～ With people from Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. and
       Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group, Inc. ～

  It was a cold winter work day. The morning was clear, but a light rain began to fall before noon, forcing us to stop our work. However, thanks to the hard work of all the participants, we were able to carry out the activities as scheduled.

  Along with the work, the annual year-end rice-cake pounding event was held, creating a festive atmosphere that made the meeting enjoyable.

  The participants were Nikko Asset Management and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group members (including three children), Ethiopian Group, Vietnamese group, Sagami Women’s University group, general volunteers, and staff, 39 in total.

  In addition to their participation in these meeting activities, the members of Nikko Asset Management Co. support our NGO with donations from their employees and the company.

  With such participants, work has begun on a new project. As for the shipping destination, Nepal is currently the most promising. The results of the day’s work were 10 wheelchairs completed packed, and 9 wheelchairs cleaned and maintained to completion.

  A radio program production staff from NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) came to cover this activity, which is scheduled to be broadcast on December 13. We will provide more details as soon as they are available.

  Thank you all for your support over the year. I look forward to working with you again next year.

December 10, 2024      Secretariat

(How to see the photos)Click on the photos to enlarge them.

Tatami mats and plywood arranged around a warm, sunny area and wheelchairs for cleaning placed on top of them. Now ready to receive volunteers.

Vietnamese group taking temperatures and filling out name and contact information for ongoing corona control on arrival. The Ethiopian flag, which Mr. Abebe raises first each time, welcomes everyone.

(Left) Members of Nikko AM and SMTG have arrived.
(Right) Abebe and his group getting to work.

Members of Nikko AM and SMTG. The children did a good job of wheelchair cleaning with their mothers.

Vietnamese group did a great job, including some beginners.

〇Mochi-tsuki(rice cake poundng)

Sounds of “Pettan, pettan” echoes through the air, reminding us of the end of the year.

Everyone enjoyed freshly pounded mochi into ankoro (red bean paste), grated daikon (grated radish), and yolk powder rice cakes. Children also participated in making ankoro. We also prepared pork miso soup with rice cake inside. It was delicious.

〇Photos after the work.

(Left) Vietnamese group. They always participate in the meeting without fail.
(Right) Nikko AM and SMTG. This is the first time since April 2, 2023 that they joined our activities. Thank you for your support both through participation in the activities and donations!

Finally, Chairperson Morita thanked everyone for their participation. He also reported that it was the 20th anniversary and that we had reached 10,000 units, and introduced the T-shirts.

Thank you very much for participating in our last meeting of the year.
Please join us again next year.

  On November 10, 2024, we had a final meeting for Mongolia. The participants were Vietnamese group, Tama Technical High School group, Ethiopian group, general volunteers, and staff:34 in total.

  For Mongolia, the original plan was to send 90 wheelchairs in a 20-foot container. However, due to the large number of oversized wheelchairs that had already been packed, it became clear that the 20-foot container would not be able to hold the 90 wheelchairs. So we decided to switch to a 40-foot container.

  This is the first time for us to send wheelchairs to our Mongolian partner, the recipient of this project, on our own. Therefore, we decided to send as many different wheelchairs and equipment as possible for evaluation. The switch to the 40-foot container allowed us to prepare a larger and more diverse selection of equipment.

  The contents to be sent to Mongolia this time are as follows: 52 wheelchairs, 13 buggy types, 12 sitting-aid devices, 3 stretchers, 15 walking trainers, 7 standing trainers, 3 bath chairs, and 2 car seats, for a total of 107 units. We also packed 64 prostheses for lower limb support and 8 headgears for head protection in 4 cardboard boxes. It is thanks to the many volunteers that we are able to send such a large number of units.

  Vietnamese group prepared “pho” for lunch that day. When they arrived, several members in charge of cooking began preparing the pho. Watching them, it was clear that they put a lot of time and effort into it. At lunchtime, all the participants enjoyed the pho in bowls and raved about how delicious it was. “It’s like we’re in Vietnam, though I’ve never been there,” they exclaimed.

  We had a special guest on that day. We handed over a wheelchair to one of the Vietnamese volunteers whose son needed one on August 18. The boy came with his parents on his wheelchair. They really appreciate the wheelchair. However, they had the request for its noisy plastic casters and the height of the seat. We immediately replaced the casters with rubber ones and added an extra seat cushion. He was delighted and seemed comfortable. Later, Tyne joined us in cleaning wheelchairs with his mother.

  It was a happy event for us to be able to connect with different people through our activities. We will continue our activities with the participation of many people in the future. Thank you again, everyone.

November 12, 2024      Secretariat

(How to see the photos)Click on the photos to enlarge them.

Ethiopian group, the first to arrive, is setting up the venue again today. They know how to do it, so they are moving ahead on their own.

Once the venue is set up, they begin cleaning and maintenance work.

Tama Technical High School group is in charge of packing.

Vietnamese group is also starting work. Experienced members lead the work.

(Left) Tyne’s wheelchair. An additional cushion was installed by a volunteer, Ms. T, and the front wheel casters were replaced by our staff.
(Right) Ms. T explained the correct way to ride the wheelchair to his parents.

(Left) Tyne and his mother are cleaning a wheelchair.
(Right) Tyne with his father, mother, and Chairperson Morita.

Vietnamese group enjoying making pho.

Pho (left) and Mimigar salad (right) on today’s menu.

(Left) Ethiopian group enjoying Vietnamese cuisine.
(Right) Tama Technical High School teachers and students.

      Wheelchair　　　　　　buggy　　　　　 sitting aid　　　　 walking trainer

   standing trainer　　　　car seat　　　　　　stretcher　　　　　bath chair

(Left)prostheses(for lower limb support)
(Right)headgear(for head protection)

  On October 13, 2024, we had a monthly meeting in pleasant autumn weather. The sun was still quite strong, and we provided tents and tarps as we had before.

  The participants were Sagami Women’s University group, Vietnamese group, Tokyo Akishima Chuo Rotary Club members, Tama Technical High School group, Ethiopian group, general volunteers, staff members, and several guests. We had a total of 51 people!

  The guests were Mr. and Mrs. V from Ukraine (plus their three-year-old daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Y from Hamamatsu, Mr. B from Mongolia, and Ms. D and her daughter from Nepal.

  The work of the day was cleaning, maintenance, and packing for Mongolia, which started in June. The cleaning and maintenance work was done by a veteran Vietnamese group and members of the Akishima Chuo Rotary Club. Of course, the Ethiopian group, Sagami Women’s University group, and general volunteers also played an active role.

  The Tama Technical High School group, the largest ever to join in the meeting, took the lead in the packing process, working in three teams to complete one package after another.

  Thanks to everyone’s hard work, we completed our goal of 20 wheelchairs by just after 2:00 pm. We now have 80 units for Mongolia; we will complete the remaining 10 units in November and ship them to Mongolia by the end of November or early December.

  Thank you all for participating today. And thank you for your hard work.

October 16, 2024      Secretariat

(How to see the photos)Click on the photos to enlarge them.

(Left) The Ethiopian group arrived much earlier than the other volunteers to help set up the tents and tarps at the venue.
(Right) Mr. Abebe of the Ethiopian group put up the Ethiopian flag at the venue.

(Left) Rotary club members put up their club flag and the Mongolian flag.
(Right) After the venue was set up, the Rotary Club members immediately got to work.

Rotary club members were wearing matching white T-shirts with the club’s logo.

The Vietnamese team arrived and immediately began cleaning and maintenance work.

                        The Ehiopian group also began working.

Tama Technical High School was divided into three teams for packing. They were very powerful.

This is Ms. D and her daughter from Nepal. (The white hat is the mother and the striped shirt is the daughter.)   They live close to the venue, so they often come to see our activities these days. Today we worked together.

During the activity, T-shirts made in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the founding of our NGO and the 10,000th wheelchair donation were distributed and worn by the participants.

These are the S brothers who are making salads. They always make delicious food, but today they are in charge of salads.   Today we enjoyed Ethiopian curry prepared by Abebe. (I forgot to take a picture of Abebe-san cooking. Sorry!)

