R.I. Japan, a Tokyo volunteer organization assisting refugees in countries that include Rwanda and Myanmar, is again selling Christmas cards to raise funds, an activity it has been engaged in since 1980.The organization is selling seven types of Christmas cards, including those bearing copies of paintings by well-known Japanese artists such as Taiji Harada.Also available are cards with a folding-screen print from a famed Edo Period artist. The cards are sold in packages of 10, priced at 2,000 yen, from which the volunteer organization takes 1,700 yen and sends to nongovernmental organizations engaged in refugee-relief operations in various countries. According to R.I. Japan, there are about 22 million refugees worldwide.R.I. Japan has sold Christmas cards as part of fundraising efforts every year since 1980. The organization raised about 17 million yen in funds through the sale of such charity cards during fiscal 1997.To purchase R.I. Japan's Christmas cards, call the organization at (03) 5500-3093 and ask for a catalog. Calls will be accepted from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays.
