November 29, 2011
ARCHITECT DOCTOR EDUARDO ELKOUSS IN CHILE
ARCHITECT DOCTOR EDUARDO ELKOUSS IN CHILE.
Doctor Elkouss is a world famous architect.
He is a member of the International inclusive architectural group “Architecture for all”.
As a specialist of universal accessibility, Doctor Elkouss has participated in the efforts of “inclusive rebuilding” in Chile.
He participated in the UIA 2011 Tokyo World Congress with a poster called “Natural Disasters in Chile and their Prevention in the next Decades from a Inclusive Design’s Point of View”.
As part of the efforts of creating a comprehensive system of Disaster negative effects reduction on People with Disabilities, he visited Chile. He held several meetings.
He visited Peñaflor Town. Peñaflor Town is a certificated member of the Safe Community Network . Doctor Elkuss held a meeting with Peñaflor Town mayor Mr. Manuel Fuentes.
In the picture from left to right: Mayor Fuentes, Doctor Elkouss and Professor Kaiser.
Doctor Elkouss visited an especial school for people with cognitive and locomotive disabilities called “Alegría de Vivir”. Doctor Elkouss was very impressed with an emergency evacuation drill performed by the school. Students were evacuated to its safe zone in a less than one minute and a half.
In the picture: students, their teachers, Dr. Elkouss, School Principal, Municipality Emergency Directo Mr. Jorquera and Professor Kaiser.
After visiting the School, Dr. Elkouss was introduced to police air ambulance system.
In the picture from left to right: Mr. Jorquera, a police pilot, Dr. Elkouss, Paramedics, Professor Kaiser and Helicopter crew.
Dr. Elkouss last meeting was held in Santiago with the Chilean Municipal Association and the Architect Association.
As a conclusion of Dr. Elkouss visit, the following agreements were reached:
1) In June an international seminar on universal accessibility will be held on Santiago, Chile. Its goal is to start a community base program of universal accessibility.
2) Dr. Elkouss will make designs for universal accessible emergency housing.
Posted by jicafriends at 03:09 PM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2011
First Disabilities and Social Inclusion Congress, Mar del Plata Argentina
First Disabilities and Social Inclusion Congress, Mar del Plata Argentina.
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla, who participated in the 2003 Leadership training program, was invited to be a lecturer on a very important International Congress in the marvelous neighbor country of Argentina.
As a Chilean, it was a great pleasure to work with my Argentinean brothers, fighting for People with disabilities rights.
Argentina is a federal country, Buenos Aires Province Gobernor is a person with disabilities his name is Daniel Scioli. He commanded his government to make Buenos Aires Province a place with equal opportunities for all.
His lecture was about Independent Living and Public Policies. There were more than 3,250 people on this Congress. We are uniting effort to create Inclusive America.
Posted by jicafriends at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2011
Report from Mr. Fabio PADILLA -Leadership Course 2006
Below is a message from Mr. Fabio Padilla, a former participant in the 2006 Leadership Tarining Program.
Hello jicafriends!
This to share some news with you:
1. I just started a professional certification program in Harvard - Extension School, doing it on-line meanwhile (with lots of interactions through video, chat, webinars, etc.) and planning to go to Cambridge next year. The program is SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, and the idea is to apply for a Master Program next year (fulfilling other requirements and documents). Big challenge, with many things to do and read, but I'm enjoying it a lot.
2. I recently started the Brasilian Tennis Federation - Wheelchair Tennis Director. That's why I want to asked about training possibilities with JICA in Japan, as you know, I would love not only to go back but also to have the chance of being a lecturer or directing some training sessions for some of your courses or with any other organizations you may know in Asia.
Here's my most recent video on YouTube, FABIO PADILLA - Palestrante "bacana" - Cadeirante que pode Voar!!!
("Cool" Speaker. Wheelchair guy that can fly!!!)
I made it for Brazilian portuguese speaking people, but mos of it is in spanish. I will translate it to english soon. (Images help to understand)
I'll wait for your comments or suggestions.
Warm hugs,
--
Fabio
Posted by jicafriends at 10:44 AM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2011
Seminar on independent living of persons with disability at Anderas Bello University, Chile
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla, who participated in the 2003 Leadership training program, delivered a lecture on independent living of persons with disabilities at at Andreas Bello University, Chile, on September 3, 2011. His speech took place at the seminar organized by Prof. Alan Martinez, who is also a former trainee of a JICA program and is a great physical therapist.
Carlos comments, “I got to talk about Independent Living. It was a pleasure and a great honor. I talked about the importance of decision making, the great opportunity of building up a fair society.”
Posted by jicafriends at 04:36 PM | Comments (0)
September 06, 2011
What independence means to the disabled-Malaysia
We found the following article about United Voice, where the two former participants, Ms. Swee Lan Yeo (Vocational Rehab. 2006) and Ms. Moh Foong Yeong (Decent 2009) work actively for persons with learning disabilities.
It was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
The Star online/ Monday August 29, 2011)
JOHARI Jamali has been president of United Voice, the first self-advocacy society in the country for the people with learning disabilities since its formation in 2004.
I often refer to him as the CEO, and his down-to-earth and humble approach in leading endears him to all who know him.
He recognises that "gaining independence" from Dignity and Services, the parent advocacy movement, that spun off UV some seven years ago, was a big step forward, but there is much work to be done.
As we celebrate our 54th Merdeka Day this Wednesday, I am reminded that independence means different things to different people.
For Johari and members of UV, the freedom to be able to speak out for themselves and to chart their own destiny is truely empowering.
Said Johari: "I would like to see Malaysian education system encourage students, with and without disabilities, to be more outspoken about their future.
"People with learning disabilities should be more confident when spealing out at public forums, preparing for job interviews and fighting for their rights."
This is what their Merdeka is about. Now they can mind their own bank accounts, conduct their own elections and even call their own press conferences. The "non-disabled" friends of UV keep a healthy distance and never intervene.
I have seen Johari grown in confidence and stature through the years. He not only understands the issues that affect people with learning disabilities, but is also able to look beyond his immediate niche group.
In a way he reminds me that freedom for oneself is meaningless if we do not also see how that freedom afects others.
Consider, for example, why disabled groups had to stage a protest last week to remind the aouthorities that aerobridges are necessary at the new low-cost carrie terminal at the KL International Airport or KLIA2.
When I asked Johari about his thought for Merdeka Day, his remarks were forthright: "I want to see more changes among Malaysians so they won't stick with one race. I want the Government to consider our race as Malaysian, not Malay, Chinese, Indian Eurasian, etc."
If you have attended any of the UV activities, you can understand why. The members suffer from disabilities such as Global Developmental Delay, Down's Syndrome, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cerebral palsy, but they are together as one.
The only time I hear race mentioned is when they are doing an obstacle race,one of the many fun activities they have when they gather to encourage andlearn from each other.
Although he has experienced some form of independence, which many of us often take for granted, Johari also has his dreams to go further. "I wish I could further my studies and get a job that will also allow me to gain overseas exposure as well. Now I am a receptionist at an audit company but I want to do more than just answer calls."
In his role as president of UV, Johari has been to numerous conferences overseas where he not only talks about the Malaysian situation but learns what other countries have done to fully include the disabled into the society.
Having just attended one such conference in Geelong, Australia, Johari hopes that all Malaysians with learning disabilities one day be able to further their education in vocational training centers and universities.
And that Corporate Malaysia will also do more to hire them. Real independence, after all, is not about charity, but getting a real salary so that they can persue their own dreams.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/8/29/business/9388987&sec=business
Posted by jicafriends at 09:41 AM | Comments (0)
September 05, 2011
First Leadership Training of Family Member of Persons with Disabilities– Joint Training for Lady Health Workers and Primary School Teachers – Pakistan
August 15-20, 2011
A STAR (Abbottabad Social participation Through Awareness Raising) Project in Pakistan has conducted four leadership training programs for persons with disabilities and their family members. However, the participation rate of family members has been significantly low, which has achieved no formation of family group so far. To improve the situation, a leadership training of family members was planned and conducted on Aug. 15–20, 2011, for six days. This training targeted not only family members of persons with disabilities living in six Union Councils in the region of Abbottabad, but also Lady Health Workers and Govt. Primary School Teachers as local resources. The program of the training was as follows:
Day One
- A STAR Project Briefing
- Objective of the Training
- What is Disability?
Day Two
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Disability-related Law and Policy
Day Three
- Seven Habits
- Role Model of Family Members
Day Four
- Role Model of Persons with Disabilities
Day Five
- Disability Model
- Social Participation of Persons with Disabilities and Role of Family Members
Day Six
- Action Plan
- Review
Ms. Nuzhat and Ms. Aftab Alam, who are former participants in the Leadership Training Courses in 2009 and 2010 respectively, acted as Facilitator in this event. Both of them work as staff members of the STAR project while having separate means of earning income – Mr. Alam works for Pakistan International Airlines while Ms. Nuzhat works for the Pakistani government. On completion of training in Japan, each of them designed a project on empowering persons with disabilities in Pakistan: Mr. Alam planned to transmit leadership skills and knowledge to community leaders and their families, and Mr. Nuzhat focused on women with physical/intellectual disabilities who would learn embroidery skills as vocational training.
Posted by jicafriends at 02:31 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2011
Progress report from Jake san-Zimbabwe
Dear jicafriends,
Very very good to get to inform you that I am well and the project is progressing.
I am often out of town and whn am in town the electricity is often erratic.
However, I am progressing steadly with Go Green Honey.
I met a Chief Seke for the land and he is consulting his council
but he promised me he will give us a place.
We like his place because it is just about 45km from Harare(capital city).
My organisation has been so excited with my knowledge development since I came back.
This has resulted in our president Mrs Farai Cherera sending me to outposts assignments since
December.
Thank you for your information. Zimbabwean PWD movement is benefiting and I am unable to stop imparting the knowledge at every opportunity.
Go Green Honey http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/pdf/l2010projectzimbabwe0101.pdf has been improved a lot to include more of the Empowerment(GO) themes as it was deemed by the Board that subjects as Peer Counselling and Disabled Rights do play a very very important role in the self- establishment of our members, just equally as financial resources.
So in this respect please, it is necessary that you share more information on these issues with us. Thanks to that magazine on PWD employment, we are modeling our concept very much along it.
Please inform all my lecturers and everybody who does remember me that i have them at heart, my regards especially to Choral people.
I shall email all my friends there when i get the chance to be settled back in town again.
Please accept my belated condolences over the earthquake victims over almost 5 months ago.
My heart bled, because i like Japan people. You treated and taught me so well. God Bless you all.
Jake san
Leadership Development Course 2010
Posted by jicafriends at 01:47 PM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2011
Information from Carlos - Call for entries for Annual publication of the Faculty of Health and Physical Activity Sciences - Chile
Dear Jica friends,
it is a great pleasure for me to invited all of you o publish in the public healt magazine Vitae et Scientia (Life and Science) this magazine is an Annual publication of the Faculty of Health and Physical Activity Sciences of International University SEK. I had the great honor to be its Director
(PDF 73KB)
--
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Posted by jicafriends at 08:03 PM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2011
"Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through Peer Support" -5-
March 6, 2011
Workshop Day Three
The last day of the workshop at the Alatau Sanatorium, Almaty continued to receive ardent reactions from the young leaders. In group discussions they contemplated the idea of independent living, and then enjoyed following a day of Mr. Hata’s life on screen.
《Morning Session》
1. Today’s New and Goods (talking about what have happened since yesterday evening)
2. Learning the situation in Japan I (watching a documentary film, “A Day of Mr. Hata”) featuring an everyday life of a young man with disability living in Hyogo, Japan)
Lunch Break
《Afternoon Session》
3. Learning the situation in Japan II (historical and current welfare services for persons with disabilities in Japan)
4. Group discussion II (the participants divided into three groups talked about what should be done in order to improve circumstances for persons with disabilities in Kazakhstan).
5. Q&A session
6. Appreciation session (the participants thanked one another to mark a positive ending of the event – applying the peer counseling technique).
During the lunch break, Ms. Kassiyet Omarova, the workshop organizer, was interviewed by the media together with Ms. Masako Okuhira and Mr. Dai Okita.
In the afternoon, the participants learned about the development of welfare services for persons with disabilities in Japan, realizing that their own country potentially has a bright future as a disability-friendly society, and that this would to a large extent depend on themselves.
The participants impressed the facilitators with their enthusiasm, but were reminded that they were only at the start of the long journey. The young people were encouraged to involve their fellow friends living in the remote areas and build strong networks in order to change the society in Kazakhstan.
The three-day workshop ended with a great success. Fourteen young leaders with disabilities received the workshop completion certificates from Mr. Tetsuji Nishikawa of the JICA Astana Office.
Before ending the closing ceremony the fourteen participants including two Japanese facilitators expressed their heartfelt appreciation to their Japanese-Russian interpreters, Mr. Besengali Kenesari and Ms.Aliya Chingishpayeva for their close cooperation.
Ms. Kassiyet Omarova, the former participant of JICA leadership development course 2009 and the organizer of the whole event, demonstrated not only her excellent management skills but also how committed she was to changing the Kazakh society towards disability-friendly one. Hopefully she will continue to develop networks across the country and receive a lot of support in achieving her goals.
Posted by jicafriends at 06:13 AM | Comments (0)
"Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through Peer Support" -4-
March 5, 2011
Workshop Day Two
The second day of the workshop started with 13 participants and generated
vigorous discussions with guidance from the facilitators. There was laughter
too, which showed the friendliness among the young people, and indeed
conversations continued well into the breaks. The schedule of the day is
shown below:
《Morning Session》
1. Reporting New and Goods (reviewing things that happened from last night to this morning)
2. Studying the relationship between the client and the counselor and things to note.
3. All-room discussion II (“what do you think about disability?”)
Lunch break
《Afternoon Session》
4. All-room discussion III (“how can we create a society wherein we can live without being conscious of disability?”)
5. Q&A session
6. Group discussion I (participants discussed in two group what should be done in order to improve circumstances for persons with disabilities in Kazakhstan)
Both facilitators have positively evaluated the attitudes of the participants, who keenly referred to their own opinions and were open to new ideas. Also, today’s discussion topics included romance and relationships, wherein the participants had opportunity to share issues as young people and gain peer support.
Posted by jicafriends at 06:06 AM | Comments (0)
"Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through Peer Support" -3-
Before you read the report -3-, please reread the following reports.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/kazakhstan/l2009kassiyet/006.html
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/kazakhstan/l2009kassiyet/007.html
March 4, 2011
Workshop Day One：
Following yesterday’s symposium, the three-day workshop to empower young
people with disabilities began today at the Alatau Sanatorium, Almaty. It
was attended by 15 people from various organizations such as the Braille
Library, a youth organization, and a women’s association. They also had a
disability of different types. Ms. Masako Okuhira of the JSRPD and Mr. Dai
Okita of the Mainstream Association jointly acted as the facilitators.
Below is the schedule of the day:
《Morning Session》
1. Self-introduction by all participants
2. Making a name card with a preferred name on
3. One-to-one greeting among the participants
4. Introduction to the concepts of peer counseling and peer support
5. Practice session (participants conversed in pairs and later introduced their own companion to the others)
Lunch break
《Afternoon Session》
6. Clarifying purposes of peer counseling and learning things to note
7. New and Goods (talking about one’s best and most recent experiences)
8. All-room discussion I (“what do you think about being a human?”)
9. Summary of the day
The participants sat closely to one another from the right start, which created a cozy, friendly atmosphere in the room. They actively participated in discussions and practices.
Posted by jicafriends at 05:41 AM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2011
Trailblazers empower women, disabled-Philippines
Today we found the name, Ms. Adela Avila Kono, former perticipant of Leaders' Course 1989 in the following article. More information about her can be obtained from the following page.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/philippines/002adela/index.html
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development"with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
By Carmel Loise Matus
Cebu Daily News
7:47 am | Monday, August 8th, 2011
“EMPOWERMENT is power in me.”
This, said former Talisay City councilor Shirley Cabanero-Belleza was the motto of her advocacy for Gender and Development (GAD).
Belleza is among the 100 Women Trailblazers cited by the Cebu province who excelled in their fields of endeavor. Their photos are on exhibit in the Capitol building. Belleza said the recognition is “a great honor.” The three-term councilor is known for pushing the GAD Code in Talisay City despite opposition from council colleagues. Belleza’s term as councilor ended in June 2010.
After that, Belleza took and finished her masters degree in speech pathology at a university in Cebu City.
Her advocacies for women and children did not stop when she left politics. “We don’t need a position in government to serve the people, right?” Belleza once said. Belleza now works for the Cebu province as consultant for women development programs. For her, happiness means inspiring these women. “Its nice to inspire them,” she said. Before entering politics, she launched the “mass wedding” program for indigent couples.
In 1998, she used her own money to fund the weddings of five couples. “I did this because there are children who have no birth certificates because their parents weren’t officially united under the sacrament of matrimony,” Belleza said. She said she continued this program when she was elected councilor. Belleza said it was good for the children, who would benefit from the Philhealth cards, distributed by City Hal if their parents were married.
Another trailblazer is Adela Avila-Kono.
Kono is a recipient of the 2008 Apolinario Mabini Outstanding Woman with Disability Award.
Recently, she was invited by the Provincial Board to speak about “barrier-free tourism” in line with a proposed ordinance sponsored by PB Member Arleigh Sitoy to make tourist facilities accessible to the physically challenged.
Adela was two and a half years old when she contracted polio, that left her legs almost totally useless. The disease forced her into a life of leg braces, crutches and wheelchairs. Nonetheless, Adela said she pursued her studies. 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 tough using restrooms because the floors were often wet and dangerous for one using crutches.
These 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 in Central Visayas (RCWDP-7) to pursue accessibility monitoring and implement 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. Adela gives advice on the “International Standards of Accessibility” to architects and civil engineers. For her efforts, Adela was given the award by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Malacanang Palace last Aug. 6, 2009.
http://www.jicafriends.net/archives/2008/09/breaking_barrie.html
While there are no monetary rewards for her work, Adela said the “little joys” are enough return, like making “normal” people more sensitive to issues of accessibility. Edison A. Delos Angeles and Doris C. Bongcac
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/38097/trailblazers-empower-women-disabled
Posted by jicafriends at 09:26 AM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2011
Disabled Passengers Fight for Discrimination-Free Travel-Indonesia
We found the name, Rina Prasarani, the former participant of Leaders' Course 2002 in the following article. She had a bad experience last December, but she didn't kept silence, rather stood up for the discrimination against persons with disabilities.
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Fidelis E. Satriastanti | August 07, 2011
Eight months have passed, but the words remain as clear as ever in Rina Prasarani’s head.
“If something happens to you, we will not be responsible,” a Lion Air flight attendant told Rina on a flight from Jakarta to Denpasar in December, as the crew forced her to sign a statement relieving them of any liability because she is blind.
