・THE ASIA CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FUND

May 2023 Issue 14

ACEF
News letterTOPICS＜Foreword＞ Medium-term Plan Working Group（TetsuroOda）

Introducing the ACEF community: Masato Ooki, Sayaka Ema
ACEF General Assembly meeting was held on May 21
Information on payment system change and request toresubscribe to GOEN!
Invitation to BDP Speech Competition!
Message from ICU and AGU Service Learning students
Invitation to ICU Service Learning events
Call for donation: Youth Education at ACEF
BDP Newsletter (April 2023)
ACEF participated in the TWU Festival Bazaar
ACEF YOUTH: fourth meeting※The PDF version of this newsletter is available on our hp.
URL https://acef.or.jp/mail_mag_2023may/※English version available on the homepage!

▶︎↑ Scene from the general assembly
meeting held on May 21, 2023.

Thank you for your continuous support for theACEF mail news! We are happy to update you
about our activities in Japan and Bangladesh.
Today, we hope to share with you 11 articles on
our recent activities/projects and upcoming
events, along with updates on what is currently
happening in Bangladesh.

Foreword: Medium-term Plan
Working Group
Tetsuro Oda

Foreword“Immediately after I was inaugurated as the director of ACEF, I was given two tasks tocomplete. Firstly, to strengthen the organisation, and secondly to reconsider the structure ofACEF in respect to its 30th founding anniversary. To work on these two tasks
simultaneously, in January 2020, we organised a workshop with people who have previously
crossed paths with ACEF to collect their voices and ideas. As a result, we were able to create
ACEF’s new vision and mission, which was officially announced in June 2021.
The first task of commemorating the 30th anniversary of ACEF was completed throughthis new vision and mission. However, I was unable to build the medium-term plan for
ACEF to further strengthen the organisation. There are various reasons for this, but mostimportantly, because our sole partner is BDP in Bangladesh- therefore, their future action
plan becomes our future action plan as well. Through the discussions with BDP, we
recognised how our relationship should be an “equal partnership” and not a “giver andreceiver” relationship. We agreed to envision the future self-reliance of BDP by formulating
the medium-term plan.
Now at the beginning of the new fiscal year, I hope ACEF crystalises the new vision andmission, which will build a society where every person’s dignity is respected, and to create aplace where children and youth are able to learn together.” (Tetsuro Oda, board of Trustees)1

・May 2023 Issue 14

THE ASIA CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FUND

Ooki & Sayaka Ema
ACEF Community Masato
from the Board of Trustees

Through ACEF’s Study Tour“It was a long time ago when I visited Bangladesh via ACEF’s study tour, along with students
from the Yamanashi Eiwa Middle/High School. I still remember how that experience moved
and surprised me so vividly. I felt the rushing power of the words from the Bible. After therich and blessed two weeks, I thought it was now my duty to contribute wherever I am sent. I
have only contributed in simple ways, such as introducing ACEF and the handicrafts fromBangladesh to churches or Yamanashi Eiwa Gakuin. The reason why I share about thehandicrafts is because I want more people to experience Bangladesh through these “objects”. Ihope more people will taste a little bit of Bangladesh through ACEF’s Bengal Tea sets.
Moreover, I hope that when we see the letter “B” of Bangladesh, that we remember the peoplein our prayers. Through these passions, I have continued to work with ACEF. I believe thatprayer and action come hand in hand. Let us continue to remember ACEF, and pray for theexpansion and deepening of the ACEF movement.” (Masato Ooki, board of Trustees)

On ACEF’s Mission“When I think of my experience at the ACEF study tour, I remember the special time wherepeople from various backgrounds came together in thought, conversations, laughter andtears. These two weeks were a rich experience. The reason why we were all able to share ourthoughts and feelings were because of the generous welcoming of the BDP staff and thepeople we met in Bangladesh. Experiences such as the study tour remain important and rare,
especially in this age where generosity is often overlooked. It has continuously influenced me
in my personal life, too. When we do something “together”, it is crucial to respect the“dignity” of one another. Without it, we cannot work or live “together”. I believe that ACEF’s
mission reflects a goal relatable to everybody. I hope to remember ACEF’s mission in my own
life, and hope that through ACEF’s activities, more people will learn to experience joy.”(Sayaka Ema, board of Trustees)

