Starです。
このブログに掲載の通り、4/17に"Homelessness in Japan"の
講演会でお話をさせていただきました。
その時の参加者のアムネスティ外国人グループの皆さんのリクエストにより、
英語で情報を載せて欲しいと言われましたので、書き込みます。
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About Big Issue Fukuoka Supporters
Welcome to the Big Issue Fukuoka Supporters Blog!! You are probably familiar
with the Big Issue Magazine by the time you got here, so let us explain who
WE are. As you may know already, the Big Issue is a streetpaper sold by the
homeless people. It originated in London and now spread worldwide, and
started in Japan five years ago, first in Osaka and then in Tokyo. It is
now sold in 12 prefectures/cities in Japan. Big Issue started its sales in
Fukuoka City in May 2007. It is currently sold by four homeless people (whom
we call 'vendors') in the Tenjin and Hakata area. The Big Issue Fukuoka
Supporters were also established in May 2007 to identify potential vendors,
and help the homeless people become 'professional vendors' i.e. help them
get well dressed and organized, help them learn to count and manage change,
encourage them to save money and be ready for opportunities to be
reintegrated into the society -- where they once were.
We the supporters are purely a voluntary group, which consist of roughly 20+
people from various backgrounds; social workers, scholars, students,
businesspeople, and others whom have come together for their own reasons and
motiviations. We meet on a monthly basis in order to discuss a broad
agenda, from the vendor's health problems to planning of special events and
marketing ideas.
While the Big Issue is a Japanes language magazine, we know that many of our
vendors have non-Japanese speaking customers. If you are one of them, we are
grateful for your support and interest. If you have not yet purchased the
magazine, and if you can read Japanese, please visit the nearest vendor and
try a purchase. We are confident that the contents is well worth the
purchase (300 yen).
For your information, the Big Issue magazine is currently sold by our
vendors at the corner of Fukuoka Bldg., by the entrance of Shintencho
arcade, at the corner of Nishitetsu Grand Hotel, and in front of Miyako
Hotel at Hakata Station. The work hours differs by each vendor, but
generally, they are available on weekedays from around 8:30 to 18:00.
We will try to offer English information from time to time on special events
and big news.
Thank you very much for reading this blog.
Sincerely from the Big Issue Fukuoka Supporters.