seis nuevos miembros para la Unidad de Discapacidad del cual estoy a cargo.junto a mi equipo, solocitamos a nuestro jefe, nuestro deseo de incluir personas con discapacidad. la respuesta fue positiva y durante dos días entrevistamos mucha gente con diversas discapacidades (fisial, sensorial, mental, psiquiatricos).
el proximo lunes iniciarán sus actividades dos personas con discapacidad, fisica y mental para los puesto de secretaria y personal de aseo.
remito a ustedes las fotos de las entrevistas,
por el momento nuestra acogida es positiva, en los proximos meses iniciaremos la preparación y capacitación de un grupo de personas con discapacidad.
saludos para todos........
＜English＞
Happy to know of you, MY FRIENDS OF JICA!!!!!!!!!!!!
The project is beginning.
Our Municipality gained a project of the Government to work at the community with children of 0 to 6 years old. This permits us to contract six new members for the Disability Unit which I am in charge. Together with my team, we request to our Mayor our desire to include persons with disability. The response was positive and for two days we interview many people with disabilities diverse (fisica, sensory, mental, psychiatric).
Next Monday two persons with disability physical and mental will initiate their activities as secretary and personnel of Cleanliness.
I send to you the photos of the interviews.
For the present time our reception is positive. In the coming months we will initiate the preparation and training of a group of persons with disability.
Regards for all
Lilian Garrido
Posted by jicafriends at 02:13 PM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2008
Summer school
Dear friends,
I render my services for the Austral University, Ocupational Therapy school (from Valdivia city, south of Chile) to design and coordinate the summer school programme. It has several objetives.
• First, to serve our country with al our hearts and minds.
• Second, to work with, not for, persons with disabilities in an ethic fashion (following social justice, autonomy, beneficence and non malevolence principle).
• Third, to bring high quality comunity based assistance working with current local government programmes.
• Fourth, to bring high quality trainning to our students in a real enviroment, knowing each usuary by his/ hers name and working with them in their occupational space (house, workplace and so on)
The Summer School was held on Curacavi town, a country- side town. Our students work hard helping with daily life activities adaptations in our users homes.
The students organized a community festival with the participation of many organizations, even a biker organization called Amproch helped. all people enjoyed ridding motorcycles!!!.
Our students are ready for the winnter school, and the follow up of many small proyects carried out in Curacavi town. The local government participation was a key point to achieve the needed outcomes.
Carlos
Posted by jicafriends at 03:54 PM | Comments (0)
February 28, 2008
News about Khempone-Lao PDR
Ms. Khemphone, former participant of Leadership Development course 2006, is working on CBR project of Handicap International Belgium. We found her name in the following article presented on the website of Lao Disabled People's Association (LDPA).
The Community Based Rehabilitation Project of the Belgian organisation Handicap International is continuing to help more disabled people find permanent work through a vocational training programme this month.
The project received 150 million Kip ( US$15.000 ) this year from the Georg-Kraus Stiftung Foundation in Germany through Handicap International to train disabled people to produce handicrafts. Three courses will train a total of 18 people over four month periods at the Lao Coco project in Vientiane un the scheme. The first course was held from June to September this year, the second began earlier this month and will run from February 2008.
Lao Coco workers for fashion handicrafts out of the coconut, shells, such as waches, boxes, necklaces and puppets. Of the five peoples who completed the first course, four are now working with Lao Coco and one has returned to her home in Salavan province to produce items there, according to project assistants Mrs Khemphone Thongsythavong. The current course has six
participants, all of whom live in Vientiane. The project is currently seeking applicants from around the country for the next course, although Mrs. Khemphone pointed out that people from other provinces without relatives in Vientiane may have difficulties, as Lao Coco does not provide
accommodation. The project provides a wage of 400,000 Kip per month for participants and spends 40,000 Kip per day on meals for the group. After completing the course, trainees to receive tools they can use continue the work at home. The staff also help trainees to find work after the course by contracting organasations factories and offices to search for vacancies.
“ We provide both disabled and able-bodied people with a skill. These coconut products are in high demand, and Lao needs more workers to kick-start commercial exports ” said the director of Lao Coco, Mr. Michel Saada. He added that the main domestic markets for the handicrafts in Vientiane and Louangprabang provinces, will overseas markets includes France, Italy, Germany and the USA.
http://ldpalaos.org/Links/coco_eng.htm
Posted by jicafriends at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2008
Report from Shalika-Sri Lanka
Shalika from Leadership Development Course 2006 informed us about a new network in Sri Lanka.
I am terribly sorry for the long silence. However, I have been writing to Sriyani Rekha and we keep in touch. Hopefully, we will be working together soon. I also met a very old old old Leader. He's mr.M.C.Mendis. Said that he underwent training in 1987. Turns out to be that we are related. What a co-incidence. He too wants me to get involved in his work. He is attached to DPI. I also met Kamala Xavier who has undergone training. She is now one of the Vice Presidents of our organisation. She has many good ideas and I am looking forward to working with her.
Shalika
Posted by jicafriends at 11:30 AM | Comments (0)
Report form Rekha-Sri Lanka
Dear jicafriends,
My project is going on. First of next month I’m going to offer there tools and materials. These day’s they have to chose there main vocational Employment. I did training of excise book with them. Fredsro ( It’s a N.G.O) helped to me to do it. And they agreed me to give some donation for my project. Si I’m so happy. My department also will give money . It’s not big amount . So Fredsro agree to help.
I will send few photograph soon. You can see how did they companion to make excise books.
Rekha.
Posted by jicafriends at 10:49 AM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2008
Report form Andrea-Costa Rica
Dear jicafriend,
I am currently involved in a community project called EL PORTAVOZ a monthly free newspaper for People with Disabilites, senior citizens, family and friends in Costa Rica, Central America. We are currently on our 10th edition, with a 7000 copy run and our team consists of 11 people, 8 of which have a disability.
The reason for this email is due to the focus of our next edition, International Women's Day. We are planning on printing a special report on women with disabilities, detailing their various experiences and perspectives of their specific country. If you would like to contribute to this edition, we ask that testimonies are a max of 400 words and our closing date is the 22nd February.
We are currently updating the EL PORTAVOZ website; we do have past editions online, in Spanish only. We hope to get our articles into English sometime soon and it would be great to be able to trade links with your page.
Many Thanks
Andrea
Posted by jicafriends at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)
January 17, 2008
Report from Lilian - Chile
I am going to make a presentation of my experience in Japan in front of my colleagues next Monday.
After that I am also going to present in front of Mayor and show all the pictures and maybe talk about my Action Plan.
I send you my pictures of a party held at City Hall of PEÑALOLEN. I wore KIMONO which was made in Japan!
thrank MY JICA FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LILY FASHOM SAM
Posted by jicafriends at 02:41 PM | Comments (0)
December 27, 2007
Good news from Shalika-Sri Lanka
Dear jicafriends,
Soon Sri Lankan PWDs too will have a special Identity Card which they may use to make avail of many facilities. The Sri Lanka Council for the Blind is happy to announce that their proposal was accepted and approved by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities this week.
Shalika Karunaratne
Member - Executive Commitee - SLCB
Past Participant - Leaders Course
Posted by jicafriends at 10:42 AM | Comments (2)
December 25, 2007
Report from Rama-Nepal
Namaste
I am Rama Dhakal from Nepal ex participant of vocational rehabilitation course 2007.
According to my Action plan I am succeeded to convience one of the computer institute to give computer training for 3 women with disabilities. Three of them are physical, deaf and blind.
The training is going to start very soon. Sorry for delay due to my country situation.
Thanking very much.
.
Rama dhakal
nepal
Posted by jicafriends at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)
FELIZ NAVIDAD Y UN FELIZ AÑO NUEVO 2008
FELIZ NAVIDAD Y UN FELIZ AÑO NUEVO 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the whole dedicated fondness.
Very much success in his work.
An embrace for the whole team JICA
Soon email for action plan.............
With affection
Lilian of Chili
Posted by jicafriends at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)
COLOMBIAN PROJECT - Final Report
Hello Japanese Friends and Friends from Japan !
I hope all of you are doing well and be near your loved ones for this time of the year.
After more than one year of hard work I can finally say that the projects stated in my Action Plan of Leadership development course in Japan are done. Please see attached some pictures.
