FARMING WITH HANDICAPPED PEOPLE IN DYNAMIC NATURE

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Japan Farming People with disabilities Farming People with disabilities Permanent

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Our partner in Japan is an organization dedicated to promoting international education and cultural exchange programs. They offer a wide range of study abroad programs, internships, and language immersion experiences for students from around the world who wish to explore Japan's rich culture, history, and society. They work closely with educational institutions, businesses, and local communities to provide meaningful and immersive experiences for participants. Our partner also offers support services such as accommodation, language training, and cultural orientation to ensure a smooth transition and successful experience in Japan. Through its programs, our partner aims to foster cross-cultural understanding, global competence, and personal growth among participants while strengthening ties between Japan and the international community.

💼 What the programme involves

Volunteers will participate in daily activities alongside handicapped residents and staff at Kyodo-gakusha, including:
- assisting with tasks at the pig and chicken farms alongside local handicapped residents;
- providing support with meat processing activities;
- engaging in vegetable farming tasks such as weeding and harvesting;
- helping to prepare meals and sweets for residents;
- participating in daily routines such as facility cleaning.

🏠 Accommodation on site

Accommodation is provided at the Kyodo-gakusha facility. Amenities include bedding in bedrooms, toilets, bathrooms with bathtubs, and laundry machines.

🍲 Food

Meals are provided, and vegetarian options are available; however, individual requests for specific dietary restrictions, such as food allergies, cannot be accommodated.

📍 About the location

Hokkaido, the largest and northernmost prefecture in Japan, attracts millions of tourists year-round. Renowned as the 21st largest island globally, it boasts abundant natural beauty and numerous national parks. Beyond its vast wilderness, Hokkaido is characterized by its refreshing and dry summer climate, while its mountains are blanketed in exquisite powder snow during winter. Neiraku in Obira machi, situated in Rumoi-gun, is a quaint town with approximately 3,300 residents. Nestled within a 34-hectare hillside amidst rice paddies, it lies 15 kilometers east of the Japan Sea and west of Asahikawa. Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, gained international acclaim as the host city of the 1972 Winter Olympic Games. This year, Sapporo's Odori Park will serve as the venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Marathon and Race Walk. For more information about Sapporo city, please visit the official website: http://www.sapporo.travel/?lang=en

🎒 Leisure activities

Numerous other towns in Hokkaido offer tourists the opportunity to immerse themselves in stunning natural landscapes and savor fresh seafood delicacies. For sushi enthusiasts, Hokkaido presents an excellent chance to experience authentic Japanese sushi. Volunteers planning to explore the region during their free time should have at least 10,000 JPY in cash on hand.

🤝 Meeting point

The meeting point will be indicated in the info sheet.

ℹ️ Additional information

Kyodo-gakusha are communities that advocate for living in harmony with nature to seek better living possibilities and to experience the joys and challenges of life. All Kyodo-gakusha houses are situated in rural villages across Japan, with five locations spread out across the country—two in Nagano, two in Hokkaido, and one in Tokyo. The term "Kyodo" means "working and living together," while "gakusha" translates to "campus" in Japanese. Hokkaido Neiraku Kyodo-gakusha, founded in June 1977, embodies these principles. They cultivate rice, vegetables, and raise hogs and chickens to sustain a self-sufficient farm life. Since 1996, they have focused on producing sausages, bacon, salami, and white rice, selling directly to local consumers. Approximately 20 individuals, primarily physically or mentally handicapped adults, reside and operate Neiraku Kyodo-gakusha. Many of them face societal challenges or have strained family relationships. Neiraku Kyodo-gakusha offers them a supportive living environment where they can cooperate and thrive together. Regardless of academic or social backgrounds, members are accepted for who they are. They are encouraged to work and learn collectively, striving to create a place that feels like a true home. Since 2011, our partner has been hosting an international volunteer project with Kyodo-gakusha. Visit their website for more information: https://kyodogakusya.or.jp.

Please exercise patience when communicating with the residents of Kyodo-gakusha. Smooth oral communication may sometimes be challenging for them.
Prepare a presentation about your home country, including a recipe for a meal representing your country, to be shared with 20 people. Bring seasonings and ingredients that may not be readily available in Japan.
Bring appropriate clothing for volunteering, as you may get dirty while working outdoors.
Pay attention to your attire when volunteering. Short skirts, shorts, sleeveless shirts, and other clothing items that are too tight, transparent, excessively short, or reveal underwear or private body parts are NOT ALLOWED.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.