Thanh region in the heart of Japanese girl

Altthough this is the first time she has come to Vietnam, she has heard about stories and seen images about the S-shaped country since her childhood. She had learnt Vietnamese by herself and wished to go to Vietnam. So she has worked for JICA in Vietnam. Norie came to Thanh Hoa in late 2004. In the first months, she worked in the day time and learnt Vietnamese at night. She borrowed books to learn about the history, culture and people of Thanh region. Thanks to her Vietnamese proficiency, she has accustomed to the working environment of Hoang Hoa district's Red Cross chapter.

The Japanese girl has been seen as a member of the chapter. Everyday, she and other activists of the chapter map out plan of activities for the entire week, month. Pham Manh Hung, president of the district's Red Cross chapter said: "With experiences and knowledge o­n community healthcare development, Norie's lessons are very persuarsive to us. In the beginning, she has contributed initiatives for community activities in the districty".

Norie has compiled health care and protection documents in Vietnamese for children. Her working agenda often includes visits to communes to give lessons for children at schools. Norie and other doctors, medical workers of the Red Cross chapter have given consultancy o­n health care and proction for mothers and children; free medicine for disabled people and elderly people.

The enthusiatic and responsible girl has become a close member of many families in the Thanh region.

After two years in the region, Norie has come to 15 communes and town of Hoang Hoa district. She has often given gifts for children and made toys for them. She has also became a teacher of nutition and health care for children in primary schools and kindergartens. In late November, she and the delegation from JICA brought along boxes of fresh milk for children of Hoang Thanh commune's kindergarten, which is the poorest commune of Hoang Hoa district. The gift is the award for Norie in a recent JICA-sponsored contest.

By the end of this year, Norie will end her two year of volunteer in Vietnam. However, she still has plans for community health care development and co-operation with the Red Cross chapter of Hoang Hoa district.