The scope of activity of SHAPLA NEER is not limited to outside of Japan.
In order to support the projects abroad (Bangladesh and Nepal) and to make
many Japanese people aware of the reality of North-South issues, we have
various programs also in Japan under many volunteers' cooperation.
Some
examples are following:
Many volunteers all over Japan cooperate this project under the catchphrase
of "The easiest support for overseas." All handicrafts SHAPLA
NEER deals in are handmade one by one, by Bangladesh and Nepalese women
to improve their life. We import various handicrafts such as jute products
(handbags, wall decorations, hand puppets), cane work (baskets, accessory
cases), traditional embroidery of Bengal area (called Nakshikantha), handmade
paper made from jute fiber, and hand-woven clothes.
Purchasing these handicrafts not only produces those women's jobs, but
also lets us learn their life and culture more close by seeing and touching
these real products.
There are a couple of ways of purchasing these handicrafts. Besides personal
purchase (available through telephone, fax, mail as well as internet order),
there is the form called "Consignment sale" in which is suitable
for individual and group of volunteers to sell them making use of bazaars,
school festivals or other events in various part of Japan. In case of
this "Consignment sale," volunteers can return the unsold ones
to SHAPLA NEER after the enent, so that people can take part in this project
very easily. In 1998, the handicrafts sales were taken place about 900
times. Also, another way called "Joint purchase" which is literary
good for group purches such as in neighborhoods or offices or schools
is possible with a 10% discount.
- Invitation of the Guest Speakers
SHAPLA NEER invites the persons concerned and Japanese local staffs
from Bangladesh and Nepal and have talks all over Japan every year with
interesting subjects such as handicraft work, literacy, women and children.
In 1999, SHAPLA NEER visited 104 places in Japan in spring and fall
with the staffs of handicraft work NGO in Nepal and Bangladesh as well
as Japanese staffs who just had returned from Bangladesh. The talks
are sometimes accompanied with the picture panel exhibitions and the
shows of videos and slides which tell participants how the overseas
projects are held, as well as the bazaars of handicraft work and the
classes of curry cooking.
- Study Tour
Study tour is held in winter and summer every year. The participants
actually visit Bangladesh and Nepal to see the projects on the spot,
and have interchange with the natives. There are other tours which make
the specific theme and target such as producing places of handicrafts
or for junior and senior high school students.
- Youth Forum
The purpose of this forum is to give high school and junior high school
students an opportunity to think about international cooperation for
the future activities. The young spend day and night together with much
fun, including many activities, such as talking to students from abroad
and fieldwork of NGO. It was held in Tokyo and Fukuoka in 1999, and
about fifty-five people joined every year.
- NGO College
This is a seminar style program where all the experiences, knowledge
and personal relationships of SHAPLA NEER is gathered. It provides an
opportunity to learn how the grass-roots overseas cooperation should
be conducted, and to learn the knowledge and skills necessary for the
aid works. SHAPLA NEER provides three courses in 1999 for the subject
of "What does Participatory Development mean for Us?"; There
were three courses, a training course in Japan only with lectures and
workshops and a training course abroad only with fieldwork, and a comprehensive
course having both contents of two above-mentioned courses.
- Picture panel exhibitions of our activities
SHAPLA NEER has panel exhibitions using public institutions and post
offices. Since SHAPLA NEER is distributed the international volunteer
savings of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication, the panel exhibitions
in the post offices are in increase. Also, SHAPLA NEER has the exhibitions
in the festivals of high schools and universities. There are three kinds
of panel set, a set of twelve panels introducing the activities of SHAPLA
NEER in and outside Japan and a set of nine panels introducing the scenes
of producing handicraft work, and a set of hundred panels introducing
scenes of interview with hundred street children in Dhaka. We are pleased
to lend out the panels to anyone with the exhibition spaces. Please
feel free to call us.
- Welcome to SHAPLA NEER! Volunteer introduction course
This course is for those who get in touch with SHAPLA NEER or volunteer
activity first. It is held twice a month in Tokyo office. You can experience
volunteer activity there.
- SHAPLA NEER Drama team
Based on the popular drama which is performed by the people in the village
of Bangladesh, the volunteers are presenting the play in Tokyo mainly.
There are regular meetings.
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