[Original from the JVC’s News Letter “Trial & Error” vol. 330 (Spring issue, 2018); Translated by N. Mizutani]
We work together with a number of local staff in our overseas offices. Here we introduce them with their memories of the biggest events they had in 2017. The following on-site staff are as of March 2018.
Afghanistan
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Ajmal Khuram (Education coordinator)
I visited India with my mother. This was her first time to travel by air. We enjoyed living spending time with Indian people who have totally different culture and religions.
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Abdul Wahab (Program coordinator)
We hope this year will be a peaceful year for Afghanistan and that armed groups will join the peace negotiation, stop war in Afghanistan, and work together with the government for the development of Afghanistan.
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Sabirullah Memlawal (Deputy country director)
I convinced my relatives to send their sons to Jalalabad to study. Also I am happy that our peace activities are going well.
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Fatima Khadim (Community education)
We started peace awareness programs in our community and women appreciated them and my effort.
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Turab Khan (Peace action)
In 2017 Gubadin Hekmatyar joined the Afghan government. I hope peace negotiation progresses further.
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Delawar (Chief guard)
I do not have good memory in 2017, because I lost close friends and relatives in serious fights in Afghanistan. I hope 2018 will be a good year.
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Zamanullah (Guard)
I am so happy that my children started to go to school last year. I hope we have peace in our country.
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Ezatullah (Guard)
Last year my son came back from the USA and we spent some time together with our family.
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Abdul Raziq (Guard)
I want to go to Makkah for pilgrimage.
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Shah Mohammad (Driver)
Last year I had pain in my back and doctors told me to have operation but I recovered without operation thanks to mighty Allah.
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Agha Gul Pacha (Driver)
My brother died which made me really sad. Now his children are orphans. I want to help them for their education.
Cambodia
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Mariko Omura (Country director)
My former boss and a colleague of my previous workplace got married and I made a speech at their wedding. It was a touching moment, remembering all the good times and hard times we spent together.
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Chan Pok (Field staff)
My lovely daughter is growing up, day by day.
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Chhan Chanlaksmey (Accountant)
Shared my dream with my family to travel to somewhere in Asia in 2018.
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Mien Somach (Field staff)
Having a great time with farmers in the village. Rebuilding our house. Watching the growth of our two children.
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Pum Bunroeun (Driver)
Preparing for building our house.
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Heng Chheng Ngov (General affairs)
Having a new Japanese staff member, the working environment has improved. Celebrated the 7th wedding anniversary with my wife.
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Pao Rith (Driver)
Besides working as a driver, I really enjoy helping growing vegetables, compost, and herbs at the JVC forest garden.
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Pork Kong (Project manager)
Being able to have dinner with my family every weekend and to water the flowers and trees in my garden by myself.
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Chin Bunheang (Field staff)
Receiving good reputation from people who visited the JVC forest garden. My son’s graduation from university.
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Pheart Phy (Field staff)
My mother’s health condition is getting better.
Laos
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Kenichiro Iwata (Country director)
Finished working away from home and was finally able to live with my wife. But now we are going to move to Laos!
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Ryouhei Yamamuro (Project coordinator)
I travelled to Luang Prabang. Enjoyed the beautiful nature and streets of ancient cities.
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Houmphan Sengchanthong (Project coordinator)
Went to the sea with my wife and staff.
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Phimmasone Xaysiheng (Accountant)
Becoming a member of JVC.
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Sisavanh Inthakhonh (Field officer)
I had Baci, a ritual to strengthen our spiritual bonds, with my mother and my father-in-law.
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Somsone Dodsaney (Field officer)
We went to my wife’s home village. We enjoyed walking in the mountains, watching birds and eating fruits.
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Souksavath Sikhounmeuang (Field officer)
Enjoyed drinking and singing with villagers personally.
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Sivone Xayyaphet (General affairs)
Went to see my parents with my family, and had a wonderful dinner with all my sisters.
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Hompasong Thammavong (Driver)
Learned how to use a computer by myself.
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Ovantin Thepphavong (Field officer)
Our family had a new member, my baby daughter!
Palestine
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Yoriko Yamamura (Country director)
Travelled Russia for the first time. Experienced non-American culture and also met refugees from Palestine.
South Africa
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Duduzile Nkabinde (Project coordinator)
Training at the Asian Rural Institute in Japan. I met people with diverse backgrounds from all over the world. We studied together for ten months.
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Moses Shavhani (Accountant)
I finished preparation for reforming my own house. I have more confidence in myself.
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Philip Maluleke (Project field assistant)
Participated in a public court. I learned about the movements to protect human rights against land and resources grabbing.
South Sudan
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Nakang Christine (Project officer)
Went back to home in Uganda and met my three-year-old son after a long time. It was great to spend Christmas at home.
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Essam Ando (Project officer)
My oldest daughter started going to a kindergarten in a refugee camp. I have to tell her not to go to the market alone, because she might be kidnapped. It’s tough.
Sudan
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Mona Hassan (Acting country director)
Founded a charity foundation to assist large families who live in and outside Sudan.
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Sarah Mogo (Field officer)
My brother’s marriage.
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Ahmad Alhadi (Field assistant)
My mother, who had evacuated to El Obeid came to Kadugli. I am relieved that the area has become safer.
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Ismeil Gomaa (Team leader)
It was a special year both in business and private life. I made a new family and my dream came true.
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Sqeeda Alfaki (Field assistant)
Received an award at the state art exhibition.
Thailand
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Kaoruko Morimoto (Project coordinator)
Succeeded in a two-week detox. No carbohydrate, fish, meat, sugar, caffeine, and no alcohol!