INTERNATIONAL WHEELCHAIR TENNIS TOURNAMENT
- The first ever International wheelchair tennis tournament, part of NEC Tour of ITF (International Tennis Federation), was held in Cali, Colombia from December 13 to 16 with great success
- 5 countries competing: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Chile and Colombia
- Participants from 12 cities of Colombia also attending the event
- 11 Children with disabilities from 5 cities participating in the first ever NATIONAL JUNIOR CAMP for wheelchair Tennis development. 5 tennis wheelchairs (junior size) donated and Junior event thanks to Johan Cruyff Foundation support
- Still some challenges with accessibility but through this event many people were aware of that needs and are willing to press local government and national sport entities to solve this in the near future. Next year Cali will play host to National Paralympic games and another World competition regarding disability, so we are very positive about the improvements in accessibility around the city. Our main need on this was transportation, unbelievably there's no accessible bus in the whole city. We are pressing a lot to make this change. A new massive transportation system called MIO, very similar to Transmilenio in Bogota will certainly be the first step towards this new perspective on accessibility
- Many volunteers helped and gave us important support during the event: 3 coaches for National Junior Camp were volunteers and did a fantastic job of motivation with kids (William Gabalan from Medellin, Jose Salamanca and Edgar Pinzon from Bogota). We also had the support of boys scouts and students from I.E. Boyaca school to help organization and overcome obstacles with lack of accessibility in transportation. A father of a girl participating in tournament was in charge of "Repair station" to help many players fixing their chairs with diverse problems. Andrea, daughter of Sigifredo Hidalgo (Tournament Director) was also helping us a lot with registration and other processes related with control of participants
- I contacted to NEC Colombia, Colombian branch of Japanese multinational which sponsored the entire world tour of wheelchair tennis. They were surprised a little bit at the beginning but very happy to gave us also some sponsorship and traveled to Cali to be at the closing ceremony
- An agreement with Ecuador was announced to all participants to have in 2008 consecutive international tournaments in these neighbor countries. So they will have their tournament in the last week of November and Colombia will be at the first week of December. That way more international players can come incurring in less expenses for traveling
- Based on work of Sigifredo in previous years many other sponsors gave us different contributions that in a whole make us able to have a high quality event. We know we have to keep working hard to improve it... but we certainly know that we are in the right path
- Maybe the most important thing to highlight for this successful event is the team work, besides the many volunteers involved I have to thank the support and work of: FUNDACION ARCANGELES (Juan Pablo Salazar, recent participant of sports course is the president), CLUB DEPORTIVO RUEDAS MAGICAS (Ivan Anzola, recent participant of sports course is the president) and FUNDACION NUEVOS HORIZONTES which usually helped Sigifredo with other paperwork and processes related with tournament.
VOLUNTEERS NETWORK
- As I explained in prior email, in a meeting with JICA Colombia representatives; we decided to change perspective of this project taking advantage of the massive presence of people with disabilities in the international tournament, so we organized a Conference and banquet to cause a greater impact with my message of Volunteerism and Disability and using less resources
- The conference title was: VOLUNTEERISM AND DISABILITY Challenges and opportunities for Colombia, and was held in Hotel Intercontinental, one of the best in Cali
- Despite some troubles with weather (very rainy days), some delays in tournament schedule and slow mobility due to heavy traffic in Cali ... we did a great event with around 100 very motivated participants, almost 50 volunteers from different cities officially registered in the data base and optimistic participants expecting good opportunities for integrated work through this network
- A lawyer, first time in the tournament, from Pasto (one of the cities originally included in my plan) offered his expert advice regarding disability and legal issues and even announced legal advice for free to kids.
- A journalist with visual impairment with some colleagues attended the conference and registered as volunteer
- Representatives of an institution for persons with mental disabilities also participated
- Ecuadorian participants were very surprised about JICA opportunities in courses regarding disability, they asked some questions and declared their interest in promote these opportunities with JICA in their country. They were also very motivated to start new projects to improve PWDs conditions and options in Ecuador
- To emphasize opportunities of courses and projects with JICA; I invited Ivan Anzola, recent participant of sports course in Japan, he showed us several pictures of his trip and experiences and express his intention to promote short tennis and other sports in Colombia.
- Besides promotion of volunteerism, I emphasized the way PWDs in Japan started many of their present programmes and rights based on initial volunteer job. Specifically I talked about Job promotion system, Independent Living Concept (Self Help Organizations, Advocacy and Equals support) and also the Universal design concept
- Many questions and comments from participants about the Japanese experience and conference topics
- Finally I explained the Colombian web pages related with volunteerism and resources available and also the objective of this project to be the seed for a greater network of volunteers working on disability issues
- I also showed web pages of www.lesionmedular.org and www.discapacidadcolombia.com, which are our partners to be the information centrals for present and future volunteers who register in the system. Still we need to put the data base on line and explain a little bit more in the web page about how we expect this network to work for the future
- Mainly I explained the V2V (Volunteer to Volunteer) concept and resources, which means that PWDs and volunteers in general don't need and institution or entity telling them what to do but instead of that; take action on their own and start proposing new initiatives and projects integrating volunteers from this very initial data base, and of course, making the network to grow
- If budget is enough I will organize a similar conference in Bogota on next January but focusing more in disabilities other than physical, and also inviting important actors of volunteerism in Colombia to integrate effectively these 2 wonderful worlds
- This is an initial step on formation of this Volunteers Network but I'm very positive about it. With the work and support of all these people I'm sure it will be a useful resource for many upcoming projects that change lifes of people with disabilities in Colombia.
