Organized together with Kurikoma Plateau Nature School (KPNS) which runs provides various nature-oriented courses, eco tours, kids programs and support of the students with difficult backgrounds and has hosted the workcamps and long term volunteers from NICE (including rehabilitation from the earthquake that hit this area in 2008).
The giant earthquake hit the eastern part of Japan on 11 March by which (including tsunami and fire caused by the earthquake) over 27,000 people have either died or been missing. Kurikoma is located very far from the sea and so, had almost no damage), but all the staff members of KPNS are so busy to work to support the affected areas, so they need a few vols. who can help to maintain the School itself. .
Work:
We will mainly help farming (e.g. cultivation of rice fields) as well as take care of the animals such as horses, goats, chicken and also maintain the forests nearby within the eco-village plan of KPNS. So, this is a quite indirect way to support the affected areas (be aware of it and don't expect to help people directly!), but still important!
Accommodation:
Log cabin of KPNS. Meals will be either cooked by the vols. or provided by KPNS. Sleeping bag is not necessary.
Location:
Center of Tohoku area, specified as the quasi-national park, so you can enjoy the beech woods and the alpine plants in all seasons. About 150 km from the power station, so no serious danger for radioactivity. It is colder than Tokyo, average temperature may be 10C for April, 15C for May and 20C for June (morning can be 5-10C less).
Terminal:
Tokyo. (5-6 hours from Tokyo by the highway bus).
Leisure Activities:
This is totally different from usual workcamps, so please don't expect any cultural. leisure programs by the organizers.
Special Remarks - very important!: * Qualification: Vols. need to be fulfilled in all of the following points... + Those who can manage the activities and life by themselves + Those who can consider others feeling and accept their difficulties + Those who can adapt themselves well in simple and hard life conditions + Those who have flexibility, patience and can respect local ways + No smoking. No vegetarian (you need to enjoy eating any food!)
* The very aim of the project is to improve the local situation that should be the first motivation than inter-cultural learning, group solidarity, etc. Vols. need to submit the motivation letters with the application forms.
* The project starts on Mondays and finish on Sundays and the minimum period is 1 week, so the applicants need to fill in the period on the application forms according to this rule. Vols. need to arrive at Tokyo by the Sunday night and can come back there in the Sunday evening. We welcome longer term volunteers!
* There are possibilities to stop/ change the activities/places depending on the situations and even if it is happened, we will try to accommodate the vols. in different projects depending on their needs/ wish.
* Volunteers need to pay transportation to/ from the project. There is no fee, we will provide the meals and accommodation by free by using the donation (while Japanese vols. pay some fee for the fund) though you are of course welcomed to raise and bring any amount of donation!
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »
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0844 20 90 927
