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FEATURE VOLUNTEERS: LAOS PHOTO: KENSHIRO IMAMURA PHOTO: make the handcrafts,” explains Arai. “They live in Arai is involved in helping the women of the remote mountain villages, subsisting largely on ag- community to utilize traditional skills in creating riculture. These products are an important source handcrafts to sell to tourists. Previously, Seang and of cash income for them.” the other women had been weaving kudzu into After graduating from university, Arai worked shoulder bags, but they proved unpopular with at a financial institution, where he helped oversee tourists because of their size. To address the issue, loans to small and medium-sized businesses. Using the women have begun weaving smaller bags and experience gained in helping different Japanese en- introducing new design aspects, such as creating terprises improve their operations, Arai has been striped patterns using dyed twine. influential since coming to Oudomxay in providing Mayphone Silivong, the manager of the center’s a wide variety of plans and ideas. These have in- promotion and product development section, cluded designing displays and point of purchase shares her Japanese colleague’s ambitions for the advertising to explain about products, as well as the center. “We hope to create products that have a creation of promotional posters and leaflets. broad appeal to consumers,” explains Silivong. “Our ultimate goal is to begin exporting them.” MAKING PRODUCTS WITH A LOCAL TOUCH For the women in the village, starting new proj- ects is not always an easy task. According to Arai, it Traditional raised-floor dwellings stand side by side is hard to adequately convey ideas through words in the village of Mang, a small community inhab- alone. “The first thing I do is show an example of ited by the Khmu, one of Lao’s many ethnic groups. what I’m trying to explain,” he says. “After that, I Life moves along traditional lines in this highland leave it in the hands of the local residents at the region, located an hour and a half by car from the center.” The result has been an ongoing effort to center along winding mountain roads. create new and original products. Arai notes that the village women have very im- pressive skills. In a display of this prowess, a woman LEARNING THROUGH SPORTS deftly uses a knife to split kudzu vines and remove the inner fiber, which she quickly twists into a thin Once every three years Oudomxay Province hosts a piece of twine. These light cords, which retain their widely popular national sporting competition, fea- strength even when wet, are woven into bags. turing around 20 events, that brings together the Watching as the Khmu women apply traditional top athletes from each province. In a remote region skills passed down over generations, Arai inter- of neighboring Sainyabuli Province, two hours by Stoles made from cotton JOCV member Takahisa Arai jects: “This may look easy, but it is very difficult.” car from the ancient city of Luang Prabang, JOCV grown in Oudomxay watches as villagers in Laos Seang, the leader of one women’s group, smiles members are hard at work helping prepare for the (left). Below, Arai smiles separate kudzu fibers. as she explains how it is fun making bags with Arai, competition. at product development whom she calls Taka. As she goes about her duties, In the province’s central region, energetic cries section manager Seang emanates an aura of warmth, community, can be heard in a gymnasium where the women’s Mayphone Silivong while and heartiness that remains prevalent in this region provincial volleyball team practices passing, set- productivity and vides a strikingly different scene. Out in the Laotian even as it seems to be fading in developed countries ting, and receiving during a training camp. The marketing center Toward the Future, countryside, fields set peacefully among the ver- like Japan. sharp sound of a whistle is followed by coaching manager Ounkham dant hills and valleys and the friendly smiles of Onphachanh looks on. passersby hint at a slower, more pastoral way of life. KENSHIRO PHOTOS: Side by Side The first JOCVs, five Japanese youths, landed in Laos in 1965. In the 50 years since their arrival, suc- or 50 years, JICA’s Japan Overseas Coop- cessive volunteers have preserved the spirit of these eration Volunteers (JOCVs) have been pioneers in working closely with local residents, I providing technical support in developing serving as a bridge linking Laos and Japan. M A F MUR countries for economic and social devel- An hour north by plane from Vientiane, in the opment, reconstruction, and other objectives. The remote province of Oudomxay, is a productivity and A first country to welcome JOCVs was Laos, in 1965. marketing center run by the province’s Department Since