Thanks a lot to JICA and Japanese people for their teachings and support.
I wish the best in New Year to all of you. Peace, love and happiness for everyone !
Best Regards,
FABIO PADILLA
Ex-participant JICA Leadership course
Bogota, Colombia
Posted by jicafriends at 03:46 PM | Comments (0)
Media empowerment for the disabled in Laos
Visit link below
Mr. Singxay
ICT Training for people with visually impaired.
Laos
Posted by jicafriends at 03:38 PM | Comments (0)
From Lao Disabled People Association
Dear All Jica Friends,
LDPA = Lao Disabled People Association
HIB = Handicap International Belgium( office in Vientiane capital, Laos.)
I am Khamsone LOKHAM Mr. Former
[Vocational Rehab. and Empoyment Promotion of persons with disabilities year 2007]
For your information.
After I have returned to my home country by end of June06
Ihad been invited by the HIB to participate the workshop of employment opportunity for PWDs in my city Vientiane on Aug14,07.
For EO project was organized by HIB and LDPA is the partnership,
Project Start: Jan2008
Target group and benificiary: PWDs and poorest, lacking access to services, education, training and employments.
Target area/benificiary: Vientiane Capital (668) and Vientiane Province (885).
plus with 14 self-help group (140 members)
Period project: 2008-2010
fro more detail I will inform Jicafriends by next month once the project start.
Thank you for your kind attention.
With bet regards
Merry Chrismas/Happy new year.
Khamsone LOKHAM
Posted by jicafriends at 03:22 PM | Comments (0)
December 11, 2007
Report from Singxay-Laos
Dear jicafriends,
I am now managing the Braille text book production making for blind people in Laos. Next month we will go to Savannakhet and Xiengkhuang Province to promote education and ICT for the blind people.
Regards,
Posted by jicafriends at 09:05 PM | Comments (0)
December 03, 2007
Good news from Fabio-Colombia
INTERNATIONAL WHEELCHAIR TENNIS TOURNAMENT IN COLOMBIA AND NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS NETWORK
Fabio PADILLA
At this point of the year the projects are very well oriented, basic resources are in place and promotion with media is growing. Many people interested in attending and an effective interaction between Volunteers and Tournament projects has improved impact and give us the chance to save resources and time.
INTERNATIONAL WHEELCHAIR TENNIS TOURNAMENT
As usual is better by points :
1. After the whole initial troublesome process of tournament organization in Bogota, I invited more people and other Foundations to get involved and finally a team has been working better, not the event will be held in Cali. Less meetings and more job. Organizers team is composed by :
* Professor SIGIFREDO HIDALGO (Captain of Colombian Tennis Junior Team and experienced coach from Los Farallones Club in Cali)
* FABIO PADILLA (Wheelchair tennis player and promoter – ITF contact)
* CLUB DEPORTIVO RUEDAS MAGICAS
* FUNDACIÓN NUEVOS HORIZONTES
* FUNDACIÓN ARCANGELES
2. As I was traveling by Brazil I had to keep coordinating the project mainly by email and take some important decisions on my own in order to have the project going on. So I prepared a new proposal for sponsors based on Cali's tournament, chose the tournament's logo and so on... in this case no democracy but faster results (Logos options were prepared by publicist of Arcangeles Foundation)
3. Constant communication with Sigifredo in Cali gave me confidence on tournament success. He has a very particular style of work, not very email or internet oriented, usually very busy in his tennis world but very well connected with potential sponsors in Cali. So working with him is a challenge because we agree and coordinate everything mainly by phone, so I am the one making records, putting things on paper and giving him reminders of rules, deadlines, or present situation. His experience organizing tournaments and the support of Los Farallones Club Campestre for the tournament are instrumental.
Posted by jicafriends at 05:50 PM | Comments (0)
November 30, 2007
Good news from Shalika-Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Council for the Blind - the Premier and Principal Service Provider for the Vision Impaired Community of Sri Lanka proposed to the Ministry of Social Service and Social Welfare to issue some sort of recognised and valid identification to all PWDs. This action was initiated by me after I witnessed the facilities afforded to PWDs in Japan during my training last year. This has been placed before the Plenary of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities for ratification. In the meanwhile, we are in the process of designing a special ID card. I am grateful to the secretariat of jicafriedns for helping me in collecting data on the Japanese Certificate of Disability. Hopefully by next year, we too will have an ID card. We are keeping our fingers crossed.
