AHAN Project Report

Labor Day Mongolian Homeless Children
Fundraising Benefit Concert and Dinner

September 3rd, 2001

By Emily Busch, Nippon Kan Vice President

(Click any photo to see a larger version.)

Over 300 guests were in attendance for this very special fundraising event for the homeless children of Mongolia. Starring, as guest performers were the Kyo Gaku Taiko Drummers from Matsukawa, Japan. The Kyo Gaku Drummers performed at the opening ceremonies at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. They have thrilled audiences all over the world, and this performance was no exception. In the year 2000 Nippon Kan organized a cross-cultural exchange tour that brought an entourage from the United States to Matsukawa to join the drummers in a festival of song and dance. Included in the entourage were five Native American Indian traditional dancers that delighted all from both sides of the globe. This year’s performance was a continuation of Nippon Kan’s cross-cultural exchange program, but with a new humanitarian purpose.

The Labor Day event was rich in a mingling of cultures, but was not only a success because of the dynamic performance of the Kyo Gaku Drummers. It was also a success because of the support that was raised for the orphans in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Homma Sensei commented on the event as “hitting two wonderful birds with one stone.”

The event was held at Nippon Kan in Domo Restaurant Gardens. As part of the event the Mongolian community, under the guidance of elders visiting from Ulaanbaatar, built the first traditional nomadic Mongolian home (Ger) in Denver. Dressed in traditional clothing, the Mongolian community leaders gave the Denver community a taste of Mongolian culture. Building the Ger brought our Mongolian friends a little closer to home, an experience they seemed to enjoy very much.

Dinner was a banquet of over twenty-five Japanese entrees prepared by Homma Sensei (who is also the owner and head chef of Domo Restaurant) and his staff. With over 300 guests to serve, we did not see much of Homma Sensei until the last dish was served. The meal was met with applause and many accolades. Domo Restaurant was named in Zagats Restaurant Review, the 5th Best Japanese Restaurant in America, and #1 in décor. Denver’s major newspapers have also named Domo Restaurant the Best Japanese Restaurant in Denver for the last four years.

Another reason for celebration this Labor Day was that this was also the kick-off event for AHAN (Aikido Humanitarian Active Network). AHAN was the organizer for this fundraising event, our orphanage project already in progress and many events to come. We were able to raise over $10,000 which will allow AHAN to continue its pledge of sending $1500 each month to Mongolia in support of the orphanage project for the next five years. Please link to other AHAN activities.

Next year AHAN and Nippon Kan are planning another benefit concert and dinner, this time featuring traditional Mongolian folk singers and acrobats. Many thanks to all of the businesses and individuals who supported this event.

Denver Mongolian Community
Sushi Den Restaurant
Nishimoto Trading Company
Shamrock Foods
True World Foods
Pepsi Cola Bottling Company
Anheuser Busch, Kirin Brewing Company
Denver Parks and Recreation
Boa Construction Company
Domo Restaurant.