“For me, those words were a threat. It seemed as though they were willing something bad to happen,” said Rina, who lost her sight as a child because of retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative retinal disease.
“It is inappropriate for an airline to say something like that. They are in the service business after all.”
The event prompted what has now become a battle to end discrimination against people with disabilities in the transportation industry. Rina soon made contact with other disabled people, and found that her experience was hardly an isolated case.
Despite regulations and government pledges, she said, people with disabilities are treated like second-class citizens — and not just by airlines.
“There should be officers standing by to guide disabled people, even to the check-in counter,” Rina said. “I once tried to board a plane without any assistance. I ended up stumbling into other people, and when I reached the check-in counter, I could sense that people were staring at me. I felt embarrassed.”
Saharudin Daming, from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), said the entire aviation industry was guilty of ignoring the basic rights of people living with disabilities.
“Even though there are signs of improvement, efforts have been minimal,” he said. “At airports, for example, accessibility [for disabled people] is judged only on the number of wheelchairs provided, which is not supposed to be the only measurement. There are already toilets specifically for disabled people, but the main problem at airports is service from the entrance to the exit.”
While wheelchairs are at times provided, he said, many people still end up having to be carried because of a lack of ramps in airports.
“Airlines, meanwhile, mainly discriminate in the service provided by their staff,” he said. “They don’t have any knowledge about how to treat people with special needs. There is a culture of treating them like a nuisance, which has resulted in unethical behavior, such as lying to get them to sign an illness statement.”
Last week, Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi, said the 2009 Transportation Law mandated special treatment for people with special needs. He called on all transportation operators, specially airlines, to implement the law.
“Disabled people are not ill. They are just the same as us,” he said.
“However, they have some limited abilities and need special attention.
They don’t need to be pitied, but have equal rights and obligations. To fulfill those, we need to provide a service that accommodates their needs.”
Freddy suggested airlines allocate special seats for disabled people. “
There should be special seating for disabled people so they don’t have to sit far from the exits. Whether there are disabled passengers or not, those seats should be available only for them,” he said.
Rina said that people with disabilities were also being discriminated against in terms of access to information. She said there was little quality audio instruction at the airport or on planes.
“Instructions should be more descriptive,” Rina said. “For instance, if they’re talking about life jackets, then they should guide our hands to feel it. Or when pointing out the toilet, don’t say ‘the toilet is over there,’ but rather ‘the toilet is three seats behind you.’ ”
“[Airport officials] are supposed to provide warnings on the floor like the ones in malls or hospitals,” she said. “We can feel different textures with our feet signaling that we are approaching stairs, poles or intersections.”
Rina’s struggle has paved the way for some reform in the industry. Lion Air said that it no longer forced people with disabilities to sign statements, and Sriwijaya Air recently pioneered the use of Braille in its in flight safety information.
Toto Nursatyo, commercial director of Sriwijaya Air, said facilities for disabled people were not new. “We have established procedures to assist [disabled people],” he said. “We have already allocated seats two rows after the doors. However, if there are no disabled people aboard the plane then we sell the seats to others.”
For Rina, however, a change in attitude is more important than just making facilities available. “Whether we mention that we are disabled or not, those chairs need to be available,” she said.
“I still feel very optimistic that things will change, as long as decision makers and trainers are willing to change their perspectives, too,” she said.
“These days, a civilized company with a high profile knows that how it treats its customers will have an effect on profits.”
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/disabled-passengers-fight-for-discrimination-free-travel/457781
Posted by jicafriends at 03:52 PM | Comments (0)
July 27, 2011
CBR REPORT 2010/2011 FROM UGANDA
Dear jica friends;
It has been quite long with out hearing from me. Uganda is good though some
parts of the country are quite dry and hot and some people don't have water
and food.
I hope the good Lord is still protecting you and for my friends in Japan, i
am so sorry for the tragedy that fell in your country.
Allow me share with you my report for the F/Y year ending, 2010/2011 about
the work on Disability in masaka District, Uganda
Lastly, i thank you so much for all the support you are giving the
disability community in the world
Miiro San-Uganda
Posted by jicafriends at 08:29 PM | Comments (0)
July 21, 2011
Brief Report of Workshop on National Policy on Disability, Myanmar (Burma)
Dear our colleagues and friends,
I would like to share a brief information and report of important workshop for persons with disabilities in Myanmar as I also participated as one of participant of the workshop. Please see detail information in below and see some photos in attached file.
Best regards,
Nay Lin Soe (Chairman)
Network for Myanmar Disabled People (NMDP)
Brief Report of Sub-Regional Workshop on National Policy on PWDs in Myanmar
By
Nay Lin Soe (Chairman)
Network for Myanmar Disabled People (NMDP)
“Sub-Regional Workshop on National Policy on PWDs” was held in Nay-pyi-daw, capital city of Myanmar (Burma) from June 27th to 29th 2011. It was mainly organized by Department of social welfare, Myanmar and co-organized by The Leprosy Mission International (TLMI) and Action Aid. It is the first action for developing policy on disability in Myanmar by our government after 1960 and showing the good initiative of the country. About 50-Participants – Representatives from different ministries, Various Local and International NGOs and 6-Disabled representatives from DPOs were attended along the workshop. In addition, special guests from China, Bangladesh, Thailand and Cambodia were also attended in the workshop and shared their experience on developing disability policy in their countries.
The purpose of the workshop was to advocate the government officers on disability issue, to learn experience & lessons from neighbor countries and to get contents for developing policy and law for disabled persons in Myanmar.
The opening remark was given by Deputy Minister of Department of Social Welfare, Myanmar and greeting speeches were given by TLMI and UNHCR respectively. At the end of opening section, Department of social welfare launched “The First Myanmar Disability Survey” and disseminated to workshop participants.
In the first day, the organizer made pre-discussion together with participants from different sectors. In second day, participants mainly learned the experience and lessons from special guests from China, Bangladesh, Thailand and Cambodia on their making policy on disability. In last day, there had active and comprehensive panel discussions at two particular rooms (divided into 2-groups) and all participants actively debated on two main topics “Policy” and “Law” under the facilitation of Department of social welfare and discussed on detail input contents for “Setting Policy” and “Drafting Law for PWDs” in Myanmar.
Remark:
According to current news from Naypyidaw, the outcome results of the workshop had approved by Minister of social welfare and continuous process will be done step by step as road map together with representatives from different sectors including disabled delegates.
Posted by jicafriends at 02:03 PM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2011
Greetings from Jake-Zimbabwe
Dear jica friends,
I am very well here in Zimbabwe.
I have been thinking of you people but I was posted to work outside of the town since I came back. My project plan, Go-Green-Honey is going ok.
Please pass my tender greetings to all lecturers and friends.
Jacob MAKONYE
(Leadership Development 2010)
Posted by jicafriends at 03:07 PM | Comments (0)
June 18, 2011
New Educational Center for Persons with Disabilities-Tajikistan
Hello dear friends.
With support ААR - Japan in our organization is constructed new educational center for persons with disability . In this center of the woman and the girl with physical disability can be train sewing business and cookery.
Our organization thanks to the Japanese people for support.
Sincerely
Asadullo Zikrikhudoev
Chairman
PO Society of persons with disabilities of Dushanbe "IMKONIYAT"
E-mail: info@imkoniyat, URL: www.imkoniyat.tj
Posted by jicafriends at 12:16 AM | Comments (0)
June 14, 2011
Este puesto no es suyo ni por un minuto - NOT YOUR SPOT NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE
Cordial Saludo:
Una inteligente y divertida campaña para promover los derechos de las personas con discapacidad y el respeto POR LOS ESTACIONAMIENTOS ESPECIALES.
Difundan, por favor.
Puse la traducción a español e inglés en Dotsub
http://dotsub.com/view/bbf255c0-216e-4839-95a6-8e58e8f3334d
==================
Dear All
Creative campaign to promote RESPECT for the special parking spaces for persons with disabilities.
Translation to english in Dotsub
Spread the info, please.
http://dotsub.com/view/bbf255c0-216e-4839-95a6-8e58e8f3334d
VIDEO ORIGINAL EN / ORIGINAL VIDEO YouTube
“Esta vaga não é sua nem por um minuto”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C50FAN9bYqU
--
Fabio Padilla
CHARLAS, CURSOS, PROYECTOS
www.fabiopadilla.com
"the harder you work, the luckier you get"
Posted by jicafriends at 11:50 PM | Comments (0)
June 07, 2011
Disability association renews call to ratify convention-Antigua & Barbuda
We found the following news about Mr.Bernard Warner a former participant of Leadership Development Course 2010, and President of the Antigua & Barbuda Association for Persons with Disabilities. http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/antigua/l2010warner/index.htmlIt was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
By Tameika Malone - Wednesday, May 25th, 2011.
President of the Antigua & Barbuda Association for Persons with Disabilities Bernard Warner has renewed the call for the country to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which it signed on to five years ago.
Referencing steps taken by neighbouring Jamaica towards ratification, Warner said a number of important issues regarding health care and employment for persons with disabilities would first need to be addressed.
“Jamaica did a tremendous job back in 2007 where they have developed a national policy for persons with disabilities which assist in many areas of concern. There is a national council for persons living with disabilities in Jamaica which handles many of the issues related to rehabilitation and it is very important that Antigua & Barbuda take it very seriously about our youths whether it is sports or education,” Warner said.
“I had first-hand experience of the benefit of having a national policy in place and this is just a tip of the iceberg that will make life much easier for persons with disabilities in Antigua & Barbuda.”
He also wants to see Antigua & Barbuda develop policies to help in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and provide funding to the national rehabilitation programme that would assist in the training and educating of disabled persons.
Admitting that government has made monetary contribution to the association, Warner said, “We are still waiting and asking for government and society to come on board and help to ratify this and make it possible for future generations will be able to work freely without discrimination.
“If you so care then you would consider supporting us and the first step of supporting us is to come on board and support the ratification of this convention which is important for the long-term survival of persons with disabilities … people will be conscious of human rights and access and employment that will reduce poverty in persons living with disabilities.”
Meanwhile, Warner is appealing for people who may have old wheelchairs to donate them to the association and therefore relieve the shortage of wheelchairs for disabled persons.
The chairs will be refurbished and handed over to persons who are in dire need of them, he added.
Persons are asked to contact Amarilla Henry at 720-7264 or Warner at 720-7263 for further
http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=59062
Posted by jicafriends at 01:42 PM | Comments (0)
May 24, 2011
“Empowerment of persons with disabilities through peer support” -2-
March 3, 2011
Ms. Kassiyet’s project was started with the symposium、which was specially planned for leaders of persons with disabilities such as the heads of organizations of all types of disabilities or leading figures of disability field in Almaty, under the theme of “Business, government, and people with disabilities: the partnership through the projects. It was held on March 3 at the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research (KIMEP).
Over 70 people including representatives of KIMEP, JICA, KJC (Kazakhstan Japan Center), ARZHAN participated in the symposium. Many students of KIMEP willingly volunteered for the symposium. Some worked as personal assistants of persons with disabilities for the first time in their lives. Without their support, we could not make it success.
The content of the symposium was as follows;
Theme: "The Japanese experience: the state, business, NGOs - cooperation in solving the problems of people with disabilities”
Organizers: JICA, KIMEP, KJC, and ARZHAN
Date: March 3, 2011
Venue: KIMEP, 237 Valikhanov Building
Program:
1. Opening;
Congratulatory message from Ambassador of Embassy of Japan to Kazakhstan was read by JICA officer and also messages were delivered by the representatives of KIMEP, JICA Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan Japan Center.
2. Presentation; “Daily Lives of Persons with Disabilities in Japan” by Mr. Dai OKITA, Independent Living Program Coordinator of Mainstream Association
After each presentation question and answer session was followed in order to exchange opinions.
Welfare System and Disability Movement of Persons with Disabilities in Japan [PDF (61KB)]
Mainstream Association [PDF (41KB)]
3. Presentation; “Social Status of Person with Disabilities, and its Importance and Impact on the Society in Kazakhstan” by .Ms. Omarova Kassiyet, Executive Director of ARZHAN
4. Coffee Break
5. Presentation; “History of Japanese Disability Movements and Current Situation of Persons with Disabilities in Japan” by Ms. Masako Okuhira, Section Manager of International Training Section of Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
6. Presentation; “Leadership development of youth people with disabilities in Kazakhstan” by Mr. Farkhad Yusubzhanov, President of Zhiger
7. Lunch
8. Presentation; “Peer counseling program in Kyrgyzstan” by Ms. Murataliyeva Ukei
9. Presentation; “People with disabilities in Kazakhstan and the Convention” by Mr. Imanaliyev Kayrat, Chairman of Namys Disabled People Association
http://www.jicafriends.jp/world/pdf/wprofilekazakhstan.pdf
10. Closing; Closing remarks by JICA officer and Executive Director of ARZHAN
Unfortunately representative for the organization of hearing impairment didn’t have a chance to present their situation, but it was a meaningful day that Leaders of different types of disabilities in Almaty gathered in one hall to discuss how to improve the situation of persons with disabilities in Kazakhstan.
A personal assistant of Mr. OKITA keeps reporting about Ms. Kassiyet’s project on Mainstream website everyday. (Sorry it is written in Japanese!)
URL:http://cilmainstream.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-04-12T23%3A35%3A00%2B09%3A00&max-results=7&reverse-paginate=true
Will be continued..
Posted by jicafriends at 04:26 PM | Comments (0)
May 18, 2011
“Empowerment of persons with disabilities through peer support” -1-
We would like to start a series reporting on JICA follow-up program in Kazakhstan. The program was conducted by Ms. Kassiyet OMAROVA, a former participant of Leadership Development Course 2009. We originally planned to report in March, however the Tohoku-Kanto Great Earthquake occurred and we were unable to upload till today.
*****************************************************************
“Empowerment of persons with disabilities through peer support” -1-
Ms. Kassiyet OMAROVA, a former participant of Leadership Development Course 2009 initiated her project plan “Join and enjoy,” barrier-free tourism in Almaty, Kazakhstan shortly after returning from Japan.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/pdf/l2009projectkazakhstan01.pdf
She first organized a university student volunteer group and then got funds for transportation service for wheelchair users with sever disabilities. When she conducted the first barrier-free tour, most of persons with severe disabilities living in Almaty were unaccustomed to go out from their homes and some parents still believe that their children cannot do anything by themselves and they don’t like them going out with new people.
She came to know that empowerment of persons with disabilities was essential before starting anything else.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/kazakhstan/l2009kassiyet/005.html
Therefore she submitted another project proposal “Empowerment of persons with disabilities through peer support” including 12 points taught by Ms. Sarajean Rossitto to JICA Astana Office in January 2010. And fortunately it was approved as one of follow-up programs.
The project consists of a symposium and three-day workshop. Two Japanese experts, Mr. Dai OKITA of Mainstream Association and Ms. Masako Okuhira of Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities were selected and JICA Kyrgyzstan Office promised to send Ms. Murataliyeva Ukei for introducing her experience of peer counseling services in Kyrgyzstan.
Will be continued...
Posted by jicafriends at 01:11 PM | Comments (0)
National Run in Tajikistan
Dear jicafriends!
In Tajikistan every year in the beginning of May there is a national run.
About 300000 persons take part in this marathon.
This year on May, 15th ben our organization (Society of persons with disabilities of Dushanbe "IMKONIYAT") have taken active part in run.
best regards
Asadullo Zikrikhudoev
Chairman
PO Society of persons with disabilities of Dushanbe "IMKONIYAT"
4, Kurbon Rakhimova Str., Dushanbe, Tajikistan
E-mail: info@imkoniyat, URL: http://www.imkoniyat.tj/en/
Posted by jicafriends at 09:21 AM | Comments (0)
May 09, 2011
inclusive rebuilding and international tokyo congress-Chile
Dear Friends,
our work about inclusive rebuilding is going to be represented in the UIA2011 TOKYO WORLD CONGRESS. I attached the poster
--
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Posted by jicafriends at 05:27 PM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2011
Easter Greeting from Miiro san-Uganda
Dear all my good friends,
I wish you the Best of All for this Easter seasons
Miiro Michael
Leadership Development Course 2008
Posted by jicafriends at 09:18 AM | Comments (0)
March 30, 2011
UN Unable and Inclusive Rebuilding- Carlos (Chile)
Dear friends,
We are facing consecuences of great disasters, natural, technological and war ones. People with disabilities must be proteced.
Last year, in Chile we created a plan for inclusive rebuilding, it was uploaded in Jica friends among other sites.
Now, UN Agency for PwDs, Enable, selected the plan as part of resources for people with disabilities durin disasters.
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1546
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Leaders' Course 2003
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/chile/l2003carlos/index.html
Posted by jicafriends at 09:08 AM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2011
Jamila san-Tajikistan
JSRPD staff and one of planning committee members and Chairperson of "Koyukai" visited Jamila-san, a former participant of Leadership Development Course 2010 at State Enterprise of Orthopaedic Plant in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 17th March 2011.
She works for EOPD as IT section manager.
She writes project proposals, draws up documents for importing the parts of orthosis and prothesis, and beside that she will be English translator when they receive a visitor from overseas.
Jamila san remembers the training days and always remember the friends she met in Japan.
She said “I was deeply impressed with the leadership training in Japan. Japan has great accessibility, conditions and activities for person with disabilities. Now we are trying to improve the situation of persons with disabilities here in Tajikistan. We will face the difficulty to change our society but I believe that one day we can create barrier free environment like Japan”
At the end, she gave message to Japanese people who are suffering from the disaster.
“I am very sad that the big earthquake and Tsunami attacked Japan.
I wish patience, strength and good health to all of Japanese people.
I really love Japan and I feel pain in my soul and my heart. And the tragedy of Japan is mine too. Please take care.
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 09:54 AM | Comments (1)
March 22, 2011
Manifesto from Carlos-Chile
Dear Friends,
with regards to the emergencies and disasters in Chile, Haiti, Japan, Brazil and other countries that have faced various emergencies, I must say that people with disabilities has not been taken into account in a systematic and scientific way. The few actions that has been taken are isolated and are not policies. This is not asking for a favor, it is international humanitarian right, it is human rights, it is the law.
The rights are to be met.
for those who want to collaborate.
1) the text will be sent to Enable (UN and Disability) and to the High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations.
2) Please forward the signed document (only name and other information, no signature is required no scanning) to inclusiverebuilding@gmail.com
3) this is a global campaign. please share and spread.
thanks
--
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Posted by jicafriends at 07:49 PM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2011
Report from Alphonse san-St Lucia
Dear jicafriends,
Konnichiwa!
From the third to the fifth of March the Japanees held a peace exhibition on world peace, At that exhibition as part of my training I rescieved in Japan on leadership focusing on person with disabilities I gave a half an hour presentation on my visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which I concluded with a song on world peace, named "Konnichiwa."
Peace Memorial Park:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Peace_Memorial_Park
I continue to look forward to working with JOCV ST. Lucia.
