In the Shadow of the same Sun

  During the assessment in UC Panj Pir in Swabi District, JEN staff visited a house and started to interview a lady, during the interview an old man entered the room, and he was not feeling well and upset at that time. We asked him that why he is upset.

  He replied that “it is my second day that I am going to IDPs registration point to register my family to receive food and other support. However, there are thousands of people waiting in the queues for registration. Old people and women have problems to register themselves because the weather is too hot and we have to stand and wait in the sun for many hours but still our turn is not coming. There is no rain and the weather is extremely hot.  Many people became unconscious due to hot weather. “

  Those people belong to the cold areas of Swat, Buner and Kalam. Thousands of tourists were going to those areas in summer holidays because there were a lot of picnic spots and the weather was always very pleasant in summer.

  Old man said that “I was working in his fields back in Swat for many hours under the same sun, but I didn’t feel hot. Now, environment around us is different from past time. We don’t have enough food to eat, beds to sleep on, and pans to cook food. We don’t have fresh water of our springs and we don’t have our sun which isn’t hot.

  I am sure that I will not be registered and I will not receive any support from Government and Organizations. “

  JEN staffs who were doing assessment felt that he would be supported by distributing supplies even if they were not registered with the government.

=== Emergency Assistance in NWFP ===

JEN has started its emergency assistance in the area of NWFP,

DONATE NOW!

=======  For People in Pakistan  =======

Brave Lady of Swat

I started to work with JEN as one of field assistants from last week. I am from Swabi and before I was working with a local organization. I found it very interesting to work with JEN, because I have chance to talk with community directly and I can know about their problems directly. During the assessment in UC Narai in District Mardan , I visited a school where a few IDP families were living in the school building; the situation there seemed getting worse. They told us that they feel us like angels, which will be supporting them in the future.

There I met a woman who leaded her family. She said that she has 7 children and her husband is disable who can’t earn enough money. They had a shop in Swat where the center of the conflict.  That shop was the only source of their income and after becoming IDPs, no more income for them.
She told me her good experience after coming in Mardan. “When I realized the life condition which was getting worse in Mardan, I thought to start some work to support my family, but I didn’t have any resources to start work. I contacted the local families. One lady asked me if I could sew women’s clothes. I replied yes, so the lady from the host family gave me her personal sewing machine, threads and needles. I started to make the clothes of local women and they paid me enough money. I am very happy because many ladies in the village are contacting me to make their clothes. Now I can buy food for my family and medicine for my husband. It is all because of the kindness of local families, who helped me a lot. Without their help, I was unable to use my skills to earn money. “

=== Emergency Assistance in NWFP ===

JEN has started its emergency assistance in the area of NWFP,

DONATE NOW!

=======  For People in Pakistan  =======

This River is coming from my home

  The conflict between militants and Pakistani army is ongoing in NWFP of Pakistan. Swat is one of the battlefields.

  The people of Swat who grown up with enjoy drinking fresh and cold springs and glacier water. They were eating balanced diet in Swat which contains fruit, milk, meat and other important items. It is one of the reasons that their average quality of life is richer than the people living in the cities or downhill areas. 

  Swat is high altitude area, so it is always pleasant in the summer. Thousand of tourists from the other cities of Pakistan were coming with their families to enjoy the wonderful weather, long glaciers, beautiful lakes and vast green valleys.

  There are several rivers and streams in Swat, which extend the beauty of this area. The water of those rivers and streams is coming down to Mardan and Swabi , where JEN has started the support, and it is used by the people of Mardan and Swabi for farming and drinking.

  An old IDP man who lives along the river said

“whenever I see this river, it makes me sad and happy.”

He also said

“This branch of river is starting out from the glaciers of Kalam (swat) which is my hometown. People were using this water for farming, drinking and taking bath in our hometown, I miss my hometown. However, I am happy because I can still use this water here in Mardan although it is 100 Kilo Meters far from my hometown. It is not clean for drinking, but still my children and other people can use the same river to take a bath and at the same time it irrigates thousands of acres of fertile soil of Mardan and Swabi.

=== Emergency Assistance in NWFP ===

JEN has started its emergency assistance in the area of NWFP,

DONATE NOW!

=======  For People in Pakistan  =======

No Boundary Between Countries

   I have been working in JEN Islamabad office for 3 months. It is the longest duration of my work here in the office. While it is nice to work together with office colleagues in the beautiful office, at the same time I miss that time of my field work.

  With JEN I spent my time as a field staff srrounded by the mountains, valleys and rivers of Kashmir and in the rugged areas of Baluchistan. Our previous field team reached to 25 people at one time for the peak period, when we had several different projects going on in Kashmir.

  We had both International and National staff, always working together. The atmosphere was always very nice, no matter how hard to deal with the projects. We were learning from each others, we were eating together and we were always joking with each others in night time.

