Effort led by a Local Company - Annual Charity Golf Tourney in its 4th Year

Organized by a local company, the Charity Golf Tournament is now in its fourth year.

With the aim of raising money for people with disabilities, a charity golf tournament was held in the capital city Vientiane on Sunday, February 24, 2008. The event was organized by Ace Equipment, an authorized distributor of RICOH. The annual event, now in its fourth year, was a great success with more than 100 golfers which included dignitaries such as Vice President Bounnhang Vorachith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith, and business people from local and international organizations in Laos.
ACE Equipment employees were eager to help out with the numerous operational duties which extended from 7 am to 6 pm.

"As a fellow Laotian, I wanted to be of help."

The President of Lao Brewery Company Ltd. Mr. Kissana Vongsay, producer and marketer of the popular Beer Lao, says "It's because the people of Lao PDR drink our beer that our company has been successful. We wanted to return our profit to society by helping out fellow Laotians with disabilities."

A total of 8,550 US dollars (approx 880,000 yen), a record high for this tournament, was raised and the entire sum was donated to AAR JAPAN and the NRC Wheelchair Workshop for its Wheelchair Production Project in Laos. This included not only registration fees, but also generous donations from individual and corporate participants.

AAR JAPAN's PR Booth Promotes Understanding

Manichanh, staff of AAR Laos, responds to questions on the Wheelchair Production Project from the participants.

An AAR JAPAN PR booth was set up at the venue in order to promote understanding of the need to encourage self-reliance among people with disabilities. Photographs of the Wheelchair Production Project in Laos were on display, and AAR Laos's local staff members took the opportunity to introduce AAR JAPAN's activities to participants who dropped by at the booth.

AAR JAPAN's Renewed Commitment to Supporting Locally-led Activities

Members of staff from ACE Equipment ensured smooth operation throughout the day. In the center is Mr. Joseph Tan who played a key role in making this tournament happen.

Mr. Daovone Pachanthavong, President and Mr. Joseph Tan, Director of ACE Equipment were the men behind this charity event. It was indeed through their effort that many Laotians came to know about AAR JAPAN's Wheelchair Production Project in Laos.

AAR JAPAN's commitment is not only limited to giving financial or material help. We realize the importance of assisting local efforts which aim to support disadvantaged people in their own communities. This tournament is an example of such a locally-led effort where business people got together to show their concern and support for fellow Laotians.