Thank you very much, will keep you up dated on project as the information comes.
ALPHONSE Ezekiah
Leadership Development Course 2009
Posted by jicafriends at 05:01 PM | Comments (0)
Report about Narend san-Fiji
JSRPD staff had an opportunity to visit Mr. Narend, a former participant of Decent Work Course 2009, at Suva Special School in Fiji on 24th of February.
After coming back from Japan Mr. Narend has started his project plan "Building Bridges"and has been tackled creating job opportunities for students with disabilities at Suva Special School.
Project plan: http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/pdf/v2009projectfiji.pdf
Progress report: http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/reports/progress/fiji/index.html
Mr. Narend says “our school is putting effort into agriculture skill training such as mowing and growing vegetables. In Fiji, many people engage in agriculture especially those who live in the rural area. We teach students practical skills of farming so that they will be able to make a living after graduating our school.”
Mr. Nrend continued "in Fiji, even persons without disabilities face difficulty to get jobs. That's why employment of persons with disabilities is more difficult but we never give up to improve our situation."
There are around 150 students (from age 7 to 18) who have intellectual disabilities in the Suva Special School.
And now two JICA volunteers, a speech therapist and a vocational training instructor are working at the school. One of the volunteers who works with Mr. Narend understands his efforts after he came back from the Decent work training in Japan.
Her current issue is how she can transfer all her knowledges and skills to the teachers at Suva Special School.
She will complete her term of the dispatch in June.
Good luck! Narend san and every one at the Suva Special School.
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 10:44 AM | Comments (0)
February 23, 2011
Progress Report from Shalika san-Sri Lanka
We received the following report from Ms. Shalika Karunaratne, a former participant of Leaders Course
2006, and Member, Executive Committee fo the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind.
Apart from the usual activities of my organisation Sri Lanka Council for the Blind, last year, we
encouraged students with disabilities in vision to sit the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination for the first
time. We also joined hands with a Travel Agency to print braille menus for the benefit of a group of
tourists with disabilities in vision. This was a first in Sri Lanka and the tourists were thrilled to have their
own menu on the flight as well as all the hotels. We are promoting tourism for people with disabilities in
Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, there are accessibility difficulties usually for persons with disabilities in mobility.
The Council organised an advocacy programme on the UN convention on the rights of PWDs and got
feedback from many government officials that it was very useful and informative.
We also got a donation of 12 chess boards and found a sponsor for a chess tournament for the blind. For
a list of our annual activities, please refer www.srilankablindcouncil.org/notice.html
Shalika Karunaratne
Representative of Sri Lanka - Leaders Course 2006
Member, Executive Committee - Sri Lanka Council for the Blind
Posted by jicafriends at 04:51 PM | Comments (1)
February 15, 2011
Mr. Murugeswaran Veerasamy's Blog-Malaysia
Hi jicafriends,
Please check out all my activity in my blog : http://damaidisabledpersonsassociation.blogspot.com/
Murugeswaran Veerasamy
JICA leaders training participator in 1999
Posted by jicafriends at 10:00 AM | Comments (0)
February 04, 2011
Dara san in Cambodia
Dear jicafriends,
Manager and staff of International Training Section of JSRPD visited Dara san, a former participant of Leadership Development Course 2010, at Cambodian Disabled People's Organization on 31st of January.
Dara san was fine there and he asked them to send his best regards to all jicafriends.
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 05:07 PM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2011
Congratulations! Lutfiye san-Turkey
Dear jicafriends,
We are very happy to inform you that Lutfiye san became a mother of a baby boy last May.
Now she went back to her work since her maternity leave has finished.
May her sweet engel bring her much happiness.
Congraturations! Lutfiye san
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 03:31 PM | Comments (0)
February 01, 2011
Meeting on ‘Decade of Disabled Persons’ held-Pakistan
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Our correspondent Monday, January 31, 2011 Islamabad
As part of a campaign to promote the implementation of Second Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, a two-day meeting was held here to ensure that all stakeholders play their due role for this purpose.
The meeting was jointly organised by the Ministry of Special Education, ESCAP, APCD, Sightsavers, JICA, SADF and PDPO. Representatives of the United Nations and foreign civil society organisations shared their views with the participants over role of disabled persons for progress and prosperity of their respective countries.
The participants welcomed the ratification of CPRD by the Government of Pakistan and its efforts together with civil society organisations to promote rights of persons with disabilities in the society. They showed their full support to launch Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities that aims at the accelerated implementation of the CPRD in an inclusive way with a particular focus on the leadership development and institutional strengthening of community based organisations.
They said the joint efforts of stakeholders concerning disability resulted in a big achievement and at the moment there are 147 signatories and 97 ratifications of the CRPD that marks a paradigm
shift in attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities.
Those who participated and shared their views during the meeting included Akiie Nino Miya, chief executive of Asia Pacific Centre of Disability, Atif Shaikh, president of South Asian Disability Forum, Dr. Shahnawaz from CHEF International and Prince Abbas, director general of Special Education.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=28595&Cat=6
South Asian Disability Forum (SADF): http://www.disabled-world.com/news/asia/pakistan-disability-forum.php
Pakistan Disabled People Organization (PDPO):
http://www.danishkadah.org.pk/networks/PDPO/aboutUs/index.htm
Posted by jicafriends at 11:22 AM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2011
Greetings from Alphonse san-St. Lucia
Dear Secretariat and jicafriends,
Greetings from all across Tokyo Japan, Let me first wish you all the best to you and your hard working staff which makes the lifes of persons with disabilities much easyer and productive.
On the 30, October of last year ST. Lucia experience a very dangerous hurricane which left many persons loseing their lives and more so being homeless inculding persons with disabilities. I am one of the few whoes house not destroy, but however every thing on the inside of my home was wash away by the strong winds and heavy rains which came with hurricane Tomas.
Its a bit very stress on my part as I now need to duss myself off and start all over again, because every thing was gone completly gone. None the less am still thankful of still being alive, I there for thank the most heigh who control every thing.
As a result of the passage of hurricane Tomas the entire island was affect without any pipewater for a few month, up to date some area still does not have water. Its a very difficult time for all person living with disabilities here in ST. Lucia please keep us in yau prayers, its really needed at this point in time. Again let me thank the entire JICA team for providing person with disabilities from all across the world in giveing us skills which makes it easyer and to be more productive at our work place, again I say thank you.
Mr. ALPHONSE Ezekiah
Leadership Development Course 2009
Posted by jicafriends at 09:24 AM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2011
Greetings from Sangita san-Nepal
Dear secretariat and jicafriends,
I would like to say you big thanks!
You uploaded at JICA website my org. information.
It's really more inspiration for me with my work.
Now EPSA has a website Blessed-Life Empowerment for Sustainability
http://www.blessed-life.com/
And next http://epsanepal.org/
I wish have all the best for you.
kind regards!
sangita pant.
EPSA Nepal kathmandu.
Posted by jicafriends at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2011
Enumerating the disabled-India
We found the name of Mr.Javed Abidi, the former participant of Leaders' Course 1995 in the following article. It was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Interview with Javed Abidi, founder of the Disability Rights Group.
Javed Abidi, Honorary Director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) and the founder of the Disability Rights Group, is an active campaigner for access for persons with disabilities. After winning a case in the Supreme Court, in 1998, for effective implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, he is now engaged in mobilising public opinion on the proposed disability law.
Mr. Abidi, who was in Chennai recently for a South Zone Consultation Workshop on census and the enumeration of people with disability, shared his views with A. Srivathsan and Garimella Subramaniam on the improvements made to the 2011 census questionnaire and their implications for policy changes and resource allocations.
It was only in 2001 that Independent India began a comprehensive Census enumeration of people with disability. Now, as the 2011 census is set to commence in February, how do you view this in the context of the struggle for establishing the rights of the disabled?
It was not easy to include the enumeration of the disabled in the 2001 Census. We struggled for more than six months and managed to include it only at the last moment. Till the 2001 census figures were revealed, the Government of India maintained that the number of people with disability was less than one per cent of the total population contrary to the estimate by U.N. institutions which placed it at about 10 per cent and the activists estimating it to be five to six per cent. The 2001 census showed that 2.1 per cent of the population had different kinds of disabilities. In my opinion this figure is grossly underestimated.
Why do you think the 2001 figures are not accurate?
There are two reasons for contesting the 2001 Census figures. First we have to bear in mind that the average percentage of population with disabilities in China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other countries in Asia-Pacific region is around five per cent. It would defy logic to think that India is the sole exception with lower figures. Second, only five kinds of disabilities were included for enumeration. Since the question on disability was introduced at the last moment there was no time to train the enumerators adequately. As a result, many enumerators missed out or incorrectly filled the column on disability.
Continued: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/interview/article1075383.ece
Posted by jicafriends at 01:39 PM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2011
Delhi's disabled community to hold candlelight vigil Friday-India
We found the name of Mr.Javed Abidi, the former participant of Leaders' Course 1995 in the following article. It was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
2010-12-30 18:10:00
New Delhi, Dec 30 (IANS) The disabled community here will hold a candlelight vigil outside social justice and empowerment minister Mukul Wasnik's house to protest against the delay in drafting of a new disability law, even as the rest of the country welcomes the New Year with parties and get-togethers Friday.
Javed Abidi of the Disabled Rights Group, who is organising the vigil said: 'It took Mukul Wasnik as long as seven months, until April this year, to accede to the disability sector's demand for a new and a comprehensive disability rights legislation to replace the Disability Act of 1995.'
A committee was formed and given four months until August this year to submit a draft of the law. However, the deadline was extended until October-end. It was yet again extended to the end of this month.
Abidi said: 'The committee has still not been able to complete the task assigned to it eight months ago. Now, they are asking for one more extension, until March 31, 2011. The community demands that there should be no more extensions given and a new panel be formed by the ministry.'
'On Dec 27, I had written to the minister expressing our deep anguish at the turn of events, even as the rest of the country is soaked in the fervour of New Year celebrations, but got no response. Therefore, we have decided to hold a candlelight vigil in front of his house tomorrow (Friday) evening,' he added.
Posted by jicafriends at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
December 28, 2010
Good news from Alireza san-Iran
Dear jicafriends,
JICA Iran office has a meeting forJICA Iranian graduated persons on DEC 22th and furtunately I have been selected to present a report of our course. Actually I am happy that I have this opportunity to introduce our course and rehabilitation and employment programs which is available for PWDs.
I hope it helps to normalization of PWDs in community.
with the best wishes
Seyedalireza SAADATI
Decent Work Course 2010
Posted by jicafriends at 01:06 PM | Comments (0)
December 27, 2010
congratulate
DEAR FRIENDS!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We wish you health, wealth and happiness!
The best regards,
Asadullo Zikrikhudoevв
Chairman
Society of persons with disabilities of Dushanbe "IMKONIYAT"
Posted by jicafriends at 02:28 PM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2010
Leadership and Communication within Your Group
Mr. Bernard Alphonso WARNER, this year's participant of Leadership
Development Course sent us his paper to share his idea about "Leadership."
http://jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/antigua/l2010warner/00101.html
Posted by jicafriends at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)
YPSA won "Manthan Award South Asia 2010"-Bangladesh
The following information is about YPSA, the organization which Ms. Sadia Tajin, a former participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2008 belongs to and it is downloaded from the mailing list of accessbangla.
Dear jicafriends,
This email is to inform you that YPSA Ship breaking portal http://www.shipbreakingbd.info/was the successful winner of the e-environment category of the recent Manthan Award South Asia, held in New Delhi over the 17th and 18th December.
YPSA DAISY for All in Bangladesh received a special mention for our application in the e-inclusion category.
Please visit the YPSA http://www.ypsa.org/ orthe Manthan Award website for further details on http://www.manthanaward.org/
Unfortunately a representative of the YPSA team was unable to attend the award ceremony owing to difficulties securing Indian visa’s at what was reportedly a busy visa processing time.
Thank you for your support of and contribution to our services which helped make this award and special mention possible.
Vashkar Bhattacharjee
Posted by jicafriends at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)
December 20, 2010
Season's greeting from Miiro san-Uganda
Dear all JICA Members, JSRPD Members and former participants (2008)
I wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year!
I can't believe that on 12th December, we made 2 years since we left Japan.
Miiro Michael
Uganda
Leadership Development Course 2008
Posted by jicafriends at 10:03 AM | Comments (1)
Progress Report form Otto san-Costa Rica
Hello jicafriends,
I am Otto Padilla from leadership course 2008, I want to share with you some activities developed during 2010.
I had worked in my radio program “Libre de barreras” (barrier’s free) in the local radio of Pérez Zeledón, I am working with Aida Gonzalez (independing living 2008) and Leonidas Godinez, both of them leaders of PWD Movement in my city and in the country.
In this weekly program we are used to invite people to share their story and how they face the barriers set by society, we also give information about human rights, CRPD and the local laws related to disability issue.
In my hometown Jica has implemented the Kaloie project, we are working together with the JICA staff and Japanese volunteers in activities, meetings, seminaries and they are usually invited to the radio show.
This year we began to transmit our program in internet using the radio website www.radiopz.com and we have received reports from outside Costa Rica, it made us so happy. If you want to listen to it online just browse www.radiopz.com , look for a graphic link of a ducky (patito) and click on it and you will listen to us every Wednesday at 6 am in Japan, Tuesday 3 pm Costa Rica local time.
Schools are the first place we need to work with and due to the reason that we need to change people’s perspective about PWD and now that I work for the Ministry of Public Education in Perez Zeledon, in the Pedagogical Department as an assistant advisor for the Musical Office I have the support of my boss to have among my duties the chance to go to primary schools in my city to share with teachers and kids about the role guide dogs have and new concepts in disability.
All these activities that I have mentioned have increased a lot because of my training in Japan. I can evaluate myself in terms of this training and now I have a wider vision how to get to people and move my acquired knowledge from theory to practice in real life situations.
Finally I want to express my deepest thankfulness for my growth as a person , for the time I shared in the Japanese Culture, for the friends I made from different countries and for the way JICA treated me and for the support I still have from the JICA Stafff in Costa Rica.
Best regards and I wish you a very Happy Christmas and a highly productive 2011.
Cordially yours
Otto Padilla
Posted by jicafriends at 09:30 AM | Comments (0)
December 13, 2010
Congratulations! Khamdy san-Lao PDR
We received email from Mr. khamdy BOUTHAKHANH, a former participant of Leaders' Course 2007.
He passed the last stage of examinition for JDS scholarship and he will come to Japan to study in Osaka University from the end of January, 2011.
http://jice.org/e/jds/application/index.htm
Congratulations! Khamdy san.
Your Japanese friends are looking forward to seeing you again.
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 02:13 PM | Comments (0)
December 09, 2010
Reunion of Decent Pair 2009
Dear jicafriends
We received an email and a photo from a former participant.
Kaede san (Malay name is Moh Foong) met up with Kiran san last month when he went to Malaysia for the DET Training of Trainers & also a CBR conference.
He visited United Voice. Above is a photo Kaede san took with him at UV giftshop.
We are so pleased to hear from former participants and to know how you are doing.
Thank you! Kaede san.
Keep in touch!
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 05:30 PM | Comments (0)
December 08, 2010
Observed International Disability Day 2010-Bangladesh
The following news from YPSA, the organization which Ms. Sadia Tajin, a former participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2008 belongs to and it is downloaded with a cooperation of Mr. Vashkar Bhattachariee.
Observed International Disability Day-2010
Federation of DPOs, Sitakund. organised and Sitakund Upazilla Social welfare Department and YPSA jonitly Supported Rally and discussion meeting at Sitakund to mark the “19th International Disability Day 2010” on 3rd December at Sitakund Upazilla Auditorium Hall. Mr. Md Emran Khan Officer of Sitakund Upazilla Social welfare Department presided the discussion meeting. Mr. Md. Abdullah Al Baker Bhuiyan, Upazilla Chairman, Sitakund was Chief Guest and Other Special Guests are Md. Mahabubur Rahman, Director (Field Operation) of YPSA, Polas Chowdhuri Director (Finance) of YPSA, Vashker Battacharji program Officer of YPSA, Mr. Babul Nath Precedent of Federation of DPOs, Sitakund and Sadhan Das, Sultana Yesmin, Jesmin Akter, Samsul Alom member of Federation of DPOs, Sitakund are spice in this program. Mr. Newaz Mahmud Program Officer of YPSA has facilitated that program.
From beginning the discussion meeting about 300 people with disability attend in a colorfull rally in sitakund main raod.
Posted by jicafriends at 11:41 AM | Comments (0)
November 18, 2010
Report from miiro - Uganda
New organization was created by a former participant of Leadership Development Course 2009.
The main objectives of the foundation are:
･ To aid socially vulnerable groups of the population, and people who have suffered in emergency situations, by carrying out charitable and socially valuable projects.
･ The main objectives of the foundation are:
･ To aid socially vulnerable groups of the population, and people who have suffered in emergency situations, by carrying out charitable and socially valuable projects.
･ To popularise social responsibility and cooperation in its implementation with business and society.
To popularise social responsibility and cooperation in its implementation with business and society.
A call for Inclusion of Disabled Persons in International, Regional and National Family Planning Programmes
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/africa/uganda/001miiro/004/index.html
LAUNCHING THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH FOR YOUNG DEAF
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/africa/uganda/001miiro/005.html
Posted by jicafriends at 10:09 PM | Comments (0)
Good news from Kassiyet san-Kazakhstan
Dear friends!
I am happy that I have an opportunity to mail you and share with you my good news!
Finally I received JICA's certificate.
I’d like to thank you for your support and warm care.
I’d like to inform you that we made a web-site of our new organization Arzhan Social Foundation.
Sorry English version of the site is little bit empty now but I hope we’ll full it in the nearest future.
I wish you the best!
Sincerely yours
Kassiyet
Leadership Development Couse 2009
Posted by jicafriends at 12:55 PM | Comments (1)
November 17, 2010
Message from Janet-Philippines
We are so happy to receive the following message from Janet, a former participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2007. Thank you, Janet san!
The secretariat of jicafriends
*******************************************************************************
Dear jicafriends,
Hello, its nice that i am always updated with the JICA programs and activities.
Hope that you will continue sending me news.
I am still doing fine with the project which i have planned to do when i was a JICA Participant year 2007 re:Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Promotion for Persons with Disabilities.
I'm busy with lots of things i'm doing in the office thats why i seldom open my e-mail.
However i'm very thankful that i'm still connected with jica friends.
Janet Cruz
Posted by jicafriends at 06:59 PM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2010
Congratulations! Carlos san
Dear jicafriends,
We are very pleased and honored to inform you that the Inclusive Rebuilding Plan has won a very important award from Chilean Government.
As you may know that Carlos, a participant of Leaders' Course 2003 is earnestly involved in this plan.
Congratulations! Carlos san.
