For several years, photographer Takeshi Uchibori has been visiting Afghanistan and showing photographs from there to school children in Japan to stimulate interest in international cooperation.

His enthusiasm for education and his experience in Afghanistan prompted JOICFP to ask him to return to Afghanistan to document the distribution of reconditioned school backpacks and stationery for school children in JOICFP-supported project sites.

From 19th September to 2nd October, Uchibori, with assistance from JOICFP's counterpart UMCA, observed project site activities.

Distribution of the smart, durable leather backpacks has stimulated children's desire to go to school, even though in many cases there are no school facilities whatsoever, and not enough teachers. Many schools had even requested that JOICFP provide teachers in addition to the backpacks.

Often 'schools' are no more than a designated area in the open. The children sit on the ground and are able to use the sturdy backpacks as a desk for their lessons. They also received notebooks and pencils through JOICFP, and the backpacks have become a symbol proving their status as students.

Children are delighted to receive the backpacks, and they have proved so popular that many other community people tried to get one and distribution had to be very closely monitored. Uchibori was amazed at the desire to get a backpack and said that he could understand the urge to get food if it was given out, but backpacks?

A young Afghani girl smiles shyly with delight
after receiving a backpack

In 2004, 5,200 randoseru as they are known in Japanese, were distributed. So far in 2005, 8,733 have been given out, but Uchibori says this is nowhere near enough and is like "… water on dry ground."

Community and religious leaders have come to further realize the importance of education as a result of the randoseru distribution, and the need for schools and facilities is becoming a community issue as a result.

As well as the backpacks, shoes were distributed to children to help prevent soil-transmitted parasitic infections, which can reduce a child's ability to learn or even go to school.

Photographs showing the popularity and benefits of the backpacks will be shown at an exhibition in a busy public viewing area in the Tokyo Metropolitan Office in January 2006. In addition, JOICFP will host a photo gallery on its website from December 2005.

Feedback such as these photo exhibitions is an important part of fundraising activities as it motivates donors and shows them that their contributions are being well spent.