  Sometimes, our other colleagues from Tokyo Headquarters had come to the field. That was a precious experience to work together with people from different back ground : TOKYO HQ international staff, Japanese International Staff in Pakistan, Pakistani national staff, and Kashmiri local Staff in the field.

   It was very encouraging to work in field together with the colleagues from Tokyo HQ and International staff in Pakistan. However, today, it is getting harder and harder for international staff to come to the field in Pakistan, due to the current volatile situation across the nation.

I miss at that time of working with my colleagues from Japan, Pakistan and Kashmir. Then, I hope to work together in the field again in the near future.

Concern of a mother

  Many people in FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) fled their homes and came to the safe cities of NWFP.

  Topics of conversation among people who live in an IDP (Internal Displaced People) camp in NWFP, where JEN has assessed potential needs, are about their health, security, and future jobs. Education for children seems serious concern particularly for their mothers. Due to a shortage of schools for children, not all children are able to go to school.

  When JEN assessed needs there, JEN staff met a woman who lost her husband and has 2 sons and 3 daughters. She said “In addition to a lack of schools, some societies are not supporting girl’s education. However, my sons and 2 daughters luckily go to school although one of my daughters doesn’t do so because of her age. When my daughters could not go to school yet, they were quite envious of other girls going to schools.

  Then I wanted to let them go to school.” She also mentioned “I lost my only house and am not living in my village now. However, the thing I am concerning most is that my children cannot continue their studies in their school due to the unstablity here.”

Victims of Bajaur

  The conflict between militants and Government Security Forces started in Bajaur Agency and some areas of Mohmand Agency in 2008. Both the parties are justifying themselves as they are winning, in connection with defeating opponents from each side, but what should be kept in mind is that the majority of people affected physically and economically in fact are the poor innocent villagers.  The local Jirga (tribal assembly of elders which takes decisions by compromise) has been resolving their internal issues, and the decision has been happily acceptable by both the parties.

  Those agencies are situated in FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) of northwestern Pakistan. FATA has an exceptional administrative and political status from the British times since 1849.  The people have lived with their traditions and internal independence. This unique system is activating even today.

  But the recent conflict has brought many changes in the areas. Many people fled their homes and came to the safe cities of NWFP. Some people are living in the IDP(Internal Displaced People) camps but much of that displaced population are living outside the camps with their relatives or in rented houses.

  JEN in Pakistan has assessed the potencial needs in NWFP, and seen a bit of reality of the people living in this area. In the camps they have the tents which are lack of rainproof. It looks they are short of medical facilities and schools for their children’s studies. Although some organizations and Government are working hard to implement the support, but still there are many gaps to be covered.

  An old man whom I met in an IDP camp said “Summer is approaching and people don’t have fans, enough water to take a bath or cold water to drink. It will be the worst summer of their life.”

  He said that he will not return to his village until he will be 100% sure about the safe and peace in the area.

  No one knows what is the future of those displaced people come along? JEN is going to continue needs assessment in this area.

Work in progress

  I am a new Programme Officer in Baghdad. I am an Iraqi, born in 1956. I work in the field of education since 1980. I hope that peace will prevail in my country and everyone works dutifully towards construction and development in all areas.

  You know that my country was subjected to three wars since 1980 until 2003 and a scientific and an economic blockade since 1991 until 2003, as well as the problems that occurred after 2003. that these wars have led to the underdevelopment of the country to keep pace with development in all spheres of life. It has produced many of the problems of educational, health, environmental, economic and others. Japanese people would know very well the negative consequences of the wars more than others.

  In these lines, I shall focus on the most important issue that must address is the development of people’s understanding. To enable this development, each of us should understand his rights and duties and have the love of the homeland to contribute to the reconstruction of the country. All decisions need to be made based on public interests, love, peace and tolerance rather than hatred, violence, revenge. It is true that this kind of peace education requires time, I think we should start now, and the beginning with children (kindergartens and schools), because children are more flexible to new concepts and the one who hold the future of my country and its communities.

  Therefore, we have to think about how to do this task. What is the role of the state? How can non-governmental organizations to contribute to it? We should benefit from the experiences of other countries in this area, particularly Japan.

Spring has come. - The day to remember -

  Spring has come in Afghanistan after a long harsh winter. The weather is fantastic. Trees, plants, and fields are covered in green in spring. We are filled with happiness although our life remains very difficult due to unemployment and lack of food. People start going out and go on a picnic.   

  In late April, we have a big event. It’s "Mujahideen Day". We celebrate the day since Mujahideen took over the control of Kabul from former president Najibullah’s communist government. It’s now a public holiday and people and children gather in mosques or in pubic halls to listen to speeches and remember the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. 

  As far as this year’s event in Afghanistan is concerned, there is a big one which is due to take place in summer. It’s our presidential election after Hamid Karzai the current President of Afghanistan. People worry about a considerable worsening of Afghanistan’s security situation and have a complex feeling about the upcoming election.

Village Development in Niigata: Volunteers Wanted!!