Since the original article is written in Spanish, please refer to the following translation.
http://www.segegob.cl/prontus_msgg/site/artic/20101108/pags/20101108085417.html
The Secretariat of jicafriends
***********************************
November 8, 2010
The proposal called "Plan for Inclusive Building after Disasters", nominated by the Universidad Austral de Chile, was chosen as the best initiative of the Region de Los Rios in the "Best Practices Contest 2010: the Chile that dream."
The Regional Minister Secretariat Claudio Mansilla said the competition promoted by the Division of Social Organizations of the Ministry General Secretariat of Government was to identify and reward best practices that promote respect and inclusion of individuals and groups vulnerable to discrimination and intolerance.
He added that the jury, composed of representatives of public institutions and civil society, elected the initiative from the Uach as the winner of 2010, and noted that the proposal was drafted by the Committee on Social Inclusion and Disability of the house of studies to the public and private entities to consider the disability variable in the reconstruction of areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
Mansilla recalled that when the Reconstruction Plan received from the hands of academic Inclusive Cristian Salazar by him, he handed the document to the President of the Republic.
The regional authority said that the winning initiative was able to build the concept of inclusive rebuilding "in the national public agenda, being spread further by the International Cooperation Agency of Japan.
The university will receive a public recognition and publication of the initiative on the website of the Ministry General Secretariat of Government, for his contribution to building a society respectful of diversity and without arbitrary discrimination.
The jury was composed of government SEREMI Claudio Mansilla, the director of SENADIS Angel Sarmiento, Monica Gamín SERPLAC official, the president of the Association of Physically Handicapped Victor Hugo Soto Valdivia and Ida Vicuña, leader of the Center School parents Ann Sullivan.
You can access to Inclusive Rebuilding Plan from Carlos's pages.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/chile/l2003carlos/index.html
Posted by jicafriends at 09:16 AM | Comments (0)
October 25, 2010
Editorial comittee sesion
The editorial Committee is an initiative that was worn as part of the Inclusive Rebuilding initiative. It is conformed by Universidad Austral de Chile, IP Chile, National Rehabilitation Center Pedro Aguirre Cerda, National Local Government Association (disability committee), and other institutions and experts. We are holding several meetings with the Pan-American Health Organization.
In the pictures, members of the Editorial Committee, holding a meeting in the IP Chile Building
http://jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/chile/l2003carlos/014.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:07 PM | Comments (0)
"Masaka to educate deaf children"-The New Vision, Uganda
We found the name of Mr.Michael Miiro, the former participant of Leaders' Course 2008 in the following article. It was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Publication date: Tuesday, 5th October, 2010
By Ali Mambule
MASAKA district, together with Ka Tutandike, a non-governmental organisation, have started a project to sensitise deaf children on reproductive health.
I was shocked by a young girl who claimed that she was sick after seeing blood coming out of her private parts, not knowing that menstruation was common to everyone,・the district rehabilitation officer, Michael Miiro, told New Vision.
He said the project, which is targeting about 500 deaf children, focuses on teaching sign language to parents, health workers, teachers and members of the community.
Miiro noted that whereas 90% of what children learn is through listening to people talking and the media, the deaf are missing this opportunity.
Even the teachers in schools where these children go for studies only teach them how to read and write. They don't know how to deliver reproductive health information to the children,・he said.
They need television sets, DVDs and video cassette players so that they can see, understand, internalise and later spread the same information to their siblings and those who may not be in position to access that information,・Miiro said.
He expressed concern over parents who hide children with disabilities.
Julius Nkuraija, the Ka Tutandike project manager, said: We have begun with three schools in Masaka district, including St. Mark VII Bwanda, Good Samaritan School for the Deaf Kitengesa and Masaka School for Children with Special Needs Bugabira.
He said the project would last three years.
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/19/734141
Posted by jicafriends at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)
October 21, 2010
Sabaidee from Khemphon
Sabaidee! jicafriends,
I'm still working as Handicap International staff and at the same time performance at Lao Disable Association.
I'm doing employment for people with disability project. The name of the project is "Linking employers and employee with disability."
My position is Capacity building officer. I'm working with LDPA team to look for a job vacancy from business field and linking people with disability to applies and get jobs.
This work it's challenging for our team because we face many problems when we go to survey vacancy in private companies, people with disability and self help group in Vientiane capital.
Some of private companies don't know that people with disability can work, they think it is difficult for people with disability to work and need a lot of support to from them.
This is first project for promoting employment people with disability.
if you have information of NGO in Laos which is interested in employing people with disability, please let me know.
High regards
khemphone
Posted by jicafriends at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)
October 15, 2010
Message from Carlos-Chile
Dear jicafriends,
As a Chilean I want to thanks all people arround the world for your kindness and support for our Chilean Miners.
I want to declare in the first place, Mine owner's greed is what trapped miners, and only a national wide effort rescued them.
Second, the miners endure an unbearable situation.
Third. this year Chile has been put into several test, earthquake, tsunami, miners trapped, but we endure
Viva Chile
--
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Posted by jicafriends at 09:18 AM | Comments (0)
October 14, 2010
Progress Report from Carlos san-Chile
A day in the Honorable Chamber of Deputies
I participated on the Ordinary Session of the Committee on Poverty Reduction, Social Development Planning of the Honorable Chamber of Deputies, with the aim of analyzing the implementation of Law No. 20,422, in the field of rehabilitation and social inclusion of people with disabilities and in particular the situation of people with visual disabilities.
I was happy to work with our congressmen. Since we don’t have now a commission about disability issues, we were out of conversation with the legislative power. Now we reassume this relationship via the Committee on Poverty Reduction, Social Development Planning of the Honorable Chamber of Deputies
In the picture. From left side to the bottom of the pic, Carlos Kaiser, next Ximena Rivas National Director of the National Service for PwDs, representatives of PwDs organizations. In he right side national deputies.
http://jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/chile/l2003carlos/013.html
Posted by jicafriends at 01:30 PM | Comments (0)
October 07, 2010
Hand in hand: mind to mind-Nepal (Sangita san)
The following article is about Ms. Sangita Pant, former participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2008.
KANCHAN G BURATHOKI
Sangeeta Pant came to Kathmandu in 1999 to pursue further studies at Padma Kanya Campus.
After several attempts to find a job, Sangeeta, originally from Gorkha, was appointed as a Nepali teacher at Sagarmatha Boarding School in Basundhara of Kathmandu in 2001. However, only 19 days into her teaching career, the then principal of the school asked Pant to leave.
“I still find it painful to talk about it,” shares the 29-year-old. She looks away for a moment but manages to keep a faint smile on her face. She goes on, “The principal told me that parents wouldn’t admit their children if they saw the condition of my left arm.”
A shoulder injury, which took place when she was seven years old, damaged a nerve, preventing blood flow into her left arm and leaving it underdeveloped.
“I couldn’t get proper treatment in time,” she reveals and adds, “I can’t do anything with it (left arm) now.”
Like Sangeeta, all the disabled women who gather at the workshop of Entire Power in Social Action (EPSA) each day have a story of their own. Regardless of where they are from and what kind of physical challenges they have, this is a place where these women understand each other and the discriminations they face in the Nepali society.
*****
“You first roll the strips of felt into balls and then soak them in soap water,” demonstrates 15-year-old Radhika Budhathoki. She laughs when one of the balls uncurls, “Phuskyo!” It takes a while to understand what Radhika is saying because she was born without a uvula (small piece of conical soft tissue hanging at the back of the tongue). It has been three months since she has been living at the EPSA work shed, along with two others, where she has learnt to knit, make candles, liquid soap, and felt products.
In the adjacent room, over a dozen women sit around making felt puppets and key rings.
Sandhya Khagdi, 21, of Nuwakot developed facial paralysis due to lack of treatment of typhoid, five years ago. Bhawana Subedi, mother of a 12-year-old son, lost one of her legs to cancer 15 years back. Twenty-year-old Kumari Magar’s right leg doesn’t bend.
It is past midday on a Wednesday afternoon, and the heat coming from the tin roof is slightly bearable. The work shed of EPSA, consisting of four rooms on a rented piece of land, has been put together from tin sheets, bamboo, and concrete blocks. The women sit on the mud floor, which reminds one of village houses. Yet this is in Kathmandu.
Located in Mitra Nagar near the Gongabu Bus Park, EPSA is headed by Sangeeta as its president.
“I began working at a leprosy center,” she continues her story, “I was financially stable, but I wasn’t happy. Because of my own struggle, I somehow felt that I had to work for the disabled.”
EPSA was originally established as Disabled Center Nepal seven years back by Sudarshan Gautam, a man who lost both of his arms. Sangeeta joined in as a member.
“Six members of the committee ran off with what little money that had been fund raised and everything fell apart,” she narrates, sitting at the doorstep of the shed. “Sudarshan couldn’t do anything.”
Sangeeta spent most of her time literally going from door to door asking for money to support the nine disabled and elderly people she was left with. People refused to rent out rooms to her when they saw that they were disabled. Deep in debt, she began making and selling candles to hotels in Thamel.
“It was very difficult for me but I still wanted to keep doing it,” puts in Sangeeta, who finally got an opportunity to go to Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to attend a training for the disabled in 2008.
Sangeeta saved all her allowances from the trip, and with additional financial help from the Universal Peace Foundation in Naxal, she built the first two rooms. With further help from the government, she built two others. But that was not enough.
“There are many organizations that provide different types of vocational trainings to disabled people but there is hardly anyone who will give us jobs,” she states from experience and furthers, “We have to create our own jobs.” But making candles and liquid soap weren’t enough to support the livelihood of the disabled women Sangeeta had gathered at EPSA.
And it was during this time, in early 2009, that Sangeeta met 25-year-old Stephanie Woollard, a young Australian woman, with equal passion as hers to help other women.
*****
“I’ve always wanted to help people less fortunate than me and to empower women,” states Stephanie without a moment’s hesitation. A fourth year undergraduate student at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Stephanie arrived in Kathmandu for the sixth time, a week ago.
“There are now seven permanent women who work at EPSA making felt products, candles, knitted wear, and soap,” she says. “I take what they make and sell them back at home to fund raise for EPSA.”
This time Stephanie is here to find a local buyer for their products, so that the women have a constant source of income. At the moment, each woman gets Rs 55 per day, along with some afternoon snacks.
“Every time there is a lecture at the University, I talk about EPSA before it starts,” shares Stephanie, who recently was featured in The Age, a national daily of Australia, for her work with EPSA. “I have 15 volunteers who help me sell the products at the University every week, and on average, we make around 400 dollars per day,” highlights the International Development major.
With the money she has raised so far, EPSA will be renovating its work shed to make a kitchen, replace some of the bamboo walls with stronger materials, and a proper bathroom with handicap accessibility.
“Stephanie sent some money so that I could pay my son’s school fees and also take my husband for medical checkups,” says a thankful Bhawana. Her husband, also disabled, recently developed stomach cancer, and without money, they have not been able to get treatment.
“Before Sangeeta found me, I used to keep a nanglo pasal at Gongabu,” she relates and adds, “I wish the government gave us some kind of allowance.”
Even so, according to Sangeeta, the women at EPSA have become much more outgoing and confident ever since they started working.
“I changed the original name because I didn’t want the label of ‘disabled’. These women maybe physically challenged but are equally intelligent as other people,” she said.
“Stephanie has become an important part of EPSA, and she’s doing a lot for us,” Sangeeta doesn’t forget to mention. She is hopeful that Stephanie will help EPSA realize their dream of getting a permanent structure and opening a rehabilitation center in the future.
On her part, Stephanie concludes, “My inspiration is Sangeeta. She has done so much by herself, and that motivates me to help her.”
Hand in hand, and mind to mind – that is how EPSA works.
http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=20811
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/nepal/005sangita/index.html
Posted by jicafriends at 04:34 PM | Comments (0)
September 21, 2010
Report from Sangita - Nepal
Dear jicafriends,
I missing you all a lot's here. i have been working model work in Nepal for Disability and needy Womens with Poverty.
Now in our project different kinds of production Activities Candle making, liquid soap, Hand knitting and felt etc. it was my Good luck when i met one young lady from Australia last year.
In these days she collecting all Handicraft materials from our EPSA centre and sellling in Australia. That's why so many women involving in our project.
Warm Regards!
sangita pant.
President
Entire power in social Action(EPSA) NEPAL
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/nepal/005sangita/004.html
Posted by jicafriends at 06:58 PM | Comments (0)
LEADERSHIP ON WHEELS - Rolling for a great reason!!!
Dear jicafriends,
I hope you are OK and your life's plenty of love and inspiration.
This email just to say hello, and share some pictures from my recent visit to Bolivia, 4 cities: La Paz, Cochabamba, Tarija and Santa Cruz in a 2 weeks tour.
10 years later, I was coming back to the city of my accident, this time not for engineering work but to share a motivating message of action and leadership aimed to improve Bolivia's future. Many challenging accessibility problems (specially La Paz has stairs everywhere) but full of energy with my second chance on this city, with “a more meaningful life”, as my Japanese friend OK Keiko San said to me weeks before.
There are lots of problems and needs requiring leadership but also many committed young people eager to learn and very receptive to ideas on Projects and Global Competitiveness message. FUNBOLIDER (the organization that supports my visit) is doing a great job, with a growing network of individuals generating positive change in many important areas: social, political, educational, etc. Business and Social Entrepreneurship was one of the goals of our lectures and training.
For the main lecture we had the presence of Colombian Ambassador and The Honorary Consul of Malta, among other personalities and important participants.
Thanks to the media for helping us in this Leadership and Entrepreneurship promotion campaign ( TV, Newspapers and radio). Below some links (in Spanish):
Diario Los Tiempos
http://www.lostiempos.com/diario/actualidad/local/20100824/capacitacion-en-liderazgo-para-editores-de-los_86511_165442.html
Diario La Razon
http://www.la-razon.com/version_fi.php?ArticleId=291&EditionId=619&ids=39
Funbolider's web site
http://www.funbolider.org/recursos/noticias/plcg-la-paz-fabio-padilla/
More information http://www.funbolider.org/
Contacts and customers for my lectures are always welcome.
Now I am looking for support to start similar projects in Colombia and Brazil.
Warm regards,
FABIO PADILLA
Wheelchair Tennis Player and International Speaker
www.fabiopadilla.com
(english and portuguese will be available soon)
“Change is inevitable, DIRECTION is choice!” - Randy Snow
http://jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/colombia/001fabio/007.html
Posted by jicafriends at 06:43 PM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2010
Good news from Ms Christine Hendricks-Jamaica
Dear jicafriends,
I'm just stopping by to let you all know that My Director goes on Pre-retirement leave as of Friday September 17, 2010 until May 2011 and I begin in the position as Acting Director on Monday September, 2010.
I will need your prayers as I seek to make the Goal of the Equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities become more of a reality in Jamaica!!
Those of you who know what it took to get here...I can only say God is faithful to what He said. We will speak some more. Until then..................... I remain Christine Hendricks, your friend....No.... I have not changed and will not ....except for the better!!
Love you guys
Christine Hendricks
Leadership Development Course 2009
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/jamaica/l2009chris/index.html
Posted by jicafriends at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)
Good news from Ms Christine Hendricks-Jamaica
Dear jicafriends,
I'm just stopping by to let you all know that My Director goes on Pre-retirement leave as of Friday September 17, 2010 until May 2011 and I begin in the position as Acting Director on Monday September, 2010.
I will need your prayers as I seek to make the Goal of the Equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities become more of a reality in Jamaica!!
Those of you who know what it took to get here...I can only say God is faithful to what He said. We will speak some more. Until then..................... I remain Christine Hendricks, your friend....No.... I have not changed and will not ....except for the better!!
Love you guys
Christine Hendricks
Leadership Development Course 2009
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/jamaica/l2009chris/index.html
Posted by jicafriends at 09:52 AM | Comments (0)
September 08, 2010
Inclusive Rebuilding Seminar organized UACh in Santiago
Dear Jica friends:
another report
--
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
http://jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/chile/l2003carlos/012.html
Posted by jicafriends at 02:48 PM | Comments (0)
September 06, 2010
Great architect visits Chile to help with inclusive rebuilding efforts.
Dear Jica friends,
I attached a report and two PPT of this activity
I am working now in a report of news that would have a great impact
--
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
http://jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/chile/l2003carlos/011.html
Posted by jicafriends at 03:30 PM | Comments (0)
August 06, 2010
Report from Mr. Miiro Michael
Greetings from Social Rehabilitation Department, Masaka District
The Department has been able to achieve a lot through your support and for
this purpose, please allow me share with you the annual report 2009/2010.
The report is high lightening the following;
The Achievements, the contribution of our Development partners in disability
challenges Conclusion.
Thank you for your kind attention,
Miiro Michael
Senior Rehabilitation Officer-Masaka
Leadership Development Course 2008
http://jicafriends.jp/projects/africa/uganda/001miiro/img/miiro003.pdf
Posted by jicafriends at 03:24 PM | Comments (1)
July 28, 2010
Meeting with the First Lady Cabinet
In Chile, the President’s wife is called the “First Lady”, she is in charge of many nonprofit organizations and her office is located in the government palace called “Palacio de la Moneda”
We held a meeting with her staff regarding with inclusive rebuilding efforts. The main idea is to collaborate and try to establish a real network
First picture, my dear friend and member of our inclusive rebuilding team Mrs lilian Monsalve and I, in front of the government palace
Second picture, Mrs Monsalve, Carlos Kaiser, Mrs Teresa Mira (First lady advisor) and Mr. Jorge Muoz in the Neruda room ino the government palace
Posted by jicafriends at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)
July 16, 2010
Report from Kassiyet-Kazakhistan (July 11, 2010)
Dear jicafriends,
How are you?
Today was first excursion of group for tourists with disability during half day.
I memorized our excursions in Japan and tried to implement them.
The group consisted:
- 1 wheelchair user;
- 3 visual impairment;
- 2 deaf persons with signer;
- 2 persons with cane;
- 1 girl who is moving with assistant’s help.
We moved by 2 invotaxi, especially equipped.
Brale guide book and tactile pictures were prepared for blind.
We found 1 trade center with special toilet and made 30 minutes stop where.
We stopped and walked in several beautiful places. Operator made video for journalists and for
future presentation.
Everything was wonderful, but we should improve and develop our tours.
I was excited so much, but we did it!
Kassiyet.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/kazakhstan/l2009kassiyet/005.html
Posted by jicafriends at 05:26 PM | Comments (0)
Report from Kassiyet san-Kazakhistan (July 4, 2010)
Dear jicafriends,
How are You?
Here is some news about our activities. We've got 2 very nice accessible buses for 11 & 5 places from "Sabi" Charity foundation and Association of disabled people of Almaty. They provide us with drivers and fuel also. So we can start excursions from 11 of July every Saturday-Sunday till 11 of September.
The Big Round Table and the Press-conference will be at July, 14. There we can tell about starting of our project. There will be many journalists.
