The Kiyosenomori Hospital, Tokyo, held its 13th annual painting awards ceremony on 18th November 2007. The hospital had gathered 130 paintings from all over the country, and the various departments awarded some of the artists with certificates of recognition.

This was the first year that a painting was given the "JOICFP Award," and it was given to a painting selected by Seiichi Tabata, author of the children’s book Pika-Pika, on behalf of JOICFP.

Tabata with some of the pictures
submitted to Kiyosenomori Hospital

The award of a painting under JOICFP’s name represents another big step in collaboration between the two organizations, and raises the profile and credibility of JOICFP among the public and patients who use the hospital.

The hospital later decided that it would send some of the paintings to elementary schools in Afghanistan where JOICFP sends school backpacks (randoseru) in order to further brighten the lives of children there.

It is hoped that sending paintings to Afghanistan will make it possible to build communication between Afghan and Japanese children.

At the award ceremony, the Second Secretary of the Afghan Embassy in Japan thanked the hospital on behalf of Afghanistan for the gifts.

Kiyosenomori Hospital is known in Japan for its excellent maternal care, and it has worked closely with JOICFP in promoting safe motherhood.

For example, the hospital has installed a drinks vending machine where some of the sales price goes to support JOICFP’s White Ribbon Campaign, and it has donated money to JOICFP raised at hospital festivals, where JOICFP was also able to sell fair trade and charity goods.

Furthermore, the hospital has promoted JOICFP’s safe motherhood activities through posters and leaflets in the hospital.