NICE Projects for Winter Spring January May MENU What

NICE Projects for 2006 -Winter/ Spring(January-May) MENU ☺ What is NICE? P 2 ☺ What are International Workcamps? P 3 ☺ Project 1: International Workcamps by NICE P 4 -9 1) Introduction (P 4) 2) How to Apply? (P 4) 3) Summery List (P 5) 4) General Qualification (P 5) 5) Pre workcamp (P 5) 6) Where are Workcamps Located? (P 5) 7) Detailed Workcamps Information (P 6 - 9) ☺ Project 2: International Workcamps in the world P 10 ☺ Project 3: Long And Middle term voluntary Programs P 10 ☺ Project 4: Weekend workcamps P 14 ☺ Project 5: Group workcamps P 15 ☺ Project 6: Greening Foster Parents P 16 ☺ Project 7: Other Project P 16 NICE (Never-ending International workCamps Exchange) Address : 2-1-14-401 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 JAPAN Tel. : 81-3-3358-7140 (Mon-Fri 10:00-12:30/ 13:30-18:00) Fax : 81-3-3358-7149 Web site : http://nice1.gr.jp < Organizing International & Weekend Workcamps > General matters : nice@nice1.gr.jp (Kai = KAIZAWA Shinichiro, President) Incoming placement: in@ nice1.gr.jp (Eiji = UEDA Eiji) Outgoing placement: out@nice1.gr.jp (Mika = FUJISAWA Mika) LAMP (LMTV) : LM@nice1.gr.jp (Tatsuya = TSUKAMOTO Tatsuya, Director) Other staffs: SUEYOSHI Kazuhiro, YOSHII Hisano, OZAKI Yoshihiro. ANAGAMA Miwa and OKINO Michiko -1- What is NICE!? * NGO/ NPO to organize workcamps and other voluntary projects in Japan & east Asia * President of CCIVS at UNESCO and President of NVDA (Asian network) * Enjoying to create a new global age by mentally young people! 1) Brief History; NICE was founded on 4th Feb. in 1990 by 7 youth who had participated in workcamps abroad. In Sep. 90, the first international workcamp in Japan was held at the foot of the Mt. Fuji. It has been developing rapidly and variously with huge needs of projects & motivations of people! 2) Aims; a) To create/ develop/ revive ecological, self sufficient and warm-hearted civilization. We promote exciting voluntary actions by fresh ideas and mobility as a youth NPO, to shift the world with too much competition and expansion into more healthy one for both nature and people. b) To encourage activities of NGO/NPOs and activation of local communities We create opportunities to meet new people and to start new actions by involving many locals. We make bridges between isolated NPOs and local people, and invite youth to depopulated areas. c) To promote global friendship, understanding and solidarity We grow exchange naturally among world youth and local people through living, working, talking and laughing together. They can improve global views/ sensitivity and language/ planning skills. 3) Activities; To achieve the above aims, NICE makes use of the following forms of activities; a) To organize international workcamps in Japan and east Asia with local partners and people b) To send volunteers from Japan to workcamps & LAMP (Long And Middle term voluntary Programs) c) To organize weekend workcamps in Japan g) Bracelet project against kids prostitution d) To organize LAMP in Japan & send LM vols. h) To publish various books, web and videos e) To develop various networks of NGO/NPOs i) To organize seminars and charity concerts f) 1,300 Green Foster Parents for Asian forests j) To hold lessons & speech in schools, etc. In 94: a) 16 projects & 213 vols./ b) 127 vols./ c) 24 projects & 240 vols./ d) 0 project & 0 vols. In 99: a) 45 projects & 535 vols./ b) 487 vols./ c) 101 projects & 1,154 vols./ d) 0 project & 7 vols. In 04: a) 54 projects & 726 vols./ b) 723 vols./ c) 139 projects & 1,918 vols./ d) 10 projects & 77 vols. 4) Members & Partners; 1,200 full members (79%:female, 71%:students) + over 10,000 local people. 9 professional & 5 regular voluntary staffs together with many active members run it to organize workcamps, to edit & send newsletters, to make web. Site, to support Asia, etc. The General Assembly/ Executive Committee of NICE is held once/ six times in a year. We are completely independent from any political, religious, economic power. NICE is; a) President (the only Japanese member) of CCIVS at UNESCO since 04 b) President of NVDA (Network for Voluntary Development in Asia) since 97 c) The only Japanese member of ALLIANCE of European Voluntary Service Organizations since 96 d) Exchange Partner of SCI (Service Civil International) and YAP (Youth Action for Peace). We also cooperate with a lot of local governments, NGO/ NPOs, media, foundations and people. 5) Finance; a) Running cost (staffs, offices, etc.) is managed by the fees from members and volunteers. b) Project cost (food, accommodation, etc.) of international workcamps in Japan and LAMP are mainly by local partners (their own budgets, local governments, sponsoring foundations, etc.) c) Project cost of workcamps in other Asia and weekend workcamps are paid mainly by volunteers. -2- International voluntary projects, where 10 - 30 volunteers in the world live & work with local people for 2 - 3 weeks. Mostly in summer, but some in other seasons. 1) Brief History; In 1920, the first one started in France by German & French youth as reconstructing the farms destroyed during the World War I. Since then, it has been spreading to all over the world. In the 60s, many workcamps with construction works were organized in newly independent countries as well as peace projects between East & West in Europe. Environmental ones have been increasing since 80s. According to our research, about 2,700 projects in 94 countries were held in 2004. 2) Voluntary Works; Normally for 6-8 hours in a day and 5 days in a week. The types of works are varied; a) Environment : Cleaning rivers, planting trees, protecting animals, creating eco-villages, etc. b) Agriculture : Picking fruits or seeding in organic farms, reviving uncultivated fields, etc. c) Construction : schools, toilets, renovating castles, converting farms into youth centers, etc. d) Social work : With/ for children, refugees, mentally/ physically disadvantaged, elders, etc. e) Arts/Education: Organizing festivals, performing play against AIDS in schools, archaeology, etc. f) Others : Making proposals of town planning, recycling & sending bicycles to India, etc. 3) Accommodations & Free time activities; Usually youth centers, public halls, schools and sometimes tents or temples that are simple but even better for the group life! Volunteers often cook by turns and enjoy global tastes. The common language is English in most of workcamps though you had better to try local languages. In some workcamps, the hosts or we volunteers organize discussions, excursions, and exchange parties with local people, school visit, sports programs, etc. It is very important to note that workcamps should be made by all volunteers with local people. Volunteers are not guests! 4) Workcamp Organizations (WOs); Most of WOs are non-governmental/ non-profit organizations (NGO/NPOs). Most of WOs're affiliated with CCIVS (Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service) founded by UNESCO, UN in 1948 to assist & promote workcamps in the world. It publishes booklets and organizes conferences and a few workcamps where no workcamps are existed yet. WOs are not branches of CCIVS, but the creators of this network! Each WO independently & freely organizes workcamps mainly in their own countries with local governments or NGO/NPOs and cooperate with other WOs abroad. They are organized locally, coordinated nationally and exchanged internationally! 5) Finance; Many WOs manage the running finances by inