A Happy New Year to all. Wish everyone's health and happiness for this new year.

It has been 6 years since Habitat for Humanity Japan (HFHJ) has registered as NPO in Japan in 2003. 2008 was a fruitful year emphasizing collaboration work with corporations. In overseas volunteer programs, Prudential Real Estate Investors has participated HFHI house-built project as a part of their training program in Thailand and we also gained supporters all over Japan by working with "CHIKYU-NO-ARUKIKATA" magazine (Globe-Trotter Travel Guild book) as the first time. Domestically, Citibank Group got involved with School Repair program and also Scholarship program by Dow Chemical Company was implemented to provide financial support to campus chapters. Those are some new things that we have tried last year in order to seek new opportunities to expand HFH programs in Japan.
This year will be a very tough and challenging year to every one and every company including NPO. In order to cope with this economic situation proactively, we have made changes in the Board of Directors and created new organization with office staff as well as moving to new office to reduce the cost. With new set-up, HFHJ will strive for revitalizing domestic activities, strengthening funds-raising programs, and promoting active participation to Jimmy Carter Work Project in Thailand in November this year. We look forward to your active involvement and continuous support to HFHJ in 2009.
Atsuko Serizawa
Chairperson of the Board