ASHINAGA Uganda at the CHOGM 2007

The 4th Japan Cultural Festival held at the Rainbow House

¡¡The Commonwealth Heads of Goernment Meeting was held in Kampala, Uganda from Friday, November 23 to Sunday, November 25, 2007, in which Queen Elizabeth II has also attended. CHOGM is held every 2 years and brings together Foreign Ministers from 53 affiliated countries to discuss various issues.

¡¡ASHINAGA Uganda was selected for the Commonwealth Youth Forum in which over 100 young representatives participated. ASHINAGA Uganda displayed its activities at the forum and had a discussion with participants from 53 nations. The staff members spoke about the problems AIDS orphans face, and they also presented its new program, "ASHINAGA Terakoya Education," that provides basic education (reading, writing and calculation) to AIDS orphans. Many of the participants from Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania showed interests in the activities of the Rainbow House and showed an understanding of the importance of education for AIDS orphans.

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¡¡The 4th Japan, Uganda and Germany Cultual Festival took place on December 1st, 2007, the day of the World AIDS Day, at the ASHINAGA Uganda Rainbow House. This festival started in 2004 with the first group of ASHINAGA orphaned students in Uganda, and it's organized by Japanese, Ugandan and German volunteers and AIDS orphans.

¡¡This year, in addition to the cultural exchange activities, all the 450 participants wore a red ribbon to honor the memory of those who died of AIDS. The guest of honor, Minister Baba (the Ministers of State from the Vice President Office), said "I hope that that Wakiso district and other areas back up the ASHINAGA activities to support AIDS orphans, and I have a great expectation for the 'Terakoya' education."

¡¡The children's favorite program of the day was a play performed by AIDS orphans. The theme of the play was AIDS. AIDS orphans of the festival committee planned for the fesitval with the volunteer staff and practiced the play for many times. The audience gave a big round of applause when the play was over.

¡¡At the closing ceremony, the red ribbons were sewn on the banner that says "Smile with ASHINAGA," which was the theme of this year's festival. The big smile on AIDS orphans told of the success of the Japan Cultural Festival.