Contributions to JOICFP from the public and money raised from the Aichi Expo 2005, along with sales of goods such as fair-trade coffee and African art have funded a Community Partnership Project in Tanzania.
Still, many Japanese people are unaware of the realities of life in developing countries, and to further raise awareness of the needs of people in developing countries, JOICFP organized a press tour to Tanzania, from 6th to 17th October.
Two reporters from national newspapers, two from wire services took part, and a freelance photographer visited four project areas in Dar es Salaam, and the regions of Morogoro, Kilimanjaro and Mwanza.
The journalists met with villagers, Community-based Service Providers (CBSPs), traditional birth attendants (TBAs), women who had given birth in the village and those who had delivered in hospitals, AIDS orphans and abandoned children.
73 years old - and raising five children
In Mukirira village, Musoma District, Mara region, Anastazia Nyabulegesi,73 years old, finds herself raising five young children. Both Nyabulegesi's son and daughter died of AIDS, leaving behind young children. Only Nyabulegesi was left to look after them.
As if this were not bad enough, Nyabulegesi has to do this on around US$1 a week. In addition to the poverty, lack of food and malnutrition are real concerns.
At 73, Anastazia Nyabulegesi finds
herself raising five children alone
The journalists were impressed by the hard work and efforts of the CBSPs. They are volunteers and receive no payment for helping for the community. When asked by the journalists why they devoted their time and efforts to helping the community, they were told that the satisfaction and respect they gained made it worthwhile.
Even though Tanzania was the first country in Africa to receive JOICFP's integrated project (IP) approach, and is politically stable, there are still many problems related to pregnancy and childbirth.
CBSPs such as this woman travel around
the area
by bicycle, delivering health information and care
The journalists also observed a ceremony to hand over relief clothing to orphans. When they asked why it was necessary to make such a formal event, they were told that in this way nobody would try to take the clothes away from the orphans afterwards. Without a public display of ownership, people at the grassroots often fail to receive aid sent to them.
To date, several newspaper and wire articles have been published, and the photographs taken in the project sites will provide a vivid and clear explanation of the realities of life in developing countries to the Japanese public.
The issue of African development is becoming more important in Japan as 2008 will see Japan hosting the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV), in May, and the G8 summit in July.
|