We are preparing guide books with photos, Braille guide books with tactile pictures and web-site. For some attractions we should prepare the movable rumps.
Interesting, but we are still working as volunteers and our volunteering team and net work of different organizations are widening. We could find just 2 thousands dollars. Because investors think that tourism is not so necessary. But we’re going to prove opposite by our project.
So now we have very hot time.
Kassiyet OMAROVA
Leaders Development Course 2009
Posted by jicafriends at 11:01 AM | Comments (2)
June 15, 2010
Technical and political strategy for Inclusive Rebuilding in Chile.
Technical and political strategy for Inclusive Rebuilding in Chile.
As we advance (too slow I must said) towards Inclusive Rebuilding of Chile, we are using a Technical and political strategy.
a) Technical: to use and generate useful knowledge to be provided to community, government and private sector. We are implementing this strategy. One example of that is the seminar we are organizing with the Pan-American health Organization to be held on 26th of July (more details in next report).
b) Political: we have support from the National Diet. A National Deputy called Mónica Zalaquett coordinate a Political Agreement for granting the Inclusive Rebuilding of Chile (it has the full support of all congress people)
I attached the official document
proyecto de acuerdo discapacidad( PDF file 149KB)
Posted by jicafriends at 08:05 PM | Comments (0)
June 09, 2010
Report from Carlos - Chire
Quirihue Town:
The first inclusive rebuilding experience had finally happened in Quirihue Town, Chile. Many deeds were perform and valuable lessons learnt, but most important hope flame still burns, closing he inequity gap towards a day when in disasters and daily life human beings behaves as brothers and sisters and no one will be left behind to suffer.
We arrive Friday the 28th by midnight to Quirihue Town. We were very excited to start early morning.
That’s part of what we found:
We had 4 strategic products:
1) Disaster and emergency relief for People with disabilities survey.
2) Emergency houses with accessibility to be built.
3) Local inclusive rebuilding committee (PwD organization, local government, regional government, private sector, other organizations).
4) Political declaration called: Quirihue town agreement for the inclusive rebuilding of Chile
We started 8:00 AM with the survey
Many needs to be helped, too much suffering, but above all they stand and prevail !!!!!!
So, we work building emergency houses for people with disabilities that lost their home
The very first house belongs to a young lady, a wheelchair user.
The Quirihue Town Agreement for the Inclusive Rebuilding of Chile.
We had a ceremony with authorities and Quirihue inhabitants. We sign an agreement stating our duty to rebuild Chile for everyone, a barrier free community of free citizens with full access to every corner of our land, the right to be helped when a disaster happens, to use all our resources and will to stand tall in our dark hour helping with real actions those in need.
Along with signing the agreement, we stump a nail in a piece of wood symbolizing t he beginning of the inclusive rebuilding of our country. The agreement was signed by:
• The Governor.
• 2 district congressmen.
• The president of PwDs organization of Quirihue Town
• The Major and his council.
• The regional director of the National Disabilities Service.
• The Executive Secretary of The Disability Commission of the National Association of Enterprises.
• The Coordinator of The Disability Commission of Austral University.
• By me.
The Minister of national Planning and the National Director of the Chilean Cooperation Agency sent their greetings to this initiative.
There are too many things to be done. We will send key data and procedures.
With love, from Chile
Carlos
http://jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/chile/l2003carlos/008.html
Posted by jicafriends at 09:19 AM | Comments (0)
June 02, 2010
Good news of Mr. Try Suphearac from Cambodia
Mr. Try Suphearac, a former participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2007 was invited to participate in the interiorlifestyle Tokyo 2010 by ASEAN-JAPAN CENTER.
http://www.interior-lifestyle.com/en10/
ASEAN-JAPAN CENTER conducted Market Access Support Program-Design & Product Development Workshop in Cambodia & Lao PDR last year 2009.
This workshop is a training program to create awareness on the importance of design and product development for Gifts, Houseware & Decoration, and Furniture & Furnishing products to be exported to Japan. For FY 2009, the program was implemented in Cambodia and Lao PDR in support of the ASEAN’s vision to extend further assistance to new ASEAN members. The first workshop was organized in November 25-27, 2009 in Vientiane, Lao PDR and December 1-3, 2009 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and the second one was in March 11-12 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and March 15-16, 2010 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Three companies from each country were selected to participate in “interiorlifestyle 2010” and Watthan Artisans Cambodia (WAC), a worker-run cooperative of Cambodian artisans with disabilities, was selected as one of representatives.
If you are interested what Mr. Try Suphearac is doing, please visit the following sites.
http://www.wac.khmerproducts.com
/http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/cambodia/002try/index.html
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 01:12 PM | Comments (0)
June 01, 2010
Hello My Dear Japanese Friends and Friends from Japan!
How is life going for you?...
For me, as usual, full of challenges but also full of rewarding experiences.
This time to share with you some pictures of my recent visit to Santa Cruz in Bolivia as the International Instructor of a Leadership Course for FUNBOLIDER, a Foundation working for the Global Competitiveness Leadership that was established as final project of one of my friends from Georgetown University in 2007.
The training was for 42 potential leaders selected among more than 200 candidates, all of them with very good professional background and education.
Disability is not the main topic here nor anyone in the audience has one, but through my stories, projects and group dynamics I did my best to inspire them and call them for action and to develop their leadership potential to improve their country.
Very successful course and lectures in other companies, one of them the largest engineering consortium of Bolivia CAEM - SOINCO and also the main newspaper and media group EL DEBER, here the link with an article about the visit.
http://www.eldeber.com.bo/vernotasantacruz.php?id=100522212458
(of course it's in spanish, sorry!)
Also another lecture in one of the main Universities of Bolivia The UPSA.
It was the perfect scenario to apply one of the group motivation techniques that I've been working on, named "achieving the impossible" which is based on the famous Rubik's cube. And yes!... some ot them made it!
Remember that many of us, with very special life stories and used to overcome obstacles on a dayly basis, have many things to share with all the people, not only PWDs, so c'mon let's keep giving the world a push forward!
I always remember all of you and I'm always expecting another good reason to go back to Japan.
Warm regards,
Fabio Padilla
Colombian Engineer living in Brazil
JICA Leadership course 2006
www.fabiopadilla.com
(web site under construction)
http://jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/colombia/001fabio/006.html
Posted by jicafriends at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)
May 29, 2010
Report from Carlos - Chile
Quirihue Town: first world experience of inclusive rebuilding
Dear friends, as you know many places were destroyed by the earthquake we had in Chile, one of them is Quirihue town.
Quirihue town is located about 72 km northwest of Chillan, 82 miles north of Concepción and 398 kilometers south of Santiago, in the Bío-Bío Region in the province of Ñuble.It has a 589.0 km ² territory and a population of 11 429 inhabitants.
Houses were made of a traditional spanish material called adobe, a very old technique, so more than 70% of the houses buildings were destroyed.
A group of volunteers from Maipu (part of Santiago city), started a fund raising campaing with several stpets towars start the very first inclusive rebuilding experience.
We had a night of artistic shows called “Maipu embraces Quirihue”
We called for volunteers and had several meetings.
May the 29th and 30th we will start the inclusive rebuilding process in Chile, everything starts in Quirihue tow.
Our products:
1. Emergency housing with universal accessibility.
2. Emergency relief and people with disabilities survey
Next report: the experience outcome
Posted by jicafriends at 02:20 PM | Comments (0)
April 30, 2010
Progress Report from Rama - Nepal
Nepal Disabled Women Association (NDWA) is a non-government organization (NGO) established in 1998 adopting the values of the fundamental rights and responsibilities provided by the constitution of Nepal. It supports Women With Disabilities (WWDs) to pursue their human rights through advocacy and a right based approach (RBA).
Nepal Disabled Women Association - NGO
･Aims to build women with disabilities' capacity, especially from remote areas and disadvantaged communities, to empower them, to build their self-esteem and confidence and to enable them to live a dignified life.
･ Advocates for women with disabilities' access to their basic rights such as education, health, employment / livelihoods, rehabilitation, social security and protection.
･ Raises the awareness of the rights and issues of the women with disabilities across all areas of society: WWDs themselves, their families and communities and government. It includes awareness of national and international policies and acts such as "Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women" (CEDAW), "United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" (UN-CRPD).
･ Works WWDs with all type of disabilities: physical disability, visual disability, hearing disability, speech disability, deaf-blind disability, intellectual disability and multiple disabilities
NDWA manages a hostel for women with disabilities since 2005 (2062 B.S.), giving priority to women from remote areas seeking higher education , women without family and Women with Disabilities victims of violence. The hostel has provided services to over 100 women with disabilities since its inauguration.
The hostel, located in Chabhil, Sarsawatinagar, Kathmandu, currently hosts 45 women from all over Nepal, with all kinds of disabilities. It does so without any kind of discrimination. From last year JICA NEPAL proposed to have volunteer for the skill of handicraft. So she taught many handricrafts things . About 7 Women with Disabilites got that training . Now they are making handicrafts and doing marketing . JICA Volunteer went back and again she joined on April now she is doing for marketing. All the women with disabilities are very happy . Developing their confidence and capabilities
Posted by jicafriends at 05:07 PM | Comments (1)
final document inclusive rebuilding plan - Chile
Dear friends:
this very document has been requested by PHAO- OMS. I think could be great if we can have a video conference about this subject.
a lots of love
--
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Posted by jicafriends at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)
April 23, 2010
Report from Carlos - Chile
Dear jicafriends,
This is an updated and upgraded version of the "Inclusive Rebuilding" original document. I am sorry
it is in spanish, I will translate it as soon as possible.
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Posted by jicafriends at 05:33 PM | Comments (0)
April 21, 2010
Newsletter from YPSA, Bangladesh.
YPSA, the organization which Ms. Sadia Tajin, a former participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2008 belongs to sent us their newletter for April.
Posted by jicafriends at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)
April 20, 2010
INDEPENDENT LIVING CHILE
Santiago, Tuesday 13th . Representatives of different organizations of People with disabilities gathered in order to create Independent Living Chile. Independent Living Chile, advocate for the right of People with disabilities to have a voice of their own. Independent Living Chile strongly believes that being part of the general community is more than a right, it is a duty.
The Organization will develop different projects to empower people with disabilities to participate actively in national life and public policy making.
Our first task is to advocate and cooperate with the inclusive rebuilding efforts after the 8.8º righter earthquake in Chile
In the picture, first Independent Living Chile Executive Board
Posted by jicafriends at 06:57 PM | Comments (0)
April 19, 2010
INCLUSIVE REBUILDING MEETING WITH THE PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
Meeting held on Thursday April 15, 2010, at 11:00 Hrs AM, at the offices of PAHO in Chile
Attended the meeting: Dr. Armando Vasquez, Regional Advisor Disability and Rehabilitation PAHO / WHO, and Carlos Kaiser Mansilla on behalf of the Committee of Social Inclusion and Disability Universidad Austral de Chile.
Main topics:
1. An analysis of the status of disabled people in disaster areas.
2. Discussed the need for a system of Emergency Response and Disaster relief with a focus on inclusion of PwD.
3. Discussed the need for Inclusive rebuilding as a key concept to be operational.
It was agreed:
1. The development of materials for the preparation of action plans on a) disaster and emergency relief with a focus on inclusion and b) Inclusive Rebuilding. Materials will be developed to be easy to use, with actions that can be developed at local, national and international levels from public, private, community based, national and international organizations.
2. The publication of studies, reports and manuals in printed and digital format, being able to disseminate the content in different formats and media. The publication languages are: Spanish, Portuguese and English.
3. Make national and international seminars to facilitate the work of a Technical Commission for Inclusive Rebuilding.
4. The first national seminar will be in June.
5. To make a project proposal in a logic framework to apply for WHO funding.
6. The parties agree to invite institutions and experts to participate in this initiative.
In the Picture: Dr. Armando Vásquez Regional Advisor Disability and Rehabilitation PAHO / WHO, and Carlos Kaiser Mansilla on behalf of the Committee of Social Incl
Posted by jicafriends at 03:26 PM | Comments (0)
April 05, 2010
Progress report of “Lochana” (recycled paper product project) from Shalika-Sri Lanka
“Lochana” Recycled Paper Product Project
Miss Susila was born with low vision and became totally blind later in life. She was one of the beneficiaries of the Recycled Paper Product Project launched by the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind. After the completion of her training, she has been endeavouring to perfect her skills. Today, she makes recycled paper products for sale as well as for self satisfaction. She is happy that she learnt the craft as it not only augments her income, but also because it brings her the pleasure of creating something worthwhile.
Shalika Karunaratne
Member - Executive Committee
Sri Lanka Council for the Blind
Posted by jicafriends at 10:39 AM | Comments (0)
April 01, 2010
Report from Shalika-Sri Lanka
Dear jica friends,
There are three competitive examinations in Sri Lanka for the recruitment of persons to the public service. The gazette notification which calls for applications for these exams contained a clause preventing persons with visual disabilities from applying. For years, the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind has been demanding the State to change the detrimental clause.
The request by Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), which is a member of the steering committee on the recruitment of PWDs at the Ministry of Labour and Man Power Resource, was finally honoured this year. Though the gazette notification was not changed, applications from persons with visual disabilities were entertained and for the very first time, in February 2010, nine blind persons sat the competitive exam for recruitment to the Sri Lanka Administrative Service. I am proud to have been involved in opening doorways for the blind. I was one of the two persons who applied to sit the exam in 2006. My application was rejected by the Commissioner of Exams stating that I was not eligible since I was visually impaired. My sacrifice has been fruitful and I hope that the State will take more measures to provide equal opportunities for PWDs in the near future.
Shalika
Posted by jicafriends at 09:54 AM | Comments (0)
March 31, 2010
Report from Carlos-Chile
Dear Jica friends:
Friday the 25th was a great day for inclusive rebuilding efforts in Chile. The Social Inclusion and Disability Commission of Universidad Austral de Chile and the National Planning Ministry held a successful meeting.
The Government analyzed the University’s proposal on how to rebuild Chile with universal design, improving disaster relief aids including people with disabilities needs, and to look for financial sources.
Later this day, we start collaborating with the National Disability Service (a service subordinated to the National Planning Ministery). All efforts and help are truly needed. We estimate 80,000 People with disabilities lost everything in the disaster.
March the 31th an important meeting will be held to coordinate disaster relief aids on field.
Carlos Kaiser (Leaders' Course 2003)
Posted by jicafriends at 09:19 AM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2010
Report from Carlos - Chile
Dear friends,
Please feel free to improve this paper. methodology contained is to be used for everyone, just please mention Universidad Austral de Chile as the source. If you improve it oplease let us know your contribution
Proposal [ PDF file ]
--
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Posted by jicafriends at 03:26 PM | Comments (0)
Report from Kassiyet - Kazakhstan
Dear jicafriends,
I'd like to tell you some news.
I was in business trip in our capital Astana. There was the alumni reunion of JICA. There are around 1 thousand of JICA participants in Kazakhstan.
There were Japan ambassador in Kazakhstan, head of the JICA offices in Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan, people from JICA & Japan Center of Kazakhstan and around 400 JICA participants of different years. I met people from Kazakhstan who were in TIC in the same time with me.
After meeting there was stand-up meal with Japanese food.
Please see the photos from all courses including our leadership development program.
I have an idea about implementing of special equipment for blind in Almaty. To get money from the national budget for next year we should talk about it right now.
I've held a presentation about training in Japan in the Republican library for blind. I told how white canes are making by blind persons in Hamamatsu.
Lyazzat (Vocational Rehab 2007) and me visited the Ministry of Labour & Social Work, OSCE, DPUN. We talked about rights of women with disabilities and our future cooperation with these organizations.
Today there will be program on republic channel about my art activities. My family and friends are looking forward for it.
Kassiyet (Leadership Development Course 2009)
Posted by jicafriends at 02:38 PM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2010
Report from Carlos - Chile
Dear friends,
I am so sorry to send this paper in spanish, but I did not have time yet to transate it. we must insist that aid and disaster relief
have to be inclusive, people with disabilities have human rights to.
Plan de reconstruccion inclusiva para Chile [ PDF file ]
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Posted by jicafriends at 11:20 AM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2010
Report from Kassiyet-Kazakhstan
Dear jicafriends,
I'd like to inform you about first steps of implementing project "Join and enjoy"(Barrier-free tourism in Kazakhstan). I called the project in Russian "Open the way".
We started to work with volunteers, we have just one volunteers' centre in Almaty. It is recruiting for us volunteers to build a team by mailing list. There are some articles in newspapers about "Open the way".
We started to talk with Committee of Asian Winter Games. We'd like to train them how to work with tourists with disabilities. Now I'm collecting the information about barrier-free tourism for lectures.
Everything is going by plan. But, unfortunately, I don't know where to raise finance. There are some social foundations, but they stopped their activity temporarily because of crisis. But I do hope to get it.
Kasia
Leadership Development Course 2009
Posted by jicafriends at 08:25 PM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2010
Report from Nyunt Nyunt - Myanmar
On 22nd February we had an opportunity to visit Vocational Training School for the Adult Disabled, supervised by Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.
Ms. Nyunt Nyunt Win, a former participant of Leaders’ Course 2000, and Deputy Principal of the school gave us a warm welcome at the guest room.
There are only two vocational training schools for persons with disabilities in Myanmar including this training school. Six training courses such as electronic engineering（TV, radio and DVD player repairing,）tailoring, silk screen printing, photography, hair dressing and basic computer skill are provided there for free.
Ms. Nyunt Nyunt takes responsibility for recruiting new trainees, reporting to the government, and supporting Principal. She also works as an instructor for the photograph course. She has been making her tireless efforts to improve the quality of lives of persons with disabilities in Myanmar. We could see her trainees are motivated and encouraged to learn new skills by her.
Two days later we visited JICA Myanmar Office with Ms. Nyunt Nyunt. We met Chief Representative and two Project Formulation Advisors. One of them was in charge of Health and the other person in charge of Human Development including disability issue. We exchanged opinions about the ongoing projects and current situation of persons with disabilities in Myanmar. We promised to keep in contact and work in closer cooperation with each other.
It’s also worth noting that Ms. Nyunt Nyunt belongs to Myanmar Alumni Association of JICA training course.http://www.jica.go.jp/myanmar/english/office/others/alumni.html
She has been working hard for persons with disabilities in Myanmar by cooperating with the other former participants and JICA Myanmar Office.
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 05:23 PM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2010
Tidings from Lilian-Chile
Dear JICA Friends:
I'm fine with my family, but was a great earthquake, with many people dead and may increase the number of deaths.
Luckily! I live in the capital and thank God it was possible to resist ....even continuous shaking, but I hope to God that this will stop at some point.
From my town "Peñalolen" we are organizing ways to help the people of southern Chile.
We would like to know if we can count on your help.
How can we turn to connect and build collaboration?
a big hug to everyone and thanks for the encouraging words.