ACEF General Assembly was heldon May 21!
The 2023 ACEF member meeting was held on
Saturday, May 21, 2023. At the Members Meeting(Kaiin no tsudoi), we welcomed a very special
guest, Ms. Mitu Rani Das, a graduate from BDP
school. She shared about her experience at BDP
school and the trajectory of her following
education and career. We shared a sweet time offellowship and were blessed abundantly from thisevent.

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・THE ASIA CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FUND

May 2023 Issue 14

Information on payment system change and request
to resubscribe to GOEN!
Along with the change in our membership management system, we are changing themembership payment system from “Syncable” to “GOEN”. The new payment
system “GOEN” is directly linked to the membership system. Thus this change willallow us to reach out to our supporters even more efficiently and without anyfallouts.
For the current members who are subscribed to Syncable, we ask you to resubscribe to GOEN. Please refer to the website for detailed instructions
https://acef.or.jp/news/re-entry-and-cancel/
Please also unsubscribe from Syncable from here
https://help.syncable.biz/hc/ja/articles/115003542393
We deeply apologise for the inconvenience. Please let the ACEF office know if you
have any questions. Thank you for your understanding and your support!

↓↓BDP Speech Competition

Invitations

BDP is hosting a Speech Competition for its students on June 13, 2023.
Let’s join this event together online and cheer for the precious students ofBDP school!
Date: Tuesday, June 13, 2023. 18:00Place: Bangladesh venue (BBCS/YMCA Hall room), YouTube
Organized by: BDP, partnered by Kazuko Bhuiyan Trust ACEF
Sign up to receive the YouTube URL:
https://forms.gle/3XC5PzcxmJW8cpQC9＆ICU ServiceL

earning E
Here is information about the events
vents
planned in the service learning programof ICU, 2023. Please cheer us on as we prepare and hostthese events! If you wish to participate, please let us know
via email or phone call.
public@acef.or.jp / 03-3208-1925
Tuesday, May 30, 12:50 13:50 Bangladesh Handicraft EventICU Seabury Chapel, please bring your own lunch.
There will be Bengal Tea prepared.
Tuesday, June 6, 17:00 18:00 Dignity CafeICU Momi 1F, Wisteria Hall, please bring your own cup for the Bengal
Tea. Please check our Instagram for further information!
https://www.instagram.com/acef.ngo/①②→＠＠▶︎〜〜3

・May 2023 Issue 14

THE ASIA CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FUND

Messages from ICU and AGU Service Learning students“I am Minagi Tsuhi, 2nd year at ICU. I am interested in thedevelopment of education in developing countries, so I chose
to work with ACEF. Currently, I am preparing to host an eventthe Dignity Cafe-. Through these activities,first year. In thisI hope to share the topic of “dignity”“Hello, I am Eri Ito from ICU, currently in myevent where weto more people.” (Minagi Tsushi)
service learning program, we are planning ana lot for me tocan learn about Bangladesh together. There isI will do mylearn and sometimes I feel quite challenged, but
best and learn as much as I can!” (Eri Ito)year 1. I am
“My name is Yuto Onagi from ICU,
so I hope tointerested in international relations,cooperation
learn more about how internationalg programshould be, through this service learnin
askat ACEF. More specifically, I hope tothe topic
questions and be critical as I approachgi)of supporting Bangladesh.” (Yuto Ona“My name is Rei Negishi from ICU, year 2. We
are planning a Dignity Cafe at ICUas a part ofour service learning program. I hope to meetmany people, to exchange ideas, andabsorb
various knowledge through this experience.”(Rei Negishi)

