Each year for 11 years now, Refugees International-Japan has been sponsoring its Art of Dining Exhibition. In this display, participants present highly individual, beautiful and imaginative tabletop settings for viewers' admiration and inspiration. Proceeds from the event go to RIJ's programs for the relief of immediate needs and the promotion of self-sufficiency among refugees around the world.
Lydia Gomersall, wife of the British ambassador to Japan, is so impressed with the worth of RIJ that on her return here she volunteered to work with this organization. "I first came across RIJ when I was here last time," she said. "I worked a little bit on a concert they were sponsoring then. I very much wanted to get back to such a worthwhile charity."
Gomersall could never have supposed 30 years ago that the life she opened up then would continue to have a defined Japan focus. "I love the country," she said. "When I first came here in 1970, I hitchhiked all over. I was very lucky to be able to do that. It set me up to understand Japan."