Japan

 2007 was the year to create face-to-face relationships, and we were involved in various activities with supporters and other organizations. The first Representatives Meeting was held in October, mainly attended by representatives in Kyushu and Chugoku, and about 30 people held heart-to-heart discussions and deepened friendships with each other. In 2008, we will further strengthen cooperation with directors, representatives, members and participants of the "Temple of International Volunteers" and expand the span of our domestic activities.

Campaign to Deliver Picture Books

  The Myanmar (Burma) refugee camp and Afghanistan were added to the campaign in 2007 to the already existing activities in Cambodia and Laos, and a total of 16,641 picture books were delivered. Apart from individuals, a total of 73 schools and 98 companies participated, and we continued to receive grants from Bellmark Educational support Foundation, as well as aid in the form of transport from a shipping company. We aim to do even better in 2008, with a goal of delivering 17,000 books.

Publicity Activities

  Annual access to our website has almost tripled since it was revamped. Content and design of our newsletter "Shanti" was also revamped in October. With the Rakugo Art Association, we hosted charity shows in temples around the country and a charity live event in Tokyo. Because of the value we place in face-to-face relations, in 2008, we will focus particularly on Child Book Supporters'publicity and reaching out to religious organizations.

Child Book Supporters

  As of the end of 2007, 418 people (making 503 sets of contributions) had registered as supporters. Through the April symposium, the August Laos field study tour and the October and November exchange events for supporters, we were able to make new connections and deepen mutual understanding. SVA hopes to continue to steadily expand this web of supporters, always keeping in mind the children so far away that we are trying to help.

All supporters receive letters from children
Samnang(13years old,Cambodia)

Craft Aid

  In 2007, sales from mail order and commemorative goods increased, reaching 112% of the budget. Supporters increased in number to 1,190 people. In 2008, SVA will deepen relations with craft producers and continue to develop even better products. To communicate awareness of fair trade, we make good use of our catalogs and website and undertake thorough publicity activities.   

Support for Overseas Activities

  In 2007, national staff from three of our overseas offices came to Japan for a seminar on book publishing and to give presentations on their work. Children also came from Thailand to deliver presentations in Japan. Evaluation of the 2005-2007 Personnel Training Plan in our overseas offices also took place. In 2008, SVA will undertake fundraising activities to continue support for our projects abroad and share information with and cooperate with networks of related issues within Japan.

Research and Advocacy

  SVA carried out various surveys and seminars on cooperation in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) ,Graduate Research Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) and Ochanomizu University. SVA also served as the secretariat for Japan NGO Network for Education (JNNE), publishing a translation of the EFA Global Monitoring Report 2008 and cosponsoring the launching seminars with JICA and ACCU. JNNE also developed the Life Skills Education Program Manual with the contract from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. SVA and JNNE joined the 2008 G8 Summit Japan NGO Forum and made policy advocacy paper regarding basic education and child labor. In 2008, JNNE carried out the EFA Campaign "World's Biggest Lesson," which was participated by 25,000 school children in Japan.

Life Skills Programs Manual , published by JNNE

Recycled Books Aid

  In 2007, we revamped our publicity materials and made a new pamphlet. We received tremendous response, thanks to newspaper coverage, which resulted in many people taking part in this program across the country. We also began the "Smile Eco Program" in cooperation with NETOFF Inc. In 2008, SVA will strive to produce publicity materials that are easy to understand, so that our activities can become even more familiar to others.