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Kamonohashi-Project

by Yutaka Kubota

I can best explain the activity of the Kamonohashi-Project of NPO by using the photographs that I took last month. The Kamonohashi-project was founded in Japan in 2002, and works to prevent prostitution in Cambodia.

The organization has set-up a factory for vocational training where the skill of handicrafts is taught to women around twenty years old who have no other skills. Women who are trained here are people who cannot otherwise support their families and are highly likely to go into prostitution, because it is very difficult to find employment.

Because most of the craft products sold in the souvenir shops in Cambodia are produced in Thailand, the potential for markets for these craft products is very high in Cambodia. About 30 women take training in this factory. The main products are bags, pencil cases, etc. which are made with natural fibers. These products are sold at souvenir shops which are very popular with foreigner visitors and therefore must be the highest quality. The women taking the training to produce them are very serious about their work. After the training, women can master the manufacturing skills, and in about three months, they can begin to earn money; they are highly motivated, because they have a mission to support their families.

The activity of this Kamonohashi-Project is not only the prevention of women from becoming prostitutes, but also it contributes to the support of the independence of women.

Yutaka Kubota On behalf of Kamonohashi Project

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