Farm with handicapped /HOKKAIDO

Hokkaido Neiraku kyodogakusya was founded in June,1977 at Not only have they grown rice and vegetables, also hogs and chickens for maintaining self-sufficient, sustainable farm life. Since 1996, they focus on producing sausages, bacons, salami and white rice as well as selling them directly to local consumers. There are about 20 people living and operating Neiraku Kyodogakusha. Most of them are physically or psychologically handicapped adults (mostly Male) facing difficulties in society or having a good family relationship. Neiraku Kyodogakusha helps those people by making a better living place so that they can live together and cooperates hand in hand with others. Their abilities and characteristics may not work well in school or workplace but they accept them regardless of academic background or social experience. The members thus are expected to work and learn together and to try to make this place like their real home. CIEE has been hosting an international volunteer project since 2011 and it will be 7th anniversary this summer. Kyodogakusha are groups who believe that it is best to live close to nature in order to seek better living possibilities and to experience the joys and the hardships of life. All Kyodogakusha houses are located in villages in the countryside. There are four locations of kyodogakusya in Japan, Two in Nagano and other two in Hokkaido. Official homepage (ENGLISH): http://www2.big.or.jp/~ono/kyoudoueng01.html Official homepage (JAPANESE): http://www.kyodogakusya.or.jp/neiraku/index.html