Shalika Karunaratne
Member - Executive Committee, SLCB
Former participant - Leaders Course
Posted by jicafriends at 06:45 PM | Comments (0)
Good news from Swee Lan-Malaysia
Dear jicafriends,
There are many good news to share with you:
1. My dissertation/research on self-advocacy movement in malaysia is now available for reading in http://www.unitedvoice.com.my/ysl_dissertation.pdf
2. The Embassy of Japan has decided to give United Voice a grant of US$6000+ to buy a ommercial colour printer, name card cutter and a refrigerator for the expansion of our Employment Project Business. We will be getting the cheque next week.
3. I was sent by JICA Malaysia to support 2 self-advocates of UV to attend :
Event: Regional Workshop on the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families in Asia and the Pacific
Organiser: UN ESCAP & CDPF (China Disabled People Federation)
Date: 11-13 Oct 2007
Venue: Shanghai
Website: http://www.worldenable.net/shanghai2007/
Outcome of the workshop: Shanghai Recommendation
Will post our latest newsletter with report on this event in our website soon.
Regards,
Swee Lan
Posted by jicafriends at 10:11 AM | Comments (0)
November 15, 2007
Website for LDPA (Lao Disabled People's Association)
Mr. Singxay LOR, Vocational Course 2006 is now running IT workshop in Lao PDR. He was requested to establish a website for LDPA.. Please visit the following site.
http://www.ldpalaos.org/
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 05:07 PM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2007
From Sheraz-Pakistan
I want to discuss the difficulties which I am facing. In Governmental organizations the students are getting some money as stipend but due to limited funds the NGO can not give any stipend so the parents are reluctant to send their childern. With great concern I am writing that 3 students have left the class. Moreover they are also keen for the future job opportunities after getting the training.
The teacher also got the 3 days training in Governmental institute.
The good thing is that the program is running successfully with remaining students.I will send photographs of the class activities soon.
Best regards
Sheraz Anwar Cheema
(Vocational Rehab. Course 2007)
Posted by jicafriends at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2007
Message form Cecilia-Malaysia
Hai, I am glad to hear that the leardeship course will be held in september 25th. All the best to them
Cecilia
Vocational Rehab. Course 2005
Posted by jicafriends at 06:07 PM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2007
From Sarin Chan
A House Full of Hope and Smiles
Srey Leap is a playful, smiley and energetic little girl who loves to learn. Every morning she reminds her father that, ‘Its time for me to go to the House of Smiles school Dad!’ and every afternoon she asks her teacher for more homework.
Srey Leap was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that permanently affects body movement, posture and muscle coordination. Srey tried to take her notebook and start at the government school but the principle sent her home saying they had no methodology to train her. Educational opportunities for Srey were nearly impossible until House of Smiles found her.
Opportunities for children with disabilities in Cambodia are very limited and they are often severely discriminated against. Many people and children in Srey’s community do not want to speak or play with her and refer to her as the crazy kid. Many Cambodians believe that disabilities are contagious and a deserved karmic consequence of wrongs committed in a previous life.
When Hagar staff told Srey’s Mother and Father about the House of Smiles they were happy and interested. Even though they are very poor, Srey’s father sacrifices part of his small income to pay for her transportation to and from the House of Smiles.
Srey’s parents also participate in monthly parent community training sessions held at the House of Smiles to facilitate better community understanding and parental care of children with disabilities. Srey’s father comes every month and gives feedback, he comments on Srey's achievements in school work as well as her improvements in personal hygiene and life skills.
Today Srey Leap is part of a loving and friendly community. She is thriving, learning and making friends with other community children. She loves playing dress-up, smiling with lipstick and would like to have her own beauty salon when she grows up.
House of Smiles is one of the few organizations in Cambodia that provides physical therapy, emotional development, and life skills vocational training for children with disabilities. Hagar assesses each child's needs and challenges them to reach their full potential through a combination of specialized care and engaging the community to fully integrate and support their lives.
Currently the House of Smiles facility is very old, frequently flooded and crammed with overlapping demands of educators, therapy, respite care, administrative and residential functions. Hagar has designed a new facility and is raising funds for its construction. This is a purpose built facility for the recovery, therapeutic, educational and respite care of children with multiple or severe disabilities as well as the administrative and training center for a network of community centers around Cambodia.
Join the House of Smiles family and partner with us in helping more children like Srey Leap grow, learn and thrive in their community.
Click Here --- To make a donation for needed HOS school materials, books, computers, desks and a program vehicle.
http://www.hagarinternational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=36
Click Here --- To learn more about what you can do to support the construction of the new House of Smiles Center.
http://www.hagarinternational.org/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=14&func=fileinfo&id=32
Posted by jicafriends at 12:22 PM | Comments (0)
September 04, 2007
From Rama - Nepal
Dear Jica Committee
i am Rama Dhakal from nepal Disabled Women Association. According to my Action Plan i am talking with Government Affilated organisation about computer training for women with disabilities. and they are agree with me . we are going to start this program within the november. All of you know the situation of our country . our country are going to do constitutional assembly in november. so we decided to do after finishing that. i will let you know you. Thanking you.