that time, the program has continued to dis- of Industry and Commerce. The region was once patch passionate and motivated volunteers to part- notorious for its production of opium poppies. Cur- ner countries to work closely with local people in rently, programs are underway to reduce reliance building a brighter future. on poppy farming by promoting the production of handcrafts as a means for residents to earn a living. A BRIDGE SPANNING A HALF CENTURY The center plays an important role in this process, overseeing the sale and distribution of finished Laos is known as one of Asia’s most remote coun- products. tries. Visitors today to the capital of Vientiane, how- JOCV member Takahisa Arai uses his sales ever, are struck by a vastly different image: a bus- knowledge to provide the center with ideas as well tling city of high-rise buildings and traffic jams, as as other types of support. Inside the center, prod- well as corner cafes and restaurants that hark back ucts like bags, pouches, and shawls made from cot- to Laos’s history as a French colony. ton and other natural fibers are stacked neatly in A mere hour’s drive outside of the capital pro- rows. “Women’s groups from eight different villages 4 JICA’S WORLD APRIL 2015 JICA’S WORLD APRIL 2015 5 FEATURE VOLUNTEERS: LAOS PHOTO: KENSHIROIMAMURA PHOTO: ALL PHOTOS THIS PAGE: KENSHIROIMAMURA THISPAGE: ALL PHOTOS Honma and players discuss different plays after reviewing a video of a practice match. don’t first work on basics skills like receiving the ball and training their muscles to allow them to jump higher.” Using techniques from Japan as a base, Honma has introduced practice routines cov- ering everything from basic skills to practice games and has also incorporated drills and exercises aimed at building strength and stamina. Many of the players are still in high school, and much as their counterparts in Japan, they put on a different face after practice, busily fidgeting with their smartphone screens as they stroll back to their dorm rooms. Back at the dormitory, however, the players stare intently as they review a video of an earlier practice match. Team members gather “You’re in the wrong place in this formation,” during practice for a points out one player. “You need to spike the ball motivating cheer. here, where the court is open,” interjects another. The video is stopped at each notable play, with play- ers candidly sharing their thoughts. During the ses- sion, a single voice calls to the group, saying, “Let’s Pioneering JOCV Participant Masako Hoshino all buckle down and try not to make mistakes.” The players have made a tremendous amount of progress compared to when Honma first began When I went to Laos as a volunteer in I’m an optimist by nature and was convinced that the project coaching the team. In the beginning it was not un- 1965, Japan was still undergoing a period would be a success. This helped to motivate me. After six months usual for players to arrive late for practice or to of rapid economic growth. It was rare for of work I was finally able to get my Japanese class up and running. complain about being tired during drills. Now, people to travel overseas and those Laotians use their hearts, not money and materialistic values, players take the initiative, such as by preparing around me had never heard of the JOCV to weigh the worth of things. Living and working among them made drinking water and checking that balls are properly program. me feel that I wasn’t there to teach, but to learn. inflated prior to beginning practice. My father, who had emigrated to Ha- Honma’s tenure as coach will soon come to an waii, understood the broader world out- end. The team has enjoyed success under her watch, side of Japan’s borders. Growing up in this winning the national student championship. She environment, I was one of only a few women students to attend gives a satisfied smile as she reflects on her time in university, where I learned English and French. Some time later, I Laos: “The Laotians supported me at every turn; saw a JOCV ad while working as a Japanese teacher and decided to even during difficult times. The experience taught apply. JOCV member Yuiko instructions. The person directing the players is me the importance of relying on others.” Honma (in red) runs drills JOCV member Yuiko Honma. Having played vol- “To date, over 800 JOCVs have come to Laos,” Learning While Teaching with fellow coach leyball from junior high school to university, notes Saymonekham Mangnomek, vice-director at Although I went to Laos to teach Japanese, I didn’t have a classroom Thavone Khunthong. Honma chose to participate in the volunteer pro- the Planning and Investment Ministry’s Depart- when I arrived and wasn’t able to get any students to join.

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