📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Minnade Shoei is a local group in Okayama prefecture to support the foundation of new organization in Mimasaka area. They are working to improve civic activities and facilitate collaboration and networking among different organizations. Most membership organizations belong to environment, child care or community support section to solve ongoing social problems. They started STV project with CIEE Japan about 20 years ago and started MTV 2 years ago. The host organization expects this project to stimulate the community and accelerate the international communication and cultural exchange among Japanese and international volunteer members. A volunteer will first work in an area called Mimasaka KOSE (ca 1/2oeaOa a). It is led by a local NPO named Torikaze, founded in 2014 in order to make the rural area more revitalized and attractive to visitors and new settlers. Their activities are based on a community center which was used to be an elementary school for long time. By remodeling the gymn
💼 What the programme involves
Actual project term: 3 July - 31 JulyThis is a unique MTV project which volunteers work solely with local Japanese people in the first 2 weeks, then work together with STV participants from CIEEJ1803 project (July 16-31).Many preparations in local festivals, doing agricultural work, attending culture exchange events [PART 1 Between July 3 aeuro( July 16(KOSE) KOSE is located in Mimasaka-city of Okayama prefecture. There will be many events and works such as follows: -Preparing/participating local MATSURIaeuroeurofestival,-Mowing tea farms and cleaning local temple and the accommodation aeurooeTorikazeaeuro, -Communicating with infant/children and their mothers (20-30s). Volunteers are expected to work cooperatively in a group, and work well. [PART 2 Between July 16- July 31 (MIMASAKA)-Cleaning a shrine, river, walking trails, public facilities and a school -Doing an environmental work on the riverside and a shrine -Joining English day camp at local high school -Introducing cuisine of
🏠 Accommodation on site
Bedding will be provided. There are a washer, a kitchen, a lavatory and a bathroom. Internet may not be available depending on the family. Please always ask your host family when you use, a washer or a kitchen, etc. You may need to do the laundry by yourself or your laundry will be washed together with familyaeuros and be asked to help with it. Please be flexible and helpful. Three meals a day will be provided. A volunteer who has an allergy (or preference) in wheat, meat or fish can not be accepted because those are often served in a Japanese meal and a family does not prepare meals by individual request. A volunteer is also expected to eat rice, miso soup, fish (sometimes raw) as well as meat (chicken, pork and beef) on a daily basis without any problem
📍 About the location
Mimasaka-city (http://kanko.city.mimasaka.lg.jp/ ) is famous for beautiful landscapes and hot springs. The most notable sightseeing spot is the birthplace of Musashi Miyamoto (1584-1645), the strongest swords man handling two swords at the same time. Hayashino Station is located about one and half hours by train (JR Kishin line) from Himeji city in Hyogo prefecture. Their landmark Himeji Castle was designated as a national treasure in 1931, and the World Cultural Heritage in 1993.
ℹ️ Additional information
You will be frequently asked to introduce yourself to local people especially in cultural exchanges settings. Please be prepared and enjoy that exposure. You are expected to have a good relationship with their host family. Therefore, helping housework actively and refraining yourself from going out at night are appreciated.