Rama Dhakal
Nepal
Posted by jicafriends at 10:29 AM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2007
From Lyazzat-Kazakhstan
Dear jicafriends,
I presented my action plan to my organization. Now we're working on financial support for it. Hope we will find money by the end of this year.
Yesterday our organization and State Library for Blind organized a press conference about Parkhat (8th Duskin Leadership Trainee) and my study in Japan. It was held in this Library. There were 2 speakers (Parkhat and me), then 2 guests from Light House, Japan (Parkhat's friends), 2 TV channels, 3 newspapers and magazines, representative from Kazakhstan-Japanese Centre in Almaty and PDWs.
First, we described the programs we participated, then we answered questions showing some pictures and materials. And now all day long our TV channels are showing this press-conference.
As for me, I liked questions which were asked by PWDs. And we tried to explain that PWDs in different countries are the same, but policy, legislation and great effort of PWDs theirselves make their lives fullfil and equal.
Lyazzat
Posted by jicafriends at 06:22 PM | Comments (1)
August 20, 2007
From Sheraz-Pakistan
Konnichiwa and hello to jicafriends' secretariat
How are you? I hope you will be alright and busy in your work as usual. I am very sorry to hear about the earthquake in your country. We can minimize the effects but can not stop natural disasters.
Now I want to discuss the implementation of my action plan. I am sorry that I am behind the schedule because motivation and preparation of class room took longer than expected time.
On 13-07-07 a meeting was held with the president and he principally agreed to implement the action plan suggested by me. So on 08-08-2007 a detailed presentation was made to the staff of Care and Hope an NGO (Rehmat foundation).
Subsequently the classes for the rehabilitation of disabled are commenced at 10-8-2007 and 08 students are attending the classes.
I will remain in touch and will send you the progress reports prepared on daily basis and the photographs of the class activities.
Best regards
Sheraz Anwar Cheema (Vocational Rehab. Course 2007)
Posted by jicafriends at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2007
From Donna -Philippines
Love Conquers All
Indeed, love knows no bound. It conquers all.
This was proven true by six (6) couples of persons with disabilities, who, one memorable afternoon, chose to say “I do” to each other to solemnize their marriage vows - to cherish and to hold, to love and to serve, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do they part.
Witnessed and shared by families and friends, the mass wedding of six couples of persons with disabilities was just a testimony that persons with disabilities are no exemptions to love and to be loved. For persons with disabilities can choose to have their own families and raise their own children.
Love is not blind. Love sees it all - the limitations, the disability. But love just embraces it all.
The mass wedding was facilitated by the Association of Disabled Persons – Iloilo .
donnabelle – Philippines
Leaders Course 2005
Posted by jicafriends at 04:03 PM | Comments (1)
August 07, 2007
From Bing-quan-China
Dear jicafriends,
The last week I had finished the progress report. I don't know whether it fit JICA's requrement. And I want to sent the report submitted to CDPF (China Disabled Persons' Federetion) and the paper pubulished in a magazine named DISABILITY IN CHINA to JICA though it is still Chinese version. I will do my best to translate the paper into English and then sent to you, though, as you know, it is a little difficult for me to translate it into English.
Peng Bing-quan
(Ledership Development Course 2006)
http://jicafriends.jp/leaders/pdf/l2006finalchina0101.pdf
Posted by jicafriends at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)
August 01, 2007
Report from Singxay-Laos
Dear jicafriends,
Sorry for very late sending you the Pictures of ICT training.
the pictures are included the Handover Certicate and Party ceremony
The training was very successful.
Best Regards,
Singxay Lor
Posted by jicafriends at 05:33 PM | Comments (0)
Report from Donna -Philippines
Reaching Boracay Island on a Wheelchair
The Sub-Committee on Accessibility of the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, chaired by the Department of Public Works and Highways and with members coming from other line agencies, conducted an accessibility monitoring in the Island of Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines. Boracay Island is one of the famous beaches and tourist destinations not only in the Philippines but in the whole world.
It was such an unforgettable experience to reach the island aboard one’s wheelchair. Not minding the difficulty of traveling, the distance plus the scorching heat of the sun just to advocate for an accessible and PWD-friendly island.
Since the island is a tourist destination, it must be accessible to persons with disabilities. We monitored five (5) popular hotels in the island to check if they follow the provisions of the Batas Pambansa 344 otherwise known as the Accessibility Law. Some have accessibility features yet others fall short of the required standard and some simply failed to comply.