    Recruiting Village Revitalization Volunteers for Niigata-Chuetsu Earthquake 2009

~The Challenges facing a Village to Overcome Depopulation after the Earthquake~ 

In 2004 an earthquake of great magnitude devastated the region of Niigata. Despite this tragedy, Iketani and Iriyama of Tokamachi have stood up and faced the damage and started the reconstruction process. Iketani and Iriyama are small settlements consisting of a total of 6 families. Of these 6 families, 4 families consist solely of elderly people, and therefore the village faces the threat of depopulation. Despite this, the elderly are engaging in village revitalization efforts with huge energy. Since 2005, JEN (An international NGO) has aided the busy farming season and recruited volunteers to assist towards their recovery. This year JEN is aiming to establish a system for the continuous return of volunteers to Niigata. Project volunteers are an essential component of the village recovery. We urge you to apply!

Activity Information
The revival of the region affected, adjustment and relief of the villagers environment, conservation, farming with the villagers, helping with the preparation of the harvest festival, collaboration with the locals.
The activities listed may vary with the season

2009 Schedule：
(1st )　2nd May (Sat)－5th May(Tue) 4 days  Finished
(2nd )　12 May (Fri)－14th May (Sun) 3 days Finished
(3rd )　18th June(Fri)－21nd June(Sun) 4 Days WANTED
(4th )　9th Oct (Fri)－12th Sept (Mon) 4 Days WANTED

(5th) 6th Nov(Fri) - 8th Nov(Sun) 3 Days

(6th) 13 Nov(Fri) - 15 Nov(Sun) 3 Days

Lodging/Accommodation:
The Iketani Branch School (A school that was closed 23 years ago has now been refurbished for your use as a lodging facility)

Available Space
15 people per session

Costs

3 days (2 nights) - \6,000
4 days (3 nights) - \8,000

Trips inclusive of lodging and food expenses

Transportation costs are not included, therefore you must make your own way to the location. The location is accessible by car or train.

Assembly Time/Place:

The entrance (West exit) to the Tokamachi Station of the ‘Hoku Hoku Line’, Tokamachi, Niigata
Friday 07:30pm

■Departure time/place：

The entrance to the Tokamachi Station of the ‘Hoku Hoku Line’, Tokamachi, Niigata
01:00pm on the final day
※The time of departure may vary with the activity

Deadline

The trip will stop taking volunteers when the number of participants is full for any of the trips.
For more information, please contact us.

How to join in：

First download our application form and fill in the necessary information. Please send the application form by Fax or email. If you do not have the above then contact us by telephone and then we will send you the application form by mail. After your application has been received, JEN will verify the information and contact you again. Once we have verified your application, we can finalise the necessary arrangements. The link of the application form is below:
What to bring：

Gloves( non-slip )、long boots/rubber boots、long sleeved shirt, hat, mask, rain coat etc.
-Please contact us if you would like to borrow a pair of boots

Contact Information

JEN- Tokyo Headquarters’ executive office,
Contact - Handa (Program Officer for Niigata)
TEL：03-5225-9352
FAX：03-5225-9357
E-mail：info@jen-npo.org
※This program has been made possible due to the collaboration of the Tokamachi Regional Development Planning Committee

Marriage after disaster

  The marriages in Baluchistan are very interesting. People are doing a lot of arrangements for this event.

  Groom’s family, relatives and friends are preparing for the event one month before. Females and children are wearing new clothes and they start to celebrate the marriage almost 3 days before. The women are gathering in the Groom’s and bride’s house at night and singing together with the beat of drums, although this area is considered to be a conservative Muslim area, but still they show their joy and happiness in that way. The food for the marriage is rice with the sheep’s meet and curry.

  As the other regions, here in Baluchistan also Groom and bride can see each others after they agree verbally, that they accept each others as a couple in presences of Molvi (a religious teacher) and two or three witnesses. Bride and groom are mainly selected within the family or tribe.

  There are a few cases of love marriages, but it is highly dislike by the parents and elder community. The divorce rate is too low.

  In many villages, men are celebrating the marriage with traditional dance called ATTAN, which is national dance of Afghanistan and very common in Pashtun tribes of Pakistan. The dancers which are friends of groom and some professional dancers move in circles while clapping their hands to the rhythm and spinning around.

  All those information I got from the local people while working in those areas, but in my presence I saw two marriages, one was in Quetta and other was in Ziarat. I didn’t see any ATTAN dance or other celebration in the marriage at Ziarat; it was due to the sorrow of earthquake. People said they are happy but they can’t show their happiness in the way of dancing and singing, because they remember the people who were killed by the earthquake a few months ago and they remember their houses which were destroyed in the same earthquake. Now they are living in the shelters and tents provided by the humanitarian agencies.

  It is sad that the people can’t celebrate their weddings in their traditional ways due to the disaster, but at the same time it is encouraging seeing that they didn’t stop the marriage ceremonies and still doing that social and spiritual union of individual; even they don’t have proper rooms for living, but they use JEN tent as a room for this good purpose.