(Left) The Tama Technical High School group is pleased with the special curry by Mr. Abebe.
(Right) Mr. Y, who used to join in our activities once a month as a member of Boy Scout Akiruno Troop 1 from 2007 to 2011, came again after more than 10 years. This time he is with his wife, who is from Vietnam. They worked with the Vietnamese group.

(Left) Vietnamese group also enjoys Ethiopian curry.
(Right) Valeria’s family from Ukraine.

Ethiopian group. Sagami Women’s Uni group.

(Left) Valeria from Ukraine (the woman in the dark red shirt) thanked us for sending wheelchairs to Ukraine.
(Right) Mr. Morita, the chairperson, introduced the T-shirts and thanked everyone for their participation.

(Left)Akishima Chuo Rotary Club members and Mr. Morita.
(Right)Today’s participants. Thank you all for your hard work!

  On October 6, 2024, we had a temporary work meeting with 11 participants including two employees from MFS Investment Management Co. At the end of August, we had got an inquiry asking about sending wheelchairs to Ukraine. The person who sent us a consulting e-mail after being introduced by JICA was Tokyo-based Tuzi Valeria, who is an ambassador for Misto Dobra, a charity organization active in Ukraine.

  We’ve been supporting Ukraine with other organizations. When we asked her about the recipient of the wheelchairs, she gave us the following detailed information about Misto Dobra, the charity organization in Ukraine.

  “Misto Dobra was founded in 2016 as a place to protect and provide complex assistance to women and children in difficult living conditions, families suffering from violence, and children in need of palliative treatment and rehabilitation. Currently, Misto Dobra also assists children who have been forced to evacuate due to war; Misto Dobra is home to some 300 people, including the following.
　　- Orphans from evacuated boarding schools
　　- Seriously ill children
　　- Mothers with children in need of physical, mental or medical protection;
        mothers who are unable to raise their children due to poverty and are in         danger of having their children transferred to an orphanage
　　- People who have lost their homes due to war
　　- People suffering from domestic violence, etc.
  Misto Dobra receives no state support and is funded solely by caring people who want to be involved in solving the problems of establishing shelters, caring for children, and overcoming poverty and insecurity among the most downtrodden Ukrainians.”

  The Ukrainian Embassy arranged for a container to leave Japan in October to carry the relief supplies to Ukraine, and she asked if we could put about 15 wheelchairs on that container, which would then be delivered to Misto Dobra in Ukraine without fail.

  After Valeria’s explanation, we decided to send 15 wheelchairs to Ukraine. However, at that point, the September meeting was over and we would not be able to clean and maintain wheelchairs. So, we held a temporary meeting on October 6 to do the preparatory work for the shipment.

  Due to the poor weather conditions, we had to call for help on short notice, and although we had fewer people than usual, we somehow managed to finish packing 15 units thanks to everyone’s hard work. We’re really grateful for that.

October 9, 2024      Secretariat

(How to see the photos)Click on the photos to enlarge them.

We set up tents and tarps as it was raining lightly in the morning.

We selected wheelchairs in good condition that could be packed immediately and began packing them.

(Left) Cleaning and safety-related repairs and checks were done.
(Right) After cleaning and maintenance were completed, MFS stickers were put to show those who did the work.

(Left) Two people (Mr. F and Mr. S) from MFS Investment Management Co. Mr. F(on the right) is pointing to where the company’s sticker is attached.
(Right) The company had made the stickers when they participated in the past meetings, and we still had some in stock. We put their stickers on all the wheelchairs. Our NGO’s stickers were also attached.

Thanks to everyone’s hard work, the work was completed after 12:00 p.m. and we had lunch together.

The chairperson, Mr. Morita, thanked everyone for coming together on this extraordinary day. Thank you all.

We look forward to seeing you all again!

  On September 8, 2024, the temperature before 9:00 a.m. was 29°C, but soon exceeded 30. The sun was not so strong as in August in the morning, but gradually became stronger, and by noon the temperature exceeded 40°C. Dangerously hot days still remain in September. We kept calling out “Take plenty of water and rest!” during the monthly meeting on this day.

  The participants were Sagami Women’s University group, Vietnamese group, Tama Technical High School group, general volunteers, and staff, 30 in total.