Despite all the odds, our advocacy efforts for an accessible and PWD-friendly Philippines will continue. Filipino Persons With Disabilities are all worth it.
donnabelle - Philippines
Leaders Course 2005
Posted by jicafriends at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)
July 18, 2007
Report from Laos-Singxay Lor
Dear jicafriends,
This week and next week, we IT workshop members are organising an ICT Training for Blind People. We have Bee Songkran the IT instructor from Thailand assist us.
This time We have 6 blind participants. They are very happy to learn Computer and Enjoy internet. They said Internet make them feel reducing their visual impairment. We are happy to hear that.
I will send you the training pictures later.
Best regards,
Singxay Lor
(Vocational Rehab. Course 2006)
Posted by jicafriends at 04:06 PM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2007
Report form Laos-Kemphone san
Dear JICA friends
I hope that you are remember me (I’m khemphone Sengkongdala Leadership development of Person with disabilities 2006)
After I got new job at HIB, I’m follow looking JICA web all the time.
My position is Assistant CBR project; I’m responsibility for Vocational training at Lao COCO and Lao Korea.
I’m continued to help and find person with disabilities come to training and get a job.
I saw all of you I knew in Japan and it is make me think back I learned a lot from all of you in Japan and it is make me think of all of you very much, I remember one thing teaches me to break the box, Tell Ikezumi san I break the box already but it is not strong enough right now. I need support to be make me strong in the future.
O.K sees you by JICA web
Kemphone sengkongdala
Posted by jicafriends at 10:27 AM | Comments (0)
July 09, 2007
Report from MIchael-Ghana
Dear JICAfriends,
The Volunteer is doing well.
We presented the proposal to the JICA office in Ghana but they said that JICA can not support the poultry project because of the bird flu in Africa,
We have decided to rear pigs which is also an income generating venture.
Please you can contact the Volunteer to know more of his work.
Posted by jicafriends at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2007
Hello from Iloilo, the Philippines
Dear jicafriends,
How's everyone out there? Though i was not able to keep in touch for a period of time but I have been visiting JICA friends almost everyday. I am so impressed by the training on vocational rehabilitation. Nice to learn about employment of PWDs in Japan. Actually we have a proposal for Employers Forum to advocate for the hiring of qualified PWDs particularly in private establishments in the City of Iloilo. I'll be sending you of some developments soon. Please pray for me that this endeavor will be fruitful, that there will be positive response from employers especially those in the business sector.
Donna (Leaders' Course 2005)
Posted by jicafriends at 06:20 PM | Comments (0)
June 13, 2007
Our visit to Oita Prefecture
when we visit to oita prefacture courtesy visit to Governor i was impressed by his speech. he mention about that oita is the best place for pwds. and this oita prefacture they are succeed to get employment for pwds higher than quota. next year they are going to organise wheelchair race for pwds . this event will encourage to participate in social movement.i would like to give thanks to governor to give us time and also for the sending of picture for all participants.
Rama Dhakal(TIC)
Nepal
Posted by jicafriends at 03:04 PM | Comments (0)
Japan Sun Industries
when i visited in japan sun industries i saw that many spinal cord injury people getting job and they are in very high level.they are earning very high level money with their skill. they r not taking pension from government.i really impressed that they r paying all the taxes . so i found that japanese pwds are equally developing their countries. another thing when i saw the movie" winning pass" it was the real character of pwds so we cry lots. and when we went to play wheelchair twin basketball i was impressed by the wheelchair of basket ball and we r very much enjoyed it.what i learned is nothing is impossible for pwds if there is enviormental free barrier and attitudional free barrier. i would like to give thanks to japan sun industries to providing job oppurtinity to physical and sever disabled also. i hope in near future this industries will succed in giving job oppertunity for deaf and blind person.'NOT PITY,NOT SYMPATHY BUT GIVE THEM CHANCE FOR PWDS'.Thanking very much!
.
Rama Dhakal
Nepal
Posted by jicafriends at 02:37 PM | Comments (0)
May 30, 2007
Report from Ghana
Dear jicafriends,
A JICA Volunteer is doing a good work. He is now considering how our poultry project could be re-established. He is very respectful and humble. I like working with him.
He is also smart to learning the local language. He can now communicate with our people in the local language. I hope that he will send you the report when he finishes. We have also shown him our new land that we got from the chief, and is yet to be developed.
How are you, my friends? I am doing well. Greetings to you all.
Michael Kweku Ocran
Posted by jicafriends at 01:53 PM | Comments (0)
May 28, 2007
Some news from Colombia
Hello Japanese Friends and Friends from Japan !
I hope you all are OK and doing well.
