Project News

This is about an activity from a little while back, but we had received an invitation from the Director for Promoting Environmental Culture of ANAM (National Environmental Authority) to participate in an event commemorating the World Environment Day on June 5, 2007.  The Directorate for Promoting Environmental Culture is the institution with which our Project collaborates when we do environmental education activities.  Also, we thought this would be a good opportunity for doing PR activities for our Project so we decided to accept the invitation.

The event was held in a large hall on the outskirts of Panama City; our booth was in a corner of the hall.  Photo 1 shows our entire setup before the event started.  At the front is a poster introducing our Project and in the back, against the wall, are posters depicting the importance of the environment.  We used "origami" (folded paper figures) in the posters to make them more attractive.  Our idea was that after visitors listened to the explanation of our exhibit, we would show them how to make "origami".  In the photo, the person sitting at the table making preparations is Mr. Kajifusa (expert in participatory development / extension).

Photo 2 shows the students listening to our explanation of the posters.  Maybe it was the origami class we offered after our talk that attracted people, but our booth was a big hit!

In photo 3, Mr. Mori (environmental education expert / coordinator) explains how to fold a "kabuto" (Japanese warrior's helmet) to students in fluent Spanish.  The children were very attentive, and seemed to have a good time.  We used Japanese newspaper, donated by JICA Panama office, to make the "kabuto".  At the table (photo 4), Mr. Kajifusa shows how to fold a "tsuru" (Japanese crane).

The following day, we received a letter of appreciation from Ms. Lourdes Lozano, the Director for Promoting Environmental Culture (photo 5).

(Photo 1: left) A view of the entire exhibit before the event started.
(Photo 2: right) Children congregating around our exhibit.

(Photo 3: left; Photo 4: right) Scenes from the "origami" class.

(Photo 5) Framed letter of appreciation from the Director.

(Mr. Isao SAKAI, Chief Advisor / Rural Development)