On December 6th, at the Shinpukan in Kyoto, the international cooperation event HOT STEP'09 was held, and Habitat for Humanity Japan had a display!
The theme of HOT STEP was "Not 100 steps for me, but one step for everyone". This event wanted to portray the connection the attendees and the many people who live in povery around the world, so that we may step forward together towards a　solution. This year is the third year Habitat for Humanity Japan has　participated. Habitat for Humanity Japan's Campus Chapter's Ritsumeikan University International NGO organization RitsBLOH is one sponsoring organization. The college students wanted to emphasize the importance of international understanding and international cooperation from their area. This is why this is a HOT! event.
Over 15 students from Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Kansai Gakuin University, and Kansai University of International Studies participated at the Habitat for Humanity Japan booth. Everyone said that they wanted to make people aware of the existence of the housing problem in the world, and in order to take a step towards a solution, they wanted people to participate in the Global Village program. That is why they passionately explained Habitat for Humanity to the attendees.

The theme of the Habitat for Humanity Japan booth was "What's home for you?" We had our attendees imagine the word "home", write down their thoughts, and post it on world map at the booth. Usually, having a home is something obvious; however, we heard impressions such as "I only need to write one word, but I can't think of anything..." and "there are people in the world who have no home to return to..."

Again, we want people to become conscious of the housing problem through our explanations and projects, but we don't want it only to be at that moment. We are selling the 2010 Habitat for Humanity calendar, so that you can share with your family and other people. We sold out of the 70 calendars we had prepared for the day.

The power of the many college students in implementing the Habitat for Humanity Japan booth as well as the event made HOT STEP a success! It was a space where we could leave an impression on somebody's heart and make Japan's future a little bit more promising. We are considering having a display next year as well.
※ The proceeds from the calendar sales goes towards the expense of overseas house building activities.
You can buy a 2010 Habitat for Humanity Japan calendar here!