I was recently in a tour by southamerica playing some tournaments with very good results: I was champion in doubles second draw in Chile (partner from Brazil) and also in Argentina (partner from Spain), and got to quarter finals in singles in Florida Open (USA) and also in Chile, defeating in USA to player 97 of international ranking. (attached some photos)
One month traveling by southamerica and visiting nice places in Brazil because they cancelled their tournament at last moment. No complaints of course!
Now I'm in Colombia again working hard for the international tournament.. very hard to find sponsors but I'm working together with a Foundation that is also interested in work promotion for people with disabilities (so I shared with them all the info I got from Japan).
Volunteers network still dificult to organize and I'm not sure if I'm going to receive the support from JICA (I applied in March but not sure how it is going).
I got the promise of some financial support from ITF (International Tennis Federation) for national junior camp, planned to be held alogside the international tournament at least for 10 kids.
So I'll keep working on this and expecting the best from it (Tournament and junior camp are planned for August 2 - 5 and I expect to have 55 players: 40 nationals and 15 from other countries).
Wish you the best of luck in your projects.
Receive a warm hug from your Colombian friend.
FABIO PADILLA
Bogota, Colombia
Posted by jicafriends at 08:19 PM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2007
Costa Rican vs. Japanese society: from a wheelchair user perspective.
Andrea Vargas Carmiol
(Leadership Development Course 2006)
I could not describe how wonderful was my experience in Japan. As a wheel chair user, I can say that Japanese people with disabilities have a very different quality of life from Costa Ricans. In the two months I stayed in Tokyo, I could go anywhere just by using the subways. In every station there were elevators, and different devices to get wheelchair users up and down. Every subway company has portable ramps, and they put them in the train when a person requests it. On the contrary, wheelchair users in Costa Rica cannot yet use an effective public transportation. Therefore, we are forced to use a taxi to go from one place to another. This situation limits our possibilities of recreation because taxis are extremely expensive. In Japan, there were accessible toilets and ramps everywhere. The concept of “Universal Design” (devices designed to be used for all people in society) is well-known and promoted; there were Braille language in all the places, talking devices and sign language when it was needed. In our country, we hardly find elevators and ramps in the buildings or even worse ramps are dangerous and elevators are not working. In general terms, Japanese people with disabilities have access to a good welfare; for instance, if they can not work because of their kind of disability, they receive two pensions; one from the municipality and another one from the national government which permits them to cover their basic needs. This social welfare includes also the payment of structural modifications in their homes, the cost of technical devices such as wheelchair batteries, chargers, crashes, etc. Regarding the welfare, the most outstanding advantage that I found there is that people with disabilities in Japan are paid their personal assistant. They have the right to get 24 hours of assistance for free if they need it. Each personal assistant has rights and responsibilities as any other worker. For a person with disabilities, having a personal assistant means his or her independence and participation in the community. On the other hand, people with disabilities in Costa Rica are still considered not capable beings for the society. In most of the cases, we are forced to live with our parents all the life because of the lack of real chances to be independent. The lack of job opportunities, accessible public transportation, and a friendly environment are strong limitations for Costa Rican people with disabilities to develop in our community. I conclude for what I found in Japan, that people with disabilities can change stereotypes if we demand our rights and work together to get them.
Posted by jicafriends at 12:39 PM | Comments (0)
February 05, 2007
If Others Can, Why Can't Persons With Disabilities
Persons with disabilities are persons with abilities, packed with potentials just waiting to be discovered and developed. The challenge is making the most of one's ability rather than focusing on his disability and limitation.
Equipping persons with disabilities the necessary skills is one way of empowering them to become productive individuals. Seeing one's skills contributing not just to one's own personal development but to the growth of the organization can boost one's self-esteem. It makes a great difference knowing you have discovered one of your talents and potentials and turning it into something useful and profitable.
This was proven true when eighteen persons with disabilities were trained on baking and food processing during a four-day skills training sponsored by the Department of Labor and Employment, with the Association of Differently-Abled Persons - Iloilo Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ADP-I MPC) as recipient-organization. Indeed, differently-abled persons could differently develop skills and abilities in the midst of their physical limitations given the opportunity.
It is another dream coming true on the part of the Association of Differently-Abled Persons Iloilo Multi-Purpose Cooperative to produce and sell its own products. This time, the organization is not just producing mobility devices, school chairs and lettuce but also bread, cakes, pastries, cookies and processed meat products. All produced by persons with disabilities who have chosen to overcome and let go of their handicap to gain skills and develop talents beyond one's expectations.
The skills training is one component of the program of the Department of Labor and Employment for persons with disabilities.
Donnabelle V. Baldonado
Leaders Course 2005 - Philippines
Posted by jicafriends at 02:08 PM | Comments (1)