TOKYO-BANGLADESH WORK CAMP

Participants from Japan & Bangladesh

The relationship between Tokyo and Bangladesh YMCAs rooted from the outset of early Eighties. Since then these two YMCAs have been marching together to fulfill the mission of the YMCAs by various efforts for empowering the powerless people in Bangladesh. Bilateral efforts are continuing to educate the poor children, empower the women, manage shelter for the flood victims, provide medical facilities to the poor & ethnic minority groups and also for developing the leadership amongst the youth.

In order to develop leadership qualities amongst the youth, cultural exchange programs, study tours and work camps are organized regularly for the youths amongst these two countries. Each year Tokyo and Bangladesh YMCA jointly organize these programs in Bangladesh.

Participants at a cultural event

Bangladesh YMCA organized a work camp in this year in Dinajpur with the cooperation of Dinajpur YMCA. 14 youths & 3 Leaders from Japan and 8 youths from Bangladesh participated at this work camp. Participants from Japan arrived in Bangladesh on 25 February 2006. To learn about the culture & history of this country,  know the harsh reality of poor people in rural communities and also in the slums of the urban area were the objectives of this program.

Visits and discussions  with community people & NGOs, visit government and private schools, hospitals, churches and historical places, enjoy home staying, participate in cultural exchange program were the main activities of the campers. Beside these, they also installed of 25 sanitary slab latrines and repaired 6 houses. They departed for Tokyo on 19 March 2006.

Participants preparing sanitary slab latrine