Lilian Garrido Vasquez
Participant of Leadership Development Course 2007
Santiago de Chile
Posted by jicafriends at 03:46 PM | Comments (0)
Urgent request from Carlos-Chile
Dear friends from all over the world,
I humble need to make an important request related to the earthquake and tsunami in Chile. Is a different one, is not about any kind of resources but your expertise and knolwdge.
We are now facing as a country is the first stage: the emergency. this part is about finding people, restablish order, services and so on
but we need to rebuild a country for everyone, to re build universaly and full inclusive. we also need to help many chilean PwD's they lost even wheelchairs and other important elements.
So, we in the Universidad Austral de Chile (Austral University) are working in a full plan for the authorities, we need all support from all of you, your knwoledge, we need you to check our papers correcting adding or anything you thing may be of use. We will full disclose a new methodology we are working on called " Calculation Matrix of Social Inclusion Index " is a new tool for knowing how inclusive a project is for PwDs. Any person or institution that want to help us, please send an e- mail to:
kaiser.carlos@gmail.com or rsuaustral@uach.cl
*Working Plan*
Background.
1) Chile is facing a great earthquake of 8.8 Righter and a tsunami.
2) Communications are not in good shape.
3) People with disabilities have been ignored until now.
4) Deaf people have no access to public emergency communications and news
It is a difficult scenario but it shows we are no equals. PwDs are always last in government agenda even in disasters. The contingency plan we are creating for Chile, my country is not only meant for Chilean PwDs sake it could serve as a new standard and exigency that our community have to issue worldwide, if we have the same rights we have to be protected and attended in the same time not when everything is lost.
The following is just a measurements to be proposed to authorities.
Stage 1: Mitigation
Problems detected
Homeless persons with disabilities (1).
(1) This category refers to all people with disabilities who, along with having lost their home due to total or partial damage, their technical aids (apparatus or devices essential for daily life activities) are damaged or lost.
Proposed solutions
a) to adapt emergency housing (first stage) for PwD’s necessities to give them as much autonomy, safety and dignity as possible. Delivery must be as fast as possible.
b) Make emergency information and communications fully accessible (interpreters in sign language a first rate necessity due to the fact that 80% of deaf people are illiterate, websites of the media in formats readable for reading programs for blind and visual impaired).
c) to replace lost technical aids (wheelchairs, special lenses, rods, adapters, medicines, etc.). To this end, the National Disability Service may reallocate part of the technical aid budget favoring institutional arrangements with the mayors, governors and local authorities so they can expedite the delivery of more generic technical assistance.
d) Give attention to those needing specialized treatments (physical therapy, pharmacological, psychiatric, etc.).
The networks of universities and professional institutes are ready to support the work contained in this phase.
Stage 2: Inclusive rebuilding
Problems detected
Persons with disabilities cannot fully enjoy their human and constitutional rights due to the characteristics of the physical environment (construction, use) of the Information and Communication Technology, .
Proposed solutions
a) to Comply with the law and ordinances regarding accessibility.
b) to Use all recommendations of experts in accessibility such as Accessible City Fundation.
c) Application of the "Calculation Matrix of Social Inclusion Index" it is a new tool for knowing how inclusive a project of any kind is for PwDs' to evaluate how inclusive a physical space, a technology or procedure is.
d) Implementation Mideplan (National Ministry of Planning) power to grant or denay public funds for construction projects if the project does not meet accessibility in its design.
--
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
JICA participant of Leaders' Course 2003
Social researcher and advicer on Disabilities Issues, Universidad Austral de Chile
Posted by jicafriends at 03:20 PM | Comments (0)
March 01, 2010
Report on earthquake from Carlos-Chile
We would like to express our feelings of sympathy to all the victims of Chile who were badly damaged in the earthquake, occurred on February 27, 2010. We heard that more than 700 people are feared dead and many more trapped in rubble.
Mr. Carlos Kaiser, a jicafriend from Chile sent us the following email today.
Let us pray for our friends in Chile.
**************************************************************************
Dear friends,
As you all know, Chile has been devastated by a great earthquake. it's been hell on earth. Many people lost everything, thanks God the bodycount is (by now) not too high considering the power of this earthquake. We shall endure and will rebuild Chile.
Thanks for your friendship
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla former "Leaders of persons with disabilities" kenshu in 2003
****************************************************************************
Earthquake in Chile
February 27, 2010
At 3:34 am local time, today, February 27th, a devastating magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Chile, one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded. According to Chilean authorities, over 400 people are now known to have been killed. The earthquake also triggered a Tsunami which is right now propagating across the Pacific Ocean, due to arrive in Hawaii in hours (around 11:00 am local time). The severity of the Tsunami is still not known, but alerts are being issued across the Pacific.
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/02/earthquake_in_chile.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:46 AM | Comments (0)
February 22, 2010
Report from Karen-Guyana
Hi Friends,
A just realized that time has flown by it has been over a decade I had the pleasure of visiting Japan, its still my favourite country outside of Guyana.
What has been happening in Guyana since 1999 in the disability movement and what have I been involved in?
In 2002 I won an Organisation of American States (OAS) scholarship to study in Canada I did a BA in Disability Studies completed that in 2005. Returned to Guyana to work. I was the Program Officer for the National Commission on Disability, Ministry of Health for the last four years. While there the major projects I worked on was a survey on children and adults with disabilities; the national consultation process on a draft persons with disabilities bill and the formation of a resource centre with accessible internet service and books,videos and other materials on disabilities.
In 2007 I began laying the groundwork to prepare a certificate course in Disability Studies to be offered through Distance Education, University of Guyana. The inaugural course was completed in October 2007 by ten persons from the pubic and private sector.
In 2009 I transfred to the Ministry of Education to work as the National Coordinator on Special Needs Education. In those years I also pursued an MBA in Project Management completed that in 2009 and in June 2010 begin a MSc in Special Education. I have attached a newspaper article that gives some in spite on my current job. It was great catching up with you and reading about all the other countries in the newsletters over the past years.
Karen Hall, participant of Leaders' Course 1999
http://www.guyanachronicleonline.com/site/
Posted by jicafriends at 10:06 AM | Comments (0)
February 12, 2010
Move to make obtaining disability certificate easier-India
We found the name of Mr.Javed Abidi, the former participant of Leaders' Course 1995 in the following information. It was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
February 12, 2010-The Hindu
Aarti Dhar
Strange as it may sound, it is true. It is easier to get a passport in India than a disability certificate. For the simple reason that the onus of issuing a passport is with the state, while the differently-abled are required to approach the state for getting their disability certified.
“Getting a disability certificate in India is a nightmare. Even in places like Delhi and Mumbai it is next to impossible, one can only imagine what it must be like in the smaller towns and villages,” says Javed Abidi, Director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People.
But now, with the Centre announcing amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Rules, 1996, things are expected to improve. As per the amended rules, the differently-abled will now have to appear before one doctor specialising in the nature of disability instead of a Medical Board, a time consuming process as doctors often skip Board meetings.
Also, now primary health centre (PHC) doctors have been given the right to issue disability certificate in cases of severe disability, while others with partial disability will still have to go to the District Hospital to get one. However, the new rules are yet to be notified.
“While we welcome the amendments, we will fight for empowering the doctors at the PHC level to issue disability certificates of all categories of disability since the present arrangement will leave many people out, thereby depriving them of the benefits,” Mr. Abidi said.
In fact, the XI Plan, approved by the National Development Council, provides for putting the onus of certifying disability on the state as is the case in issuing of a passport, which is delivered at the doorstep once the application has been filed.
The existing arrangement stipulates that a differently-abled person approach a medical board. Sometimes, women have objected to the manner in which the check-ups are conducted before a certificate is issued, Mr. Abidi said. It takes five to six months before a certificate is actually received. But once the new system comes into effect, the least time frame will be reduced drastically.
Announcing the amendments at the Ninth National Meeting of State Commissions for Disabilities, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik asked the States to adopt the amendments and ensure registration of all differently-abled people so that they are under the ambit of government schemes.
Some States have made considerable progress in issuing certificates to differently-abled persons. Andhra Pradesh has covered all, Jharkhand 97. 8 per cent, Goa 89 per cent, Himachal Pradesh 74.8 per cent, Chandigarh 57.5 per cent, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 56.5 per cent, Punjab 53.8
per cent and Karnataka 52.9 per cent.
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article105270.ece
Posted by jicafriends at 04:42 PM | Comments (0)
February 08, 2010
Newsletter from YPSA, Bangladesh.
YPSA, the organization which Ms. Sadia Tajin, a former participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2008 belongs to sent us their newletter for February.
Posted by jicafriends at 06:36 PM | Comments (0)
Good news from Lilian-Chile
03/02/2010
Governor of CHILE, enacts Disability Law:
He stressed that "to achieve full equality of respect to our human rights legislation must recognize the differences that affect people with disabilities.
Santiago, 3 February 2010. In a mass ceremony in the courtyard of the Camellias of the Currency, the President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet, accompanied by Minister of Planning, Paula Quintana, Maria Olivia Recart, the Finance Minister (S), Roberto Cerri, Executive Secretary the National Disability Fund, highest political authorities, representatives of organizations of and for persons with disabilities, among others, became a reality the promulgation of the new law, after four years of discussion in Congress.
The President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet, issued this morning that Law No. 20,422 establishes rules on equal opportunities and social inclusion for people with disabilities, modifying existing law since 1994. "What we're saying with this bill just enacted, to attain full equality with respect for our human rights legislation must recognize the differences that affect people with disabilities," said the governor.
On the occasion, Minister of Planning, Paula Quintana said "we have this new law will take effect from now, but certainly, they will present new challenges in the implementation phase and at that stage, all of us Chile deeply committed to an inclusive and respectful of diversity, we must be vigilant and help push these changes so that all of society's assume ownership.
The President of the Republic pointed out that in the country, "more than 2 million people (12.9%) have some level of disability, and of that group, nearly half have a significant reduction in its functionality or serious difficulties autonomously perform essential activities of daily living.
In that vein, he explained that the new legal framework promotes public-private cooperation, "understanding that disability is an issue that affects all of society" and therefore stated that progress is needed in providing care, services, access to information and institutional support.
He added that "this project has a different look and sees disability not as a health problem or a disease but as a set of conditions that are often created by the context or social environment," adding that the new legislation attempts "ensure the full exercise of their rights and non discrimination," stating "compensatory mechanisms that effectively equalized opportunities for all."
In this regard, the Head of State said that "we have placed in the center of our government social policy, with the idea based on the right of each of the Chileans or all people living in our country to access the same opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, age, physical condition, economic or the place where born ", remarking that" care for people that is behind this new law. "
Recalled that the country has signed various international instruments on the matter, "being the most emblematic of which the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," adding that it was necessary to "revise our legislation, the tools we had and what all we need, eliminating the criteria and practices that, in fact, end up denying equal opportunities. "
In this context, President Bachelet announced the establishment of "a modern public institutions to relieve the disability as a central aspect of public policy, with the creation of the National Disability Service," the current heir Fonadis, but with more powers and representation at regional level ", adding that there will be other government agencies responsible for the item as a Committee of Ministers and a Disability Advisory Council.
He reported that the processes will be streamlined qualification and certification of disability by extending the system of tariff exemptions for imports of equipment, prostheses, medicines and a host of other requirements to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities.
Along with that, he said that "ensuring full access for persons with disabilities to public and private buildings," while "being perfected preferential parking rules" and "incorporate measures to facilitate access for people with disabilities to the educational system and labor market.
The governor said the new law recognizes sign language as a means of communication of people with hearing disabilities, stating that in a period to be determined by the regulations, "the television channels should generate opportunities for access to its programming to deaf people ".
He also stressed that legal action will be created especially for disabled persons "because of an act or omission suffered arbitrary or unlawful threat, disruption or deprivation in the exercise of these rights", reaffirming that "each of these measures is a contribution not only to people living with disabilities, but for all Chileans. "
Finally, the Head of State said that "it is necessary in this and in all areas of social protection, going well beyond the handouts or mere protectionism," emphasizing that "true integration of all people living with disabilities effective is to promote equalization of opportunities for them to really integrate into the community. "
Major benefits of the new law
According to statistics Fonadis in Chile more than two million people have disabilities, representing 12.9% of the total population. Of these, nearly one million have severe difficulty in performing essential activities of daily living such as dressing, movement and overcome the barriers posed by the environment.
Among others, the new legislation into law the following:
The media must use closed captioning and sign language in public service campaigns, electioneering, presidential debates and national chains.
Medicines, medical foods and cosmetics must have Braille signage to inform the product name, date of manufacture and expiry.
All the public transport will make the necessary adjustments to ensure disabled access.
It enshrines the duty of the Ministry of Education to consider special needs students in measures of quality of education such as SIMCE and PSU. To this end, states that the authority must have the tools to enable these students to participate in these processes.
All public buildings existing on the date of publication of the Law must be accessible to persons with disabilities, within 3 years since their regulation is issued.
All selection processes to access education, training or employment examinations must have been adapted for people with disabilities.
The Ministry of Housing shall provide special grants to purchase homes and to enable people with disabilities.
Educational establishments should make curriculum adjustments, infrastructure and support materials for the enrollment and retention of persons with disabilities.
In the process of recruitment of the State Administration and its agencies, municipalities, the National Congress, the organs of the judiciary and the Public Prosecutor of equal merit should be selected preferably to people with disabilities.
Other matters of interest
Among the most relevant measures establishing a modern and robust public institutions intended to relieve the disability as a focus of public policies, creating institutions and instruments, such as the Committee of Ministers of Disability, the National Disability and an Advisory Board.
Similarly, reinforcing the measures that promote public-private cooperation, stressing that disability is an issue that affects all of society and it is the duty of all to help overcome the barriers that prevent or hinder the full integration of these people
Posted by jicafriends at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)
February 03, 2010
Nasscom’s disabled-friendly initiative gets ecstatic welcome-India
We found the name of Mr.Javed Abidi, the former participant of Leaders' Course 1995 in the following information. It was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Ramya Kannan
CHENNAI: Earlier this week, through the contemporary media for newsbreaks, @javed_abidi tweeted about the constitution of Nasscom’s disability advisory group (DAG).
Mr. Abidi, a vociferous campaigner for the rights of the disabled in the country, could scarcely contain his excitement. “It is phenomenal,” he said later, over telephone. “In fact, I think the word should be ‘historic’. We have been lobbying with the Nasscom for more than one-and-a-half yars now. It is good to see they have finally understood the issue of disability and its connect with IT.”
The disability sector is ecstatic with the DAG finally put in place. It is headed by Pradeep Gupta of Cyber Media, who has been sensitive to the requirements of the disabled. Ten members from the disability and IT sectors and a couple of representatives from the Nasscom Foundation, including Som Mittal, are part of the DAG. They are scheduled to meet on Monday.
In using technology, there are a number of issues disabled users face which others cannot even perceive. Text size, contrast and audio-video formats, and assistive devices are considerations. “The group’s agenda is to focus on accessibility, employability and assistive technologies, ” said Nasscom Foundation CEO Rufina Fernandes.
The aim is also to leverage the members’ strengths to translate policy into tangible action. “We already have members who, as part of the industry, have been at the forefront of disabled-friendly initiatives,” Ms. Fernandes said. Besides more access, both to websites and technology, the broader goals of advocacy and imparting skills that facilitate employability will be pursued.
Easy websites
Web Content Access Guidelines (WCAG) were evolved to make the worldwide web more accessible to all. Working on the principle, as Tim Berners-Lee, Director, World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and inventor of the WWW, put it: “The power of the web is in its universality. Access by every one regardless of disability is an essential aspect.”
The WCAG drew up the initial guidelines for site developers and web designers that would take care of the needs of older users and people with disability. The guidelines focus on aspects that will make websites easy for all, not merely special groups, to access. WCAG 1.0 claims that following the guidelines “will also make Web content more available to all users, whatever user agent they use [e.g., desktop browser, voice browser, mobile phone and automobile-based personal computer] or constraints they may be operating under [noisy surroundings, under or over-illuminated rooms, in a hands-free environment]. Following these guidelines will also help people find information on the Web more quickly.”
In December 2008, W3C announced a new set of standards, WCAG 2.0. It is more broadly applicable to different technologies and has clearer criteria, and tools available to tell if your design fits the mould. Apart from increasing the font size, providing higher contrasts and incorporating text into voice components on any site, there is the need to develop hardware (such as special keyboards) and software with local customisation to benefit a large number of disabled users and facilitate
their employability.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/31/stories/2010013155381200.htm
Posted by jicafriends at 04:09 PM | Comments (0)
January 13, 2010
Report form Alphonse-Saint Lucia
Greetings to all,
Konnichiwa!
Let me first start by saying I am so sorry for takeing so long to keep in touch, as I needed to put the jaws program on my laptop to give me access to be able to email you.
I am very much happy in the way in which all of you took care of us back during our stay in Japan,
once again I am so thankful for that.
In that of my project plan I have since met with the dirrector for the organisation for person with disabilities introducing the project to her, she is happy of the idea and is willing to support me all the way, and she is also very possitive about it and think that it can get off the ground.
This coming Thursday I will be meeting with the JICA officer to discuss the posibility of funding the
project wish me all the luck on that. Please send out my regards to all staff, over and out for now looking forward in hearing from you soon.
Alphonse (Leadership Course 2009)
Posted by jicafriends at 09:48 AM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2010
Report from Atif - Pakistan
Dear jica friends,
I pleased to share with you the press clip from Daily Dawn related to the DET (Disability Equality Training) conducted by STEP at Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad. Please find the attachment.
Regards
Atif
Press_on_Disability_06-01-2010 (PDF file 69KB)
--
Muhammad Atif Sheikh
President
Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP)
Posted by jicafriends at 11:58 AM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2010
JICA Report from Central Kalimantan
Dear jicafriends,
My name is Rony Teguh from the University of Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan Indonesia. I was given the opportunity by JICA to undertake training to build a mobile-based content learning for century. many things I learned in Japan. among others, Friendship, Beauty and Knowledge. As long as I was on the island kyusyu. I studied the manners and language of Japan other than my training focus is on the field of information technology.
I bring this story to my students at the university's in a friendship and knowledge between the two countries. while in the saga of the university, I met a good teacher and very well educated. prinsif this is what I bring to the university.
Now I have many friends in Japan especially for the field of information technology. PALANGKA highways and universities work together with universities to build cooperation hokaido human resources using distance learning.
Rony Teguh
JICA 2009
Posted by jicafriends at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2010
Nepal Ratifies UN Disability Rights Convention, Reaffirming its Strong Support
Dear all,
Warm greetings from Nepal!
It's the matter of extreme pleasure to kindly inform you that Nepal
government has just on December 27, 2009 ratified the UNCRPD with its
Optional Protocal.
Please reade more,
RI_PressRelease_Ratification_template
Sincerely yours,
Ram Prasad Dhungana, Former participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 1997
President, NRCD Nepal and
National Secretary, RI Nepal.
