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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

Introduction to Grant Projects

Bridge Asia Japan

Expanding practical environmental educational activities in Vietnam and pursuing business to establish networks with stakeholders

Activity grant

Project Description

There is still a lack of education about the environment at schools in Vietnam. Since 2002, Bridge Asia Japan has been conducting a number of activities in Hue, Vietnam, successfully raising environmental awareness among the city's people. These activities include maintenance of drainage channels, support for those living in poverty, educational support, separation of refuse, and organizing environmentally-friendly agricultural experiences. However, the necessity of raising environmental awareness has not yet become widespread among people in other regions of the country, and, as the Vietnam develops economically, many fear soil pollution from the use chemical fertilizers, and adverse effects on people's health and ecosystems. With this in mind, Bridge Asia Japan works with schools and women's alliances in Ho Chi Minh City and other regions outside of Hue to create easy-to-understand texts to promote environmental awareness, and holds workshops modelled on its activities in Hue.

Grant year
FY2008 Activity Grants
Grant term
3 years
October 2008 - September 2011
Grant amount
19,885,000 yen
Activity region
Hue City and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Refuse collection around the river in areas where people live on water

Overview of the Organization

Etsuko Nemoto, President
Representative
Etsuko Nemoto, President
Establishment
1993
Establishment Purpose
The word "Bridge" in our organization's name, "Bridge Asia Japan," represents the idea of a bridge of mutual understanding between countries and people - a "bridge between hearts." Our aim is to build collaborative relationships that deepen understanding between the people of Asia, broaden perspectives, and encourage greater awareness. Transcending any political, religious, or cultural differences, Bridge Asia Japan works and exchanges knowledge with many across Asia to address the problems relating to self-reliance and education, health and hygiene, and women's issues, to aid the disadvantaged.
Main areas of activity
Myanmar, Vietnam
Staff
13 full-time staff members, 256 full members
Annual operating budget
249.32 million yen in 2005, 212.23 million yen in 2006, 175,23 million yen in 2007
WEB site
http://www.baj-npo.org/
Main activities
With the participation of local people, we promote voluntary refuse collection activities to improve the local environment, and town infrastructure projects, for example the construction of schools, bridges, and wells, which serve as the foundations of regional revitalization. To encourage young people in their education and search for employment, our organization provides opportunities for people to acquire skills in areas such as sewing and machinery maintenance, electrics, welding, carpentry. We also offer educational support and hold supplementary classes to provide basic education for children living poverty, and conduct regional educational activities for children on the subject of the environment. In addition, the organization provides microfinance services to support the transfer or skills to employment, and boost incomes.