10th of Mar

Today’s plan…A.M. Meeting with the representative of Japanese NGO

                     P.M. Visiting the Training Centre

This morning I was woken up by a call from Mrs. Nimura who represents Japanese NGO which helps blind people in Vietnam. I have known her for five years. She said she is coming here soon.

9:00 – 11:00 @My place

She came to my place with her secretary. Actually I didn’t expect that I can meet her today.

It was nice to talk to her about the present situation of blind people because she gave me valuable insights from the perspective from a foreigner and we can talk in Japanese!

According to her, it is difficult to get an honest opinion in a communist county. She said they are willing to answer what they have achieved, but hesitant to dig up the problems. But anyway it was nice to know these backgrounds before I carry out research.

13:30@ Training Centre

After eating lunch with the host family, Mrs. Nimura, her secretary and I went to the Training Centre which provides the vocational training for blind people.

We met the vice-president of this center and I introduced myself and my research. She is also blind but highly intelligent and a cheerful person.

Mrs. Nimura carried her handmade braille books. She is translating arithmetic into braille. It is originally a small thin textbook but when it is translated into braille, it became big thick five books.

In the braille printing room, I found a braille printer which was provided from Japanese government. This is a part of the foreign Aid from Japan. I’m glad that they were using it. But the engineer said that this has no manual and very few people can use it because its procedure is too complicated.

One thing I didn’t expect in here is the weather. I’ve expected in Vietnam in March is hot. But actually it’s still cold. When I told host mother that I only brought T-shirts from UK, she lent me warm clothes, scarf, pajamas, and even socks. So now I’m totally wearing in the style of Vietnamese.