  We urged them to work in the shade of tents, tarps, or warehouses, as working in the sun was strictly forbidden. We also made sure that they stayed hydrated at all times. Cold tea, sports drinks, ice cream, etc. were provided on this day.

  Thanks to everyone’s hard work, 17 wheelchairs have been cleaned, maintained and packed. We now have 57 wheelchairs ready for Mongolia.

September 11, 2024      Secretariat

A view of the warehouse and the thermometer after 9:00 in the morning. It was already showing 32°C. The humidity was also quite high at 68%.

Tama Technical High School teachers and students immediately began packing work.

(Left) Tama Technical High School had a large number of members, so they were divided into two packing teams and one cleaning team.
(Right) The leader of the Sagami Women’s University group (the woman squatting backward) joined the cleaning team of Tama Technical High School in a support role. This is where interaction between a university student and high school students takes place!

The 10 members of the Vietnamese group worked simultaneously under two tents to clean and maintain three wheelchairs.

We prepared lots of cold drinks. We also had drinks brought in and two cooler boxes and one cooler bag were full.

The Sora brothers prepared lunch again today. It was a gorgeous version of takikomi-gohan, yakitori, salad, and melon. Ice cream was also served after lunch.

Vietnamese group at lunchtime.

Tama Technical High School group eating ice cream together.

Thank you all for coming in the heat!

  On August 18, 2024, we had a monthly meeting still in the extreme heat of summer. The second Sunday in August was also the middle of a three-day weekend, as in July, so the meeting was moved to the third Sunday, August 18.

  Like the last time, we told the participants never to work in the sun, and to work in tents, tarps, or in the shade of the warehouse, instead. We also made sure that everyone was hydrated at all times. Cold tea, sports drinks, watermelon, ice cream, and other beverages were provided.

  The participants of the day were Sagami Women’s University group, Vietnamese group, Tama Techniucal High School group, Ethiopean group, general volunteer, and staff members: 27 in total. Despite the intense heat, their hard work enabled us to complete the cleaning, maintenance, and packing of 14 wheelchairs.

  This brings us 40 units ready for Mongolia. We expect to reach our goal of 90 units by December if we can secure about 15 units/month from now on. The hot days are still continuing. We will proceed with our work while taking sufficient care to avoid coronas and heat stroke.

August 25, 2024      Secretariat

We set up three tarps and two tents, the main heat stroke prevention measures. Mr. Abebe, a regular participant, helped set up the venue on this day as well.

(Left) Teachers and students from Tama Technical High School, the largest group of participants today. The board member, a former teacher at the school, explained the purpose of the activity and its significance to the students who were participating for the first time, using the NGO’s materials.
(Right) Since there were a large number of students, we had them split into two teams. This is a shot of the packing team.

These are two members of the Ethiopian group. They come before the activity starts and help us set up the venue. They are a big help.

Vietnamese group working under a tent while avoiding the strong sunlight.

(Left) Watermelons that had been chilled in advance were cut and served to everyone working.
(Right) Drinks were chilled with ice in a cooler. We urged everyone to drink water as needed.

Tama Technical High School group and Vietnamese group at lunchtime.

Ethiopean group, Sagami Women’s University group, and staff members at lunchtime.



Thank you all for your hard work in the intense heat.

  On July 21, 2024, we had a monthly meeting taking care of the extremely hot weather. Our monthly meeting is held on the second Sunday of the month, but since this month’s meeting falls in the middle of the three-day weekend of Saturday 13, Sunday 14, and Monday 15, we decided to change the meeting to the third Sunday of the month, the 21st. As predicted, the weather was clear and the temperature at the meeting site was 38°C with a humidity of 44%.

  It was strictly forbidden to work in the sun, and participants were encouraged to work in tents, tarps, or in the shade of warehouses. We also made sure that they were hydrated at all times. Staff kept a watchful eye on the clock and took a 15-minute break every hour. During the breaks, cold tea, sports drinks, watermelon, and ice cream were served.

