The Life is Climbing documentary film viewing and Q&A, held on April 19 at Arcadia Ichigaya, celebrated the 50th anniversary of VVI and attracted a diverse audience of 130 participants, including many non-CWAJ members, people with visual impairments, and students.
The screening was well received, prompting engaging discussion and reflections on the experiences of the ‘stars’ of the documentary, Koichiro “Koba” Kobayashi and Naoya Suzuki.
The event successfully raised awareness about CWAJ and its programs for the visually impaired. Before the film, attendees enjoyed displays about Hands-on Art, VVI, and CWAJ, and reconnected with old friends and meet new ones.
Special guests included Chuji Sashida, executive director of the National Committee of Welfare for the Blind, and Haruka Tamaoki, a 2024 SVI scholarship recipient. High school students from the International School of the Sacred Heart volunteered as guides for their peers from the Special Needs Education School for the Visually Impaired, Tsukuba University.
Participants expressed gratitude for the event, emphasizing its impact and meaningful experiences. One participant was impressed to learn about CWAJ‘s strong ties to the visually impaired community and its commitment to education and culture.
For the full report, please click here: June2025eNews, Life is Climbing, VVI50thLife is Climbing
VVI 50th Anniversary committee, VVI committee, Education
Contact: Joanna Chinen: joannacookchinen@gmail.com