Posted by jicafriends at 11:41 PM | Comments (0)
Ex-participants' report from Nepal!
Dearjicafriends
Greetings from Nepal!
At last day of the year 2009, I am sharing information regarding "Promotion and Rehabilitation of Decent works of Persons with Disabilities" which I participate last 16th June to August 1st 2009 in Japan as a JICA trainee. May be it is late to share but I did this task which I mention in the training period.
We are cheers in this time; Nepal ratified UNCRPD last 27th of December 2009 but still thinking implementation process.
I am trying for my action plan also may be I will write very soon for this case.
I am sending news and some picture which i took in sharing Program
At last HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010
Thank you
Kiran Shilpakar
Nepal
Note-Picture details
1. Ex participants same course from Nepal- (from Left to right)Mr.Kiran Shilpakar,Mr. Ram Prasd Dhungana,Ms. Sangeeta Panta,Ms. Rama Dhakal.Mr. Indra Prasad Upadhayay
2. Participants
3. Participants
4. VIPs Guest in Dias
5. VIPs Guest in Dias
6. Mr. Ragav Bir Joshi CA Member for remarks
7. participants
8. in the presentation Mr.Kiran Shilpakar
Posted by jicafriends at 10:34 PM | Comments (0)
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 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
Advertisements
©2006 Ghana News Agency. All rights reserved
http://www.ghananewsagency.org/s_social/r_10665/
Posted by jicafriends at 04:34 PM | Comments (0)
October 28, 2009
International White Cane Day Celebrations
During the Second Convention of the International Federation of the Blind (now the World Blind Union) in 1969, Sri Lanka proposed that the 15th of October be declared as International White Cane Day. The Convention was held in Sri Lanka by the International Federation of the Blind in partnership with the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind (SLCB) as the President of the Federation was a member of the SLCB.
The SLCB annually organises the National White Cane Safety Day Celebrations in a grand manner befitting to the significance of the event. This year, the ceremony took place on the 15th of October in the Public Library Auditorium of Colombo. The Chief Guest, Mrs. Leisha de Silva Chandrasena, Chairperson of Sri Lanka Telecom in her speech, promised to grant a special concessional rate for broad band internet services in order to ensure accessibility to information and communication to persons with visual disabilities. Toe tapping entertainment was provided by Janith Rukmal, a blind undergraduate together with several other blind youth.
There were three very informative speeches. Mr. Gamini Karunaratne enlightened the large audience among which were several high ranking government officials, on the importance of the White Cane. Two ladies, Dr. Mrs. S. Kariyawasam and Ms. Susila Nandani Perera spoke on how they easily adapted to the condition of total blindness with the assistance of the SLCB. Dr. Mrs. Kariyawasam lost her sight later in life while Ms. Perera was born with low vision and completely went blind gradually. Needy persons with visual disabilities received cash grants to support self-employment and construction of houses. Cassette players and talking watches were also donated. All persons with visual disabilities received a white cane each. At the end of the proceedings, we resolved to work with even more commitment towards making the public and private sector aware and recognise our abilities rather than our disabilities.
Shalika Karunaratne
Representative of Sri Lanka - Leaders Course 2006
Member, Executive Committee - Sri Lanka Council for the Blind
http://jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/srilanka/007shalika/005.html
Posted by jicafriends at 02:04 PM | Comments (0)
October 22, 2009
2 NCD’s can take away person’s vision-Fiji
Following information is about Mr. Setareki Macanawai, a former participant of Leaders Course 1999. He is now the Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Disability Forum.
The information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Publish date/time: 21/10/2009 [07:46]
Fijivillage.com
The Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Disability Forum said that taking good care of eyes will save people from losing the most precious body part.
45 year old Setareki Macanawai said that sometimes people do not seem to understand how it feels to be not able to see things.
The National Advisor for Non Communicable Diseases, Dr Isimeli Tukana said that people need to realise that two NCD's can take away a person's vision.
Meanwhile, for the first time ever, people with disabilities in the Pacific will be the focus of a Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial meeting to be held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands from today.
The Secretariat's Acting General Secretary Feleti Teo said that this Forum will be a landmark forum as the Secretariat has for the first time organised a ministerial meeting with a human rights focus.
http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=2110099519c06c498f29ee54f675ac
Posted by jicafriends at 03:42 PM | Comments (0)
September 26, 2009
Good news from Shalika - Sri Lanka
We received a following progress report from Ms. Shalika Karunaratne, a participant of Leaders’ course 2006. It took three years for her to implement her project plan. She now works with Mr. Wijesinghe who supports her to start the project. We firmly believe that it could be done because of Shalika’s tireless efforts and never-give-up spirit. Congratulations! Shalika!
Lochana
An income generating project
for unemployed vision impaired women
This project aims at Promoting employment of persons with visual disabilities for sustainability and self-worth. Mr. Piyadasa Wijesinghe who lost his sight during the bomb blast in January 1996 while he was working at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka as its videographer, has volunteered to train five women with visual disabilities in creating products with recycled paper. Through his own generosity, he provides paper for recycling, gum and tools. Mr. Wijesinghe instructs five women with visual disabilities on how to recycle paper and produce marketable items using their own creativity. Of the five, two are low visioned. Three hour training sessions take place weekly and the trainees have shown great enthusiasm. With their eagerness to learn the trade, Mr. Piyadasa says that they will master the craft by the end of the ten sessioned project.
Shalika Karunaratne
Participant - Leadership Development Course 2006
Member - Executive Committee
Sri Lanka Council for the Blind
Posted by jicafriends at 11:07 PM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2009
Report from Sangita - Nepal
Dear JICA friends!
All the lovely images are staying in my mind, and I miss TIC a lot. I realized my great responsibility and duties for others PWDS of Nepal which I learnt and saw in Japan by practically. Really I had wake up insidely the real activities of PWDS in Japan.
Now our activities is being a model and creative in the reference of my country Nepal. After came back from Japan I struggling here are a lot of NGOs for children and some are for just limit in general awareness & human rights not mentioned for livelihood PWDS,. Now our participants are doing different kinds of activities in own workshop. In future I have a next big dream to establish a rehabilitation centre for Disabled women in Nepal as soon as possible. Many more people is exited so much by our activities. Knitting industry is interested to give order for this kind of women with knitting materials.
.I was failure in the past moment because of lack of clear idea and social knowledge to do run NGO about action plan, good proposal etc. But now when I learnt more and recognized importance of the guideline practically acquired by this JICA training. It was a big achievement and impact for me. I look forward in coming future to go ahead together in co-operation with JICA office. We would like to request join your hands with us. Now I am feeling I am not alone STAYING with JICA.
I have put some pictures activities of disabled & needy women given below:
Posted by jicafriends at 01:33 PM | Comments (0)
September 18, 2009
Mr. Javed Abidi shortlisted for the Guardian Achievements
Mr. Javed Abidi, Honorary Director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), and a former participant of Leaders' Course 1995 has been shortlisted for the Guardian Achievements in International Development Award 2009.
The award is aimed at recognizing some of the unsung heroes of international development and to share the outstanding stories of local successes with a global audience.
What is even more exciting is that Mr. Abidi has made it to the top 5 from 95 other nominations from around the world. He is the only nominee in the top 5 from the disability sector, worldwide.
The winner will now be decided through public voting which will take place between 7 - 30 September 2009.
In his 17 years of work in the sector he has been developing his vision, courage, conviction and integrity. It is time now to take this vision even further, and time to get the stories of persons with disability heard by the world.
Please go to the following link and cast your vote. And please spread the word around!
http://internationalachievementsaward.guardianprofessional.co.uk/judgesnomination/Index
On behalf of Disabled Peoples' International Asia Pacific (DPI/AP) we wish Mr Javed Abidi all the best.
Posted by jicafriends at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2009
Report from Shalika-Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Council for the Blind held its annual Higher Education Scholarship Award Ceremony on the 31st of July 2009.
This special project is sponsored by the Korean Businessmen’s Organisation in Sri Lanka and almost all the graduates with visual disabilities have benefited from it. This year, we identified 46 such deserving students with visual disabilities, out of which 27 were from the Nothern and Eastern provinces of the country (areas which were heavily affected by the war). Seven of the recipients were residents of IDP camps (camps for Internally Displaced Persons). The Deputy Ambassador for Korea in Sri Lanka who was the Chief Guest pointed out the importance of supporting students with visual disabilities to pursue higher studies. The Guest of Honour, the Secretary of the Korean Businessmen’s Association in Sri Lanka vouched to continuously sponsor this benevolent service. Each student received a gift parcel of a cassette player, blank cassettes, Braille paper, slate and stylus. a talking watch and a white cane. Mr. Asoka Weerawardena who himself was a beneficiary of this programme many years ago, testified to its success. He is now the Computer Instructor for PWDs at the University of Colombo. He said that he hailed from a extremely poor family and that his parents could not afford to buy him educational equipment and if not for this programme, he would not have been able to graduate from university. Officials from the ministries of education and social service were present too.
Shalika Karunaratne
Sri Lankan Representative – Leaders Course 2006
Member – Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind
Posted by jicafriends at 10:53 AM | Comments (0)
July 29, 2009
A Happy email from Miiro san-Uganda
Dear All friends,
Greetings from all Persons with disabilities here in Masaka Uganda
I have finally and successfully received my certificate from JICA.
When i got it all my memories of Japan a rose again and i remembered every one of you and every thing that was amazing in Japan, the lessons we had, the tours and above all how empowered PWDs in Japan are!
I wish to say THANK YOU again for all the support you gave me and i learnt a lot.
I promise to continue sharing what i am doing in Masaka and in Uganda at large that is targeting PWDs and i also call upon for your continues support in lobbying for all PWDs in the World to have equal opportunities just like any other person, "as one first becomes a human being before having a disability.
So dear friends, the purpose of this communication to share with you the good news of the reciept of this Certificate in Leadership Developmet for Persons with disabilities.
For God and My Country
Aligato
Miiro San
Senior Rehabilitation Officer-Masaka
Posted by jicafriends at 06:24 PM | Comments (0)
July 10, 2009
Graduated from Georgetown University - Global Leadership 2009
This email to share with all of you my proud for being another member of the group graduated from Georgetown University last June on LEADERSHIP FOR GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAM 2009.
An academic semester of high level training, meeting very important people (presidents, former presidents, ministers, vice-presidents, ambassadors, regional leaders, writers, very experienced teachers ... attending conferences in many organizations / places about all kind of subjects ... an amazing experience in close contact with global power.
I saw President Obama in a NBA bascketball game and then, months later, Senator McCain coming out from an elevator in the offices building of US congress, besides other very important or interesting people, both formally and informally. That's Washington DC. So, I cannot complaint but to be very happy for the great opportunity. Thanks very much to Ardila Lulle Business Group, the Colombian sponsor.
My project is related with something that I have been doing on recent years: motivating people and generating positive changes. That's one of the things I love to do and now I want to take it seriously as a business and also as an instrument to promote worthy social initiatives. So, if you need an Inspirational speaker or instructor not only on Leadership but also in Personal growth and development, Projects Management and work safety, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Your Colombian friend sending warm hugs from Brazil,
Fabio Padilla
Engineer, wheelchair tennis player and Inspirational Speaker
Posted by jicafriends at 07:47 PM | Comments (0)
May 25, 2009
Nameste from Sangita-Nepal
Dear jicafriends,
Now we have launch the three activities in our office they are candle making, knitting and daycare centre for disabled children. Our candle making program is very satisfied. Because of more power failures in our country. But not good market for knitting matrials. The number of tourists are decreasing because of the bad poltical situation. Unfortunately I lost camera so that i couid not take pictures of activities and send them to you. We are going to make a home page so that you can see activities of PWDS and will learn more about us.. We have a big plan to make a rehalbitation centre for Disabled women or homeless people caused by disability in future.
I hope or confidence with my JICA FRIENDS.
Sangita
Posted by jicafriends at 09:44 AM | Comments (0)
May 08, 2009
Disabled ‘broadly’ happy with arrangements in polling booths - India
We again found the name of Mr.Javed Abidi, the former participant of Leaders' Course 1995 in the following information. It was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Times of India
7th May 2009
New Delhi, May 7 (IANS) The teething troubles were quite apparent. Yet, as Delhi went to polls Thursday, the disabled population and NGOs working with the community were more or less happy with the special arrangements made in the polling booths by the Election Commission for the Lok Sabha elections. Javed Abidi, director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for disabled People (NCPEDP), said that he was broadly happy with the facilities in the polling booths for the specially abled people.
“There have been lapses. Some disabled people have complained that the ramp in the booths for wheelchair bound people are too steep. Others have said that in some places the polling officers were unaware of braille strips in the electronic voting machines (EVM) for the benefit of the blind,” Abidi told IANS.
“However, broadly I am happy with the arrangements. These are teething problems and with time I am sure things will smoothen out,” he said.
For the benefit of the disabled population, the Election Commission has ensured that all polling booths would have ramps and the EVMs would have braille strips. According to an Election Commission official a total of 1.05 million EVMs are being used in these elections across various
states, and 450,000 among them are braille enabled.
Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Satbir Silas Bedi added: “We have also sounded the poll officials that separate queues be made for disabled people and senior citizens”.
According to NGOs nearly six percent of India’s population is disabled.
Arunima Jain, a school teacher who is wheelchair bound, said that she was quite happy with the arrangements in her polling booth in south Delhi.
“The ramp in my polling booth was a little steep so my husband had to get help to push me up to the booth. But other than that, I think the arrangements were satisfactory,” she said.
Similarly family members of Bhavya Verma, a wheelchair bound elderly woman who had come to cast her vote in a government school in Aurangzeb Road, said: “We are very happy with the ramp arrangement. She could cast her vote without much hassle.”
Jain however said that her friend who is visually impaired was in for a surprise when he reached the polling booth.
“My friend, who is blind, was shocked when he was told by the polling officer that he was not aware of the braille strip on the EVM. However when he was taken in, he could find the strip on the machine and cast his vote,” she said.
Abidi said that Chief Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla had specifically asked him to compile all the reports and give a detailed feedback on the disabled people’s polling experience so that
appropriate changes can be brought about in the future.
Posted by jicafriends at 01:14 PM | Comments (0)
May 01, 2009
Newsletter from YPSA, Bangladesh.
YPSA, the organization which Ms. Sadia Tajin, a former participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2008 belongs to sent us their newletter for April.
Posted by jicafriends at 05:10 PM | Comments (0)
April 28, 2009
The First Training of Trainers on Disability Equality Training in Kyrgyz Republic held in Bishkek
The Project for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities into Society in Kyrgyz Republic, implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development in cooperation with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), organized a training of trainers on Disability Equality Training (DET) from 2nd February till 7th in Bishkek.
The training course was a first of its kind conducted in Kyrgyz Republic. Dr. Kenji Kuno, a JICA short term expert led the course.
Disability Equality Training (DET) is an approach to raise awareness of all people in the society on disability which was developed based on the “Social Model of Disability”. DET has been implemented in the UK since 1970s. It explores solutions that aim to eliminate discrimination and prejudice experienced by People with Disabilities (PWDs).
Uniqueness of DET is that trainers must be persons with disabilities themselves.
Therefore the training was provided to 10 persons with disabilities selected. After the training many of them have already practicing their knowledge and skill in their own field.
*For more information on DET, see the following website;
http://www.detforum.com
‘For the society that appreciates diversity’, Report by a participant of Training of Trainers on Disability Equality Training
It was a great opportunity for me to join the training of trainers on DET.
Before this training, I had conducted DET by myself with some knowledge and information given by my friends and JICA resource persons. But this training provided me with comprehensive knowledge and practical facilitation skill.
Participants of the training were of different age and with different kinds of disability. DET appreciates the diversity in the society like gender, culture and language. Disability is also considered as one of those diversities. I also enjoyed working in diverse atmosphere.
The training began with ice breaking activity. Dr. Kenji, the tutor of the course, explained the meaning and methodology of each activity as for us to be trainers need to know why and how we do those activities.
First we were asked to re-think about what disability meant to each one of us. Then Dr. Kenji explained why Social Model of Disability needs to be introduced. At first it was a little bit difficult for me to understand the theory since I was also influenced by the traditional model of disability such that a person with disabilities can only enjoy social life if medically rehabilitated.
Social Model of Disability is to eliminate barriers such as attitude, rules or regulations and physical structure. And DET is to find solutions to overcome those barriers with participants, now I clearly understand. (See the table below)
After spending three days on theoretical part on basics of DET and Social Model of Disability, next three days were spent to the practice on our facilitation skill. We tried to facilitate, learned to make presentations, led discussions and practiced affirmative comments to lead participants.
Methodologies that I found useful are as follows;
• Showing the special films;
• Group work which helps to understand the goals better;
• Work by the help of slides and use of drawings;
• Learned how to make effective presentation, to identify goals, to develop program structure;
• To analyze situation and make action plan.
After full six days of training, all the participants including myself were well equipped with knowledge and skill on DET. We are ready to be trainers now. I would like to express my great thankfulness to Dr. Kenji and the organizers of the training.
Ukei Muratalieva
Public Association “Nazik-Kyz”
Posted by jicafriends at 05:31 PM | Comments (0)
April 23, 2009
Polls could be more disabled-friendly-India
We again found the name of Mr.Javed Abidi, the former participant of Leaders' Course 1995 in the following information. http://www.jicafriends.net/archives/2009/04/who_knows_facil.htmlIt was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Times of India
23 Apr 2009, 0211 hrs IST, TNN
Bangalore : If you ask the government, the answer you'll get is that the physically challenged come under the marginalized sections of society -- along with widows, the aged and other minorities. They aren't much of a vote bank for any political party. The Election Commission too is not doing a lot to make the polls disabled-friendly.
A Public Interest Litigation by Disabled Rights Group (DRG) convener Javed Abidi in the Supreme Court led to the 2007 verdict that mandated all polling booths to be made accessible to the physically challenged.
Director of Diversity and Equal Opportunity Centre (DEOC) Rama Chari told TOI that the Chief Election Commissioner had written to all state election commissioners to follow the SC guidelines in these elections.
Now, a DEOC website http://sites.google.com/site/accessibleelections/seeks to sensitise, create awareness and invite suggestions on how to make the elections more accessible. Disabled rights groups say it's the first election since Independence that will be disabled-friendly. The website gives details on voting rights, facilities, election schedule, manifestos and suggestions to the EC.
While the SC verdict mandates permanent ramps at all polling booths, introduction of Electronic Voting Machines containing Braille numerals, separate queues and sensitisation of poll personnel, the website has several suggestions from the public to the EC.
`Every time I was humiliated'
Shankar Shastry, a 35-year-old paraplegic in Bangalore, has been trying to vote during several elections with different results every time. "I managed to get a voter ID, but every time I went to vote, it was a different humiliation. Once, I had to come back because the queue was too long. The next time, the polling officer treated me very badly and I couldn't get to the inaccessible booth,'' he said.