  The total number of people who gathered in such heat was 25: 8 from the Sagami Women’s University group, 6 from Tama Technical High School, 3 from the Bike & Camp group, Abebe from the Ethiopian group, 3 general volunteers, and 4 staff members. Everyone worked hard in the intense heat and we were able to complete the cleaning, maintenance, and packing of 10 wheelchairs.

  Now 26 units are ready for Mongolia. We expect to reach our goal of 90 units by November, while securing about 15 units/month from now on. We will proceed with the work while taking sufficient care to avoid Covid-19 and heat stroke.

July 24, 2024      Secretariat

(How to see the photos)Click on the photos to enlarge them.

Setting up 3 tarps and 2 tents as a top priority. Mr. Abebe, who is the first to arrive at the venue every time, did a great job with this task.

(Left) The thermometer on the table in the shade showed 38°C. (The humidity was 44%.)
(Right) Mr. Yamashita and his two friends from Bike & Camp came to join us in the intense heat. They know a lot about bicycles, so they work with a good technical understanding of children’s wheelchairs.
The photo shows Mr. Yamashita filling out his temperature and contact information while carrying his backpack. Behind him is the Sagami Women’s University members waiting for their turn to fill out the form. On the wall on the left is an Ethiopian flag held up by Mr. Abebe.

(Left) Mr. Abebe immediately got to clean wheelchairs after helping us set up the venue.
(Right) Bike & Camp members cleaning wheelchairs under the guidance of Mr. Yamashita, who has a lot of experience in wheelchair maintenance.

Sagami Women’s University group of eight students, including four trial participants, at work.

  Tama Technical High School members working on packing wheelchairs as usual.

  Thank you all for your hard work. It was good that no one got heat stroke.
Please note that next month, August, we will meet on the 3rd Sunday of the month, the 18th, instead of the 2nd Sunday for the same reason as this month.

  On June 9th, 2024, we had our monthly meeting under calm weather, just like the May meeting. We worked comfortably without the need for a tent or tarp to keep out the sun.

  The participants were Sagami Women’s University group, Vietnamese group, Ethiopean group, Yokota Air Base group, general volunteers, and staff;25 in total. The general volunteers included Ms. C and her son, from Meguro-ku, Tokyo, who commented that they had wanted to participate for a long time but had not been able to make it, and that they were glad to be able to join this time.

  We completed the cleaning, maintenance, and packing of the remaining two units for the Philippines. Now 85 wheelchairs for the Philippines are ready for container loading on June 12, and will depart from Tokyo Port for Manila on Monday, June 17.

  Today we started a new project. The recipient is Undra Bayar, who runs the “Center for Independent Living” in Mongolia, whom Chairperson Morita met with in Kobe last month.

  We finished cleaning, maintaining, and packing 16 units for Mongolia. Our aim for today was 20, so we’d like to speed up our work next month.

  Today’s lunch was pilaf and consomme soup by S brothers again. We enjoyed freshly made dishes.

  Thank you all for your work today!

June 10, 2024      Secretariat

(How to see the photos)Click on the photos to enlarge them.

Two members of the Ethiopian group were the first to arrive at the venue. After setting up, they took a photo with the Ethiopian flag.

Vietnamese group began cleaning wheelchairs immediately after their arrival.

Ms. C worked on cleaning with her son very hard. We’d like them to take it easy and come to join us whenever they can.

Sagami Women’s Univ. group worked on packing. Small wheelchairs are packed with blankets. Weights and dimensions are measured and stored in the warehouse.

(Left) Three members of the Yokota Air Base group. Darryl, the coordinator, explained the work procedures to the members.
(Right) In addition to coordinating their participation in the meeting, Darryl helped us with the recent Yokota Air Base tour and gave us a tour of the base. To express our thanks, the Sagami Women’s University group presented him with a message card, and our NGO with a samue (Japanese work shirt and pants) with the name “DA-RI-RU” on it.

Sora anda his brother worked hard making pilaf and consomme soup. Delicious!

The worktable became a lunch table ; Ms. C and her son and the Yokota Air Base group are having lunch together.
Ms. C had chairs (two pink ones) in her car and they used them. It was a great help because we don’t have many chairs at the venue. We do have a lot of wheelchairs, though.

Thank you all for your work!

