Chapter 14: African JAG Photography Exhibition

African JAG Photo Exhibition Held

Happy New Year.

In 2008, we will continue to do our best to help people learn more about Africa through 'Wind of Africa.' We look forward to your continued support!!
To begin 2008, we start with the photo exhibition held from December 1st to December 3rd of last year at Unice Cafe in Daikanyama, Tokyo.
The venue was decorated with African art, statues, and fabrics, in addition to photographs of African children, to create an atmosphere of Africa. To maintain the relaxed ambiance of the cafe, we placed JAG's booklets and postcard-sized photo collections on the tables. Given the location's demographic, which tends to be younger, we aimed not to be overly forceful but rather to 'evoke a feeling' in visitors.
The idea was for visitors to pick up a photo collection from the table while waiting for their order, or during a coffee break, and to read the messages from the children alongside their photographs. We hoped this exhibition would serve as a catalyst for something to begin, for something to change. It was an exhibition filled with such aspirations.
Therefore, this installment of 'Wind of Africa' will feature a selection of the photo collections that were placed on tables at the exhibition.

Messages from African Children... Lives That Can Be Saved for Just 50 Yen

In this country, many people live on less than one dollar a day.
There are also many people living with HIV/AIDS.
Everyone helps each other to survive.
Please learn a little about us.

Our parents died of AIDS.
There are many AIDS orphans in this country.
Many children are born HIV positive.

My parents also died of AIDS.
I am happiest when I am singing.
When we all sing together, we forget about the bad things.

We are orphans too, but we are very energetic.
Usually, teachers and volunteers take care of us.
We are happy today because we have visitors from Japan!!

Today, we received clothes from people in Japan.
New clothes... I wore them for the first time in my life.
I had never worn such beautiful clothes before.

Boys have to be strong.
Our parents are no longer in this world...
So I have to protect my younger brothers and sisters.

Everyone loves soccer.
But soccer balls are expensive, so we can't buy them.
We make balls out of condoms and play with them.
The condom balls bounce well.

My village is very poor, but we have this beautiful lake.
We play in the lake every day. However, because of schistosomiasis,
we sometimes have to take medicine.

There is no hospital or telephone in our village.
Every year, during the rainy season, many people die from malaria and cholera.
But we will not give up.
We have to survive.

My parents were former child soldiers.
They were abducted by guerrillas at age 10 and held a gun on the battlefield for 11 years.
...Our lives are not easy now.
But we have many friends, and we are truly happy to be able to live in peace.

I want to go to school...
But I have to take care of the baby,
so I cannot go to school.

Nobody knows how much time I have left.
Please don't forget about me.

And so, we have brought you a small glimpse of the 'African JAG Photo Exhibition' held from December 1st to 3rd.
The core principle of JAG Project events is to communicate with as many people as possible without incurring significant costs.
After all, if we spend a lot of money, we won't be able to provide support... Therefore, next year, we plan to use the materials created for this photo exhibition to hold exhibitions and collaborations with artists in many different locations.
If you are interested in 'providing a venue!!', please do not hesitate to contact African JAG.
E-mail= african-jag@jag81.com / Tel= 03-3381-4072

The recording for 'African JAG vol.2' is also about to begin... 2008 might be a bit wild for African JAG.
Participating in African JAG has taught me many things. While it is indeed painful to confront harsh realities, the moment I witness the uninhibited smiles of African children, I feel I gain a hundred times more courage and energy, which always helps me keep going.
Furthermore, over the past year and a half, a truly large number of people have come to support this project and participate in ways they can.
There have been new encounters and reunions. And next year, I have a feeling that this circle will continue to grow even larger.

Thank you so much for 2007!!
Let's all work together in 2008 to connect streets around the world even more!!
Peace...

African JAG Project / Noriko Asano