5,500 SOCCER BALLS FROM PAKISTAN

NPO NIPPA WELFARE ASSOCIATION DONATES 5,500 SOCCER BALLS FROM PAKISTAN FOR JAPAN’S EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI AFFECTEES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 2^nd, 2011

Summary

Nippa Welfare Association (NWA) in collaboration with Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS) along with a team of volunteers shall be visiting Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures to distribute 5,500 (size No.5) hand woven soccer balls from Pakistan to the children affected by the March 11^th earthquake and subsequent tsunami.

Details

“As we have been helped by the Japanese people, now it’s our turn to reciprocate!”

Following the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of March 11^th, NWA recognized that the time had come for the people of Pakistan to extend a helping hand to the Japanese Nation, who have always assisted other countries in their time of need. With the assistance of Pakistan’s business community, news agencies, expatriate community, school teachers and students; NWA organized a charity bazaar Ganbare Nippon: Expressing Solidarity for Japan in Islamabad on March 27^th. Furthermore, with the assistance of Jaffer Brothers (Pvt.) Ltd. NWA collected donations from various organizations and individuals.

When NWA learned that many children became orphans and in many cases lost everything, they decided to send soccer balls from Pakistan to bring smiles on to the children’s faces. Pakistan is famous for manufacturing international standard soccer balls, and holds 70% of the global market share.

Schedule

1. Sep 5 Visit coastal areas of Miyagi prefecture and Iwate prefecture to present soccer balls.

2. Sep 6 Visit Board of Education of Iwate prefecture to present soccer balls.

Visit Sendai Nagamachi Junior High School to present soccer balls.

3. Sep 7 Visit Education Bureau of Fukushima prefecture to present soccer balls.

About the Organizations

NWA is a non-profit organization that has been conducting aid projects primarily in Gilgit and Machulu, Pakistan. NWA has created literacy and sewing schools for women empowerment, and continues to provide emergency humanitarian assistance in times of need. Following the Pakistan Earthquake of 2005 and the devastating floods of 2010, NWA held numerous medical camps, distributed relief goods, and provided temporary shelter for the victims of the earthquake and floods. For further information on NWA, please visit the following website. http://www.pat.hi-ho.ne.jp/nippagrp/pakistan.htm

JMAS JMAS is an NGO that conducts demining projects in Asia, Middle East and Africa. For further information on JMAS please visit the following website. can be found on the http//www.jmas-ngo.jp