The Asia Christian Education Fund- 2022 October↑ Sunset in Bangladesh (2022 March)

Founding Anniversary Special

ACEF Newsletter
October 2022
Thank you for your continuous support for the ACEF mail news. We are happy to update you about
our activities in Japan and Bangladesh. Today, we hope to share with you 6 articles on our recent
activities/projects and upcoming events, along with updates on what is currently happening inBangladesh.

✨What’s New!✨①Foreword: An Endless Partnership (Mikiko Nishimura)②Invitation to the Dignity Workshop (November 3, 2022)③ACEF joined Global Festa Japan 2022!
④Bangladeshi handicrafts: scenes from bazaar events⑤Message from Autumn Service Learning Program participants⑥The ACEF leaflet has been renewed!
※The PDF version of this newsletter can be downloaded from our homepage.
▶︎URL https://acef.or.jp/mail_mag_2022october/※English version available on homepage!

Foreword: An Endless Partnership (Mikiko Nishimura)“There are multiple meanings for the word “partnership”, but perhaps one of the most common
meanings for it is to have ownership in a certain work, while sharing a common goal and having
mutual trust. While this word appears to have a positive connotation, it also means to share thedifficulties and responsibilities.
The feeling of wanting to help the children in poverty, wanting to provide educational opportunities

The Asia Christian Education Fund- 2022 October

to all children may at first seem like a pure, genuine motivation, but could also be motivated by otherfactors. For example, helping others because one can afford it, or helping others who seem weaker inorder to boost one’s self esteem. These are the kind of relationships where commitments changewhen the conditions change. Oftentimes, when delved deep into the heart of charity or volunteer
activities, there is no partnership to be found.
When the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, the teachers of BDP schools collected donations
from their small salaries. There was a heart of love which “shares the difficulties together”- not “givingbecause it’s affordable”. In other words, there was partnership which supports one another under acommon goal, rather than giving out from what one already has. This, I believe, is an endlesspartnership.” (Mikiko Nishimura)

Invitation to the Dignity Workshop (November 3, 2022)【Dignity Workshop (Part 2) Lecturer: Jeffrey Mensendiek】
We will be delving a little deeper into the study of dignity. The first workshop was centered around
getting to know about dignity. This workshop will be for practical skills. We will think together about
the question of “What would you do to protect dignity?”. We welcome newcomers, as well as those
who have already participated in our dignity workshops. (It will help to read “Leading with Dignity”
chapters 1 and 2 before the workshop). We are looking forward to meeting you all!
▶︎Date/time November 3, 2022 (Thursday) 13:00〜16:00▶︎Place Oberlin University Shinjuku campus（South building JS302）or ZOOM※We will send out a ZOOM link by the day before▶︎Sign Up form https://forms.gle/72NvDX6NnBpBBCmG7▶︎Flyer PDF https://acef.or.jp/campaign/acef_dignityworkshop2/▶︎Please bring your writing utensils▶Free of charge

Bangladeshi handicrafts: scenes from bazaar events
The autumn season is finally here, and we are happy to see many people enjoy the handicrafts fromBangladesh at their autumn bazaar events! Thank you to all who participated/hosted in the bazaar
events, for sharing the goods that ACEF brings from Bangladesh. Some of the most popular goods
are the original Bengal Tea Set, Elephant mascots created with the help of BDP students, the animal
brooms which are popular among children, and knit handbags.
▶︎About Bangladeshi Handicrafts https://acef.or.jp/kokunai/bangladesh-craft-sales/▼Autumn Bazaar at Toyo Eiwa Kindergarten (hosted by the Mothers’ club)The Asia Christian Education Fund- 2022 October▼Bazaar at Rural Mission Seminary, Tokyo

Message from Autumn Service Learning Program
participants
International Christian University 1st year
Michiru Sasaoka“Through the online meetings, I felt that the world was a very vast place. I learned that there are many
people who need support, education, and opportunities, and are suffering in their own ways. There arealso many diverse cultures around the world, and there are specific characteristics in each region. By
learning about each other together, we can respect everyone’s dignity, and actively discover newthings. But I also felt that it’s a small world after all. Even if we are unable to understand one another’slanguages or know how we should help or interact with them, through repeated interaction we are able
to influence each other. By communication we can know a part of their world, thus our world expands
through knowledge.
Through the meetings, I felt that where I should be headed gradually became apparent, and I
recognized once again the importance of communication. In living the diverse and uncertain era that weare facing; people must continue to communicate. By influencing one another, I thought that someday I
would influence the world in some way. When that time comes, I hope that my influence makes theworld a more peaceful place.” (Michiru Sasaoka)
International Christian University 1st year
Rina Muguruma“Through my university class, I was able to connect with ACEF. I
have learned about the people, culture, and educational systems

The Asia Christian Education Fund- 2022 Octoberof Bangladesh. The ACEF office has created a space where we could voice our ideas and respect eachother. We were able to have online interviews with the BDP Director: Mr. Ambrose, a local ACEF
collaborator and physical therapist: Ms. Yamauchi (ACEF council member) and a consultant withexpertise in education: Ms. Fukushima (former JICA volunteer). While it was a short period of time,
ACEF’s various programmes and efforts to support children has enabled me to broaden my insights. Iwas also impressed by the actions in promoting a gender equal environment, both in BDP schools andin their own offices. I appreciate ACEF very much for giving us this opportunity.” (Rina Muguruma)

ACEF joined Global Festa Japan 2022!
We are very thankful to have received many questions and comments! Thank you all for joining ACEF'spresentation on October 1, at the Global Festa 2022. Two participants from ACEF's Study Tour
(International Christian University, Aoyama Gakuin University) shared about the country Bangladesh,
about the non-formal schools operated by BDP, and about the topic of Women Empowerment that they
have learned through the Study Tour. Please check out our website if you want to know more, or areinterested in our Study Tour!
▶︎About ACEF Study Tour https://acef.or.jp/kokunai/study-tour/↓Online presentation at Global Festa↓Interviewing BDP school graduates↓Interviewing Micro Finance recipients

New ACEF leaflets are available!
The ACEF leaflets have been renewed! You can read about what kind of organizations ACEF is, ourvision and mission, and even details about the BDP schools and the most updated number of students.
We have many copies available, so please contact the ACEF headquarters for more information.
▶︎Email：public@acef.or.jp▶︎TEL：03-3208-1925▶︎Please tell us your name, address, language of leaflet (Eng./Jap.) and how many.

Introducing our SNS platforms
We want to let you know of our newest activities, so we have various SNS pages!
【Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LINE】
We cover a wide range of contents, starting with emergency announcements, prayer requests, dailyscenes from Bangladesh and ACEF’s projects in Japan. Follow us from our home
page!→https://acef.or.jp/

The Asia Christian Education Fund- 2022 OctoberThank you for your continuous support. We look forward to keeping connected with you!
*************************************************（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
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