The website also suggests that EVMs be made voice-enabled the next time for those who don't know Braille. Special care for those with cognitive disabilities are also suggested. There are an estimated 70 million physically challenged people in India.
Posted by jicafriends at 01:35 PM | Comments (0)
April 10, 2009
Who knows facilities exist for the disabled to vote?-India
We found the name of Mr.JaJaved Abidi, the former participant of Leaders' Course 1995 in the following information. It was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
It is about Accessible Election for persons with disabilities in India and we heard that Mr. Jaka Tanukusuma, a former participant of Leaders' Course 2005 is now also working with Election Accessebility auditor team in Indonesia. Hope we can share the information on this webpage.
The secretariat of jicafriends
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Deepa Kurup
Lack of publicity on amenities may keep them from voting
All polling booths will have ramps and all EVMs will have Braille readers: Vidyashankar
Disability activists allege violation of 2007 Supreme Court order
BANGALORE: For the first time ever, physically challenged persons will participate in a general election with Braille-enabled electronic voting machines (EVMs), and with ramps installed at every polling centre. Even as this “historic milestone” is celebrated, disability rights activists are irked by inadequate awareness and publicity measures of electoral offices across the country.
“This oversight is in violation of a Supreme Court (SC) order,” alleged Javed Abidi, whose letter to the Chief Justice of India on the mistreatment of physically challenged persons during the 2004 elections resulted in a successful PIL in the Supreme Court.
Mr. Abidi, convener of the Disabled Rights Group (DRG), wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner twice in March, but in vain. “The Supreme Court has very clearly and specifically directed you to not only create special facilities for the physically challenged …but to also give sufficient publicity regarding these measures,” he wrote to the CEC. Mr. Abidi said that the Supreme Court order did not leave scope for any ambiguity. “Given that they had two years to plan, they should have
heeded every word of the order,” he said.
So far, there has not been a single advertisement either in the print media, radio or on television, activists allege. The apex court order, delivered in October 2007, decrees: “Sufficient publicity be given in the print and electronic media… so that persons with disabilities are aware of the facilities beforehand and are thus encouraged to go and exercise their franchise.” The CEC had also put this down in black and white in a letter to State Governments and Chief Electoral Officers in 2007. “Many of the physically challenged persons are not likely to step out to vote because experiences have been full of suffering and humiliation for them,” said Mr. Abidi.
This historic development should have been the highlight of this election — that persons with disability are not an “invisible minority."
http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/10/stories/2009041057440100.htm
Posted by jicafriends at 01:09 PM | Comments (0)
March 31, 2009
Report on Nyunt Nyunt san-Myanmar
Vocational Training School for Adult Disabled was established in 1978. And it is located in Yangon and supervised by Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.
The school provides various types of trainings such as electronic engineering（TV, radio repairing）、tailoring、silk screen printing、photography、hair dressing、and basic computer skill.
The trainees can receive these trainings for free include accommodation, and meal. 50% transportation expenses are covered for those who commute from their house.
Most of trainers have disabilities, and some of them are the graduates of this school.
Ms. Nyunt Nyunt Win, a former participant of Leadership Development Course 2000 works as Deputy Principal of the school now. And she's been making untiring efforts to improve the contents of training programs by using advanced technology such as digital camera or new PC software and so on.
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Posted by jicafriends at 02:23 PM | Comments (3)
March 30, 2009
Good news from Shalika-Sri Lanka
Dear jicafriends,
The Sri Lanka Council for the Blind has been able to persuade the Ministry of Public Administration of Sri Lanka to remove clauses detrimental to PWDs in gazette notifications and ammend the scheme of recruitment. Furthermore, it has been decided that the Department of Labour Relations and Manpower Development will take over the responsibility of placing PWDs in jobs from the Ministry of Social Service and Social Welfare. This is good news for all PWDs in Sri Lanka. Now PWDs with the requisite qualitications will get the opportunity to get equal opportunity in getting a job. PWDs with no educational or professional qualifications will be trained and placed in jobs. The special ID for PWDs is also being processed these days and we hope it will become a reality soon.
Shalika
Posted by jicafriends at 10:36 AM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2009
Report form Kugan-Sri Lanka
We also received a progress report from Mr. Jayakugan, a former participant of Leadership Development Course 2008.
Please refer to the following page.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/srilanka/008jayakugan/index.html
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 06:33 PM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2009
Report from Miiro-Uganda
THE JICA/JSRPD PROGRESS REPORT; 13th,DECEMBER’08 - 13th, MARCH’09
INTRODUCATION:
Today, 13th, March 2009, marks it the 3rd month since I completed Leadership Development for Persons with Disabilities in Japan, together with other eight participants. At the end of the course, I developed a project proposal entitled “ENABLE ME WORK TO LIVE INDEPENDENT”, which is to be implemented in Masaka District. I am sorry to report at this moment, that I have not yet raised the required funds to implement this project, but I am still searching for the funds.
In these three (3) months, I have been able to do the following based on the knowledge acquired from the course.
ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTED.
1. Detailed report training on the Leadership Development for Persons’with Disability was made and shared to all stakeholders. The report also included 4 detailed recommendations like Disability
Track System (Disability ID), Employment Quota System for Persons with Disability, Promotion of Measures for Persons with Disabilities and Main streaming the Disabled persons Organizations
2. I have organized 4 dissemination meetings with the Disabled persons’ organization, which included Masaka District Union of Persons’ with Disabilities (MADIPU), Masaka District Association of the blind (MADIAB), Masaka District Association of Parents of children with disabilities and Kingo Parents of children with disabilities. These meetings were meant to share knowledge and experience that I learnt from Japan and also make them re-organize them selves as the Japanese disabled organization.
3. I received a wheelchair from JSRPD and I am happy to report that this wheel chair was donated to Mugenyi Ronald, a young boy (16 years) with hydrocephalus and physical impaired, in the presence of his father called Mr. Kigganda Moses of Mirambi LC1, Mirambi parish, Kibenge Subcounty, Masaka District.
4. Also I lobbied the Masaka Rotary Club, which donated 90 wheel chair, 6 Wheelchair from Send A cow and Hon. Namagwa S. Mugerwa who donated 30 wheelchairs to the PWDs in the district
5. I have also written to the entire sub county authorities in Masaka District to include PWDs in their planning activities for the financial year 2009/2010. As in most cases PWDs are left out in the planning processes hence not addressing their needs.
6. To address the issues of HIV/AIDS among the PWDs, I have been able to;
Give out 3000 condoms to PWDs from Kisseka Subcounty, Kyanamukaka Subcounty and Katwe/Butego Divisions. This was possible with support from the District Health Department.
Organize radio talk show on HIV/AIDS prevention among PWDs. This was made possible by asistance from NUDIPU
TASO and NUDIPU have also trained disabled persons in Masaka, in basic HIV/AIDS counseling so that they too can be master trainers to PWDs in the District
Civil Society Fund (CSF)/Global Fund approved the project proposal on HIV/AIDS prevention among PWDs in Lwengo Sub county and Kimanya/Kyabakuza Division. I personally wrote this proposal on behalf of MADIPU and I am happy to report that the activities have kicked off.
7. Lastly, I have written to the Chair person of the Parliamentary Committee on Equal Opportunities in the Parliament of Uganda on the issue of supporting the Disability Identity Card
CHALLENGES TO PWDs:
a) I had lost my baggage, which included a bag containing all my documents and files had in Japan and my wheelchair. However after a month I got them back having worked well the Kenya Airways. But this also hindered me, in some way or the other.
b) I have not started on my project and still feeling disappointed. As the project is to address the issue of unemployment and promotion of vocational training among PWDs, which if employed, they
would fight poverty among them selves.
c) Many persons with disability especially the learning difficulties, deaf, blind and deafblind are still highly discriminated in the villages and urgently need proper identification (ID)
d) The Education of the PWDs is very low especially the blind in the only blind primary school (SPEED) in the district, which doesn’t have the necessary Braille materials, reading and sports
equipments. Worse still the parents are poor to take them to Iganga or Soroti District which have well equipped schools
e) Access the rural areas where the PWDs are the majority, is also a hindrance to the project.
f) Inadequate access to rehabilitation services especially in the rural areas.
CONCLUSION:
In a conclusion, I still have hope that the government or a donor will support my project, which will later spread to the rest of the country for the good of PWDs in Uganda.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/africa/uganda/001miiro/index.html
Posted by jicafriends at 04:45 PM | Comments (1)
March 16, 2009
Report from Fabio - colombia
Hello Japanese friends and friends from Japan!
I hope all of you are doing well and having a healthy and rewarding life.
It's been more than a month studying here in Washington DC, (one of the main centers of power and decisions in the world) at Georgetown University. A great and exiting opportunity to share and learn with young leaders from all Iberoamerica, thirteen (13) countries have representatives: Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Colombia. Total: 35 participants.
Being the first PWD (Person with a disability) participating in this Leadership for Global Competitiveness Course is very challenging but a great opportunity at the same time; because we (PWDs) need to “conquer” new spaces every day and show our potential wherever we are.
Sometimes I feel that working too much on projects for PWDs let us, somehow and in some situations, isolated from the rest of the world, and I think that one of the most important every-day goals we have as leaders of PWDs is to integrate our lifes, projects and organizations successfully in the common world. Not to be just another one but giving our best to set outstanding standards to follow.
To be here, enjoying this integral scholarship in one of the top-level Universities in U.S., I had to compete at national level in my country: Colombia, against near 1500 candidates with very good backgrounds; “Real Leaders” as stated in the media by Grupo Ardila Lulle, the business holding that promotes this initiative in Colombia. I don’t know if there were other PWDs competing but, of course, I’m very happy to be one of the lucky four winners. It was the same challenging process for all my colleagues going through several contest stages in their countries.
Luckily there are many other outstanding PWDs in Colombia (including some other JICA ex-participants), but the important thing here is to be present in those relevant scenarios that assure our strength and our presence in the “main stages”. Today and in the future.
Of course I’ve had some problems but rather than complications I prefer to face them as challenges: it’s a hilly city and elevators are not easy to find when moving around the University (just like Japan: “erebeta doko desu ka?...”), I had to ask for some special arrangements in my room and, in many ways, finding my way to be a daily wheelchair student in campus (ask for keys of private elevators, to fill out specific forms to get a special card for Metro or finding different and more effective routes to get to the hotel, which is located in one hill, not so nice for wheelchair users … except when looking for strong arm training.
Some of you may already know how this “group interaction” works, on first weeks everybody is absolutely friendly, everybody is offering to help you (wheelchair and accessibility issues) in many ways, even those you don’t need. And that’s OK.
But sooner or later everyone gets into their own business without much time to loose. So, at the end it’s only you making things on your own way and finding creative solutions if problems arise.
I cannot give you details (because I don’t want to frustrate the very interesting experience in case you face this situation in a future training) but, we had an exercise related with the famous “Milgram Experiment”… using a special technique … and guess what?.... I was the only one who made it different… the only one (out of 35 people) getting out from the experiment trap. And I made it through leadership… I’m sure that has a lot to do with what I learned in Japan.
Hey… hey …. hey! … c’mon! … it’s time for you to be on stage. Show us what you got!
Hugs and greetings for everyone!
Fabio Padilla
Colombian Engineer, wheelchair Tennis Player and Inspirational Speaker
JICA Colombia ex-participant from Leadership Development Course - 2006
Posted by jicafriends at 02:01 PM | Comments (1)
March 05, 2009
I miss my friends-Philippines
Ms. Virginia Escobedo Montilla, a former participant of Leaders' Course 2000 would like to contact with her friends who took part in the same training course.
Nunh from Cambodia, Angelica from Chile, You from China, Tesfay from Eritrea, Sinta from Indonesia, Hamidah from Malaysia, Nyunt Nyunt from Myanmar, and Kittipong from Thailand.
If you read this, please give a mail to jicafriends@jicafriends.jp
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 05:23 PM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2009
Report from pant sangita-Nepal
Dear JICA friends
Many Greeting from Nepal!
Sorry! i am late to give information about my project Activities. Because my org. has stablished own working place(temporary house) to do work. so that many people and PWD'S could enter easily with own equipments in that place.That's what it took a long time.
From this february 1/st, we started knitting training and candle making for PWDS and Needy women.I got so much inspire and courage from JICA training. where I learnt a lots knowledge to go ahead by different workshop of japan. so I would like to say heartly thanks & my evergreen wishes for JICA office and staffs.
My orgnization changed the energetic or suitable name YDPSA(young Disabled Power in Social Action)Nepal in stead of DHH.Soon YDPSA IS GOING TO start a varoius income generation programme for PWD,S. Again Promptly i will send information (pictures and activities) of PWDS.
Now i have sending some pictures & activites of organization.plz l would like to jica friends to see this and suggest me.
best regards!
pant sangita, YDPSA NEPAL.
Posted by jicafriends at 10:06 PM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2009
Federation of the Disabled Appeals to the Government-Ghana
We are so happy to find the name of Mr Samuel Kwasi Asare, a former participant of Leaders' Course 2003 in the mailing list of "Disability and Development." We are very pleased to know that he plays an important role in the disability field of Ghana.The following news reminded us of his honest and tolerant personalities.
By ISD (Zakari Musah)
Social Affairs | Fri, 06 Feb 2009
The Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) http://www.gfdgh.org/ yesterday appealed to President Atta Mills and the appointment's committee, to seriously consider competent and qualified persons with disability for appointment into decision making positions.
It said, this among others, can go a long way to increase awareness within the wider Ghanaian society of the capabilities of the people with disability (PWD), emphasising that 'it will provide positive role models for PWDs and demonstrate to the PWD in general that they are fully accepted as equal members of the society.'
Mr Samuel Kwasi Asare, President of GFD, made the appeal when an 18 member delegation of the federation led by Madam Rita Kyeremaa Kusi, Executive Director of the GFD called the President at the Castle Osu, in Accra.
Mr Kwasi Asare also appealed to the President to come to the aid of the organisations of persons with disabilities in order to ameliorate the challenges of limited resources. He explained that the organisations play a very key role in promoting the welfare of PWD such as mobilisation, sensitisation and advocacy among others.
He observed that even though all children in Ghana have the right to quality education irrespective of their status, children with disability are unable to access and exercise that right. He noted that 'the country can only achieve the Millennium Development Goals target on education for all if all children are given equal treatment and opportunity, whether in special or regular schools.'
He therefore called on the President to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to which Ghana is a signatory.
In his response, President Mills, noted that 'nobody is immune from disability and there is no need for some sector to be discriminated against. Stressing that, 'what we need is not discrimination but willingness to help and appreciate their challenges.'
The President assured the federation that as soon as the government machinery is fully put in place, their plight will be addressed.
http://www.modernghana.com/news/201566/1/federation-of-the-disabled-appeals-to-the-governme.html
Posted by jicafriends at 06:28 PM | Comments (2)
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 (3)
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 (1)
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)
June 28, 2006
Carlos is back
It has been a long time since my lat post. I have been bussy fulfilling
my duties as the National Director of the National Foundation for
Disabilities (Fonadis) a governmental agency. I have visited almost the
whole country, working hard with every regional government and with
every governmental agency.
I had meetings with more than 5,000 people with disabilities. I am
working on modernizing Fonadis, meeting PwD's needs, building a barrier
free society.
Now we are getting ready for the first latin american decade of PwD.
I will send pictures soon.
Carlos
Posted by jicafriends at 11:49 PM | Comments (2)
March 31, 2006
chilean newspapers -Carlos Kaiser
Dear friends,
Michele Bachelette, the new president of Chile has appointed me as the Nacional Director of the nacional Found of disabilities’ issues (this is the government agency of disabilities). I send some material. I am so sorry they are in spanish.
Carlos Kaiser
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.chile.com/tpl/articulo/detalle/ver.tpl?cod_articulo=75180
http://www.lanacion.cl/prontus_noticias/site/edic/2006_03_15_1/home/home.html
http://www.lanacion.cl/prontus_noticias/site/edic/2006_03_19_1/home/home.html
http://www.lacuarta.cl/diario/2006/03/17/17.08.4a.CRO.PUESTO.html
Si necesitas algo mas me avisas,
Isabel Ojeda
MATERIAL PRENSA CARLOS KAISER.doc
Posted by jicafriends at 11:30 AM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2006
summer school -Carlos Kaiser
In Algarrobo we had a summer school withj the Austral University (Valdivia
city 10th region south of Chile).
Occupational therapy student visited PwD in their houses. We got a better
understanding of the real needs of PwD of Algarrobo town.
we got some additional activities such us a tour by Algarrobo harbour.
Carlos
Posted by jicafriends at 11:35 AM | Comments (1)
Soto sama -Carlos Kaiser
Hernan Soto is the person in charge of the rehabiltation unit of the health
ministry of Chile. we have hold several meetins to coordinate initiatives
pro social inclusion of PwD in Algarrobo Town.
in the pictures we have H. Soto, Md Infante, Carla Salinas president of IL
Chile and I.
Carlos
Posted by jicafriends at 11:33 AM | Comments (0)
independent living chile news -Carlos Kaiser
Dear friends,
IL Chile is ready to start its own path.
we start lectures and trainers training activities.
countdown started, we are about to start the first IL
training course ever done in Chile.
Carlos
Posted by jicafriends at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2006
usage of blog -Carlos Kaiser
Dear friends,
I am a little bit concerned about one thing:
we are just posting our news but we are not
commenting others posts.
I would like to encourage all the jica friends
to comment others posts, to share data and
feelings.
I believe this way we will use our blog in a deeper way .
Well, I say it in love.
Carlos Kaiser
Posted by jicafriends at 09:55 AM | Comments (0)
January 16, 2006
openning ceremony -Carlos Kaiser
Dear friends,
the National Found for PwD' Issues (Fonadis) oppened regional offices in every region of the country (Chile is divided into 13 regions).
I had the honor to give the oppenning speech in the ceremony of the 5th region office. the regional offices will help to reach a barrier free society.
I attach a link about my country.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile
Carlos Kaiser
Posted by jicafriends at 03:15 PM | Comments (0)
January 12, 2006
Sofofa Board for PwD's issues went to Algarrobo Town -Carlos Kaiser
Sofofa Is a federation conformed by the largest enterprises of Chile.
They have a commitment with persons with disabilities.
Its board went to Algarrobo Town last janauary the 7th.
We reached agreements to foster PwD's access to work and
to promote Independent Living.
Carlos Kaiser
Posted by jicafriends at 12:16 PM | Comments (1)
January 05, 2006
first Independent living training course -Carlos kaiser
Dear friends,
First of all I wish you a happy year 2006, may al your dreams come true!
I've been off line for a while but I am back.
I have a very good news:
we won The National Found for Disabilities projectcontest.
we get founds for 1 year of Independent Living training course.
I send you the Chilean IL symbol.
thanks for believing in us.
Carlos
Posted by jicafriends at 10:08 AM | Comments (1)