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～
  Before the activity, Mr. E and his son delivered a wheelchair to us. It was used by the son on the right. We received it and told them that we were going to send it to Mongolia. It was really nice of them take the trouble to deliver it.

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

  On May 12, 2024, we had a meeting under pleasant weather in May. We have returned to monthly meetings from this month.

  The participants were Sagami Women’s University group, Vietnamese group, general volunteers, and staff: 26 in total.
  

  We continued to work for the Philippines, and finished cleaning, maintaining, and packing 20 units. We now have 83 units ready for shipment, which we plan to ship to the Philippines in late June.

  Lunch was again a delicious homemade miso soup and takikomi gohan. Thank you, Sora-san, for your continued support.

Thank you all for your hard work.

>May 19, 2024      Secretariat

(How to see the photos) Click on the photos to enlarge them.

Although the corona disaster has become low, we continue to take countermeasures.

We put up three tarps And two tents.

We built a worktable under the tent and worked on it. It seemed easier than sitting down to work.

Vietnamese members did a great job. It was comfortable to work even without shade.

(Left) Sagami Women’s Univ. group and Vietnamese group worked together in packing.
(Right) Thanks to the powerful 15 Vietnamese members, 20 units were complete.

Takikomi gohan and miso soup by Sora brothers.

(Left) Sagami Women’s Univ. group, Sora brothers, and staff members at lunchtime.
(Right) Vietnamese group enjoying lunch together.

Thank you everyone! We look forward to working with you again next month.

  On April 28, 2024, it was already sunny and clear in the morning, and we set up tents and put up tarps to avoid the heat. We worked in the shade and encouraged everyone to have plenty of water.

  The participants of the day were Sagami Women’s University group, Vietnamese group, Yokota Air Base group, Tama Technical High School group, K-san family members joining as individuals, general volunteers, and staff, for a total of 35 people.

  The U.S. Air Force Yokota Air Base group has participated in three consecutive meetings since the April 2 base members-only experience meeting. They are a strong team with high precision and certainty in their work.

  The Tama Technical High School group, a regular participant, was in charge of packing work, where they have demonstrated their strength through solid work, and they performed highly accurate work again this time under the guidance of the teachers who led them.

  As a result, we were able to clean, maintain, and pack 20 wheelchairs, the largest number recorded since the Corona disaster. This achievement is thanks to the efforts of all participants. We now have 63 units ready for shipment to the Philippines. We expect to ship to the country in July, but we are beginning to see the possibility of moving up the schedule a bit.

Thank you all for your hard work.

April 29, 2024      Secretariat

(How to see the photos)Click on the photos to enlarge them.

Putting up three tarps, and setting up two tents.

(Left) Tama Technical High School group, a dependable team of two teachers and eight students.
(Right) Two members of the Sagami Women’s University group, in charge of taking pictures and cleaning up at the same time.

A worktable as a new attempt. This way we can work more comfortably than sitting on the ground.

Mr. K, a resident of Adachi-ku, joined with his three children. They traveled 2 hours by train from their home. Under the father’s guidance, each son was working properly. How reliable and promising!

Mr. K’s child unscrewed and cleaned the footrests. They seemed satisfied riding on the wheelchair they cleaned and maintained, saying, “It’s a nice ride.” We hope that the Filipino child who will receive this wheelchair will feel the same way.

Darryl (the man wearing the hat on the left in the photo), who has participated in all three activities so far, and Franklin, the leader of the Yokota Air Base group, who is participating for the first time this time, with his son.

(Left) Tama Technical High School students disassembled and cleaned the walker.
(Right) As a result of this work, it became shiny like this.

Packing work by Tama Technical High School group.

Another new attempt:replacing packing material with used blankets. Since the plastic may become a large amount of waste, we decided to use blankets to pack the wheelchairs and have the blankets washed and reused at the site instead of throwing them away. Large wheelchairs cannot be packed with blankets, but small ones can be packed with a single blanket. We will aim to make use of this in the future.

Sora, who always provides us with delicious food, invited his brother and his friend to make takikomi gohan and pork miso soup this time. All the participants were pleased with the delicious food. I was so deep in eating that I forgot to take pictures.

Thank you everyone!