ted
2 at ICU. I was originally interes“Hi, I am Nagisa Ishimoto, year
thecation, so I’ve chosen ACEF as
in development studies and edu
sation. Here, we are planning aservice learning program organi
share to more people about
Dignity Cafe. I will do my best toa Ishimoto)
ACEF and its activities!” (Nodok“I am in my 2nd year at the School of International
Politics, Economics, and Communication at Aoyama
Gakuin University. In this service learning program, I willlearn about Bangladesh through the interactions with thepeople at ACEF, then do a lecture at the Aogaku
Elementary school. I hope to become a bridge between
Bangladesh and Japan! (Mikina Takeda)
University“I’m Fuka Sato from Aoyama Gakuin
nomics, andSchool of International Politics, Ecows andCommunication.We are doing intervie
lecture at themeetings in preparation for doing afirst time to“Hi, I am Ayana Murata, year 2 fromAogaku Elementary school. It is mygain newAoyama Gakuin Department of Law.
collaborate with NGOs, so I hope togs I would
We are gathering resources for our lecture
experiences and learn more about thin)about Bangladesh, planned to be conducted
otherwise not be able to!” (Fuka Satoat Aogaku Elementary school. My wish isthat students will be able to have more interest in the outside world through this lecture. Also, I
myself, hope to gain a deeper understanding of Bangladesh.” (Ayana Murata)

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・THE ASIA CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FUND

May 2023 Issue 14

Call for donation: Youth Education at ACEF

One of ACEF’s goals this year is to focus on supporting Youth Education/activities.
We have supported the connection building between the children in Bangladesh andyouths in Japan through our study tours and various activities. Now as we face therapid globalisation of the world, we have become more aware of the need for thepeople in Bangladesh and Japan to “live together”. We will continue to support theeducation of the youths in Bangladesh and Japan, and we ask for your support anddonations to make it happen.

▶︎ https://acef.or.jp/news/supportyouth/

Click here for more information

Announcement: BDP magazine (April 2023 issued)
BDP began the issue of their magazine to share more about their activities with theworld. The next issue is planned to be in April. This month’s magazine is available inJapanese as well! We hope to share about the situation at BDP, and am hoping for
you to feel more connected with the staff and students at BDP.
Please check the HP for the PDF file.
PDF is available on our HP: https://acef.or.jp/mail-magazine/▶︎ACEF participated in the Tokyo Women’sUniversity Festival Bazaar
On Saturday, April 29th, ACEF participated in the Tokyo Women’s University
Festival Bazaar (Enyuukai, hosted by alumni) and contributed through ourBangladesh handicrafts shop. The Handicraft working group member and ACEF
Youth volunteers worked together, and it was a great success!

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・THE ASIA CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FUND

May 2023 Issue 14

ACEF Youth→：

ACEF YOUTH fourth meeting

What is ACEF Youth?
ACEF youth is a group of youth -students and workersfrom various backgrounds, who contribute to the ACEF movement through theirtalents, passions, and field of interests. For example education, development,
resolving poverty, etc.At ACEF Youth, everyone's passion and skills are used, whether
it is updating social media, working with handicrafts from Bangladesh, etc... If you areinterested in participating at ACEF, please feel free to contact us at the email below!
email: public@acef.or.jp▶︎【Mini Bangla lesson and workshop】

Time: June 3, Sat. 16:00-17:00
Place: ZOOM online
Sign up: https://forms.gle/BjyN78FMmvygn9Bg7
Preparation: Please do a simple research on one of thefive topics (more detail in the sign up form).
Fees: free
Organiser: ACEF YouthBangla lecturer: Yuko Fukushima, ACEF cooperator

Please choose
one topic and research
about it! We will have
Traditional a short group work.

① Clothing②③Foodculture
Traditional
handicrafts④PopularHistory⑤Siteseeing

find us onsocialmedia!

follow us→ https://linktr.ee/acef.ngo（Specified NPO）The Asia Christian Education Fund (ACEF)〒169-0051 Room 26, Nihon Kirisutokyou Kaikan, 2-3-18 Nishi Waseda, Shinjuku ku, Tokyo
tel 03-3208-1925 fax 03-6278-9180
Contact：Dedachi // Unsubscribe? Please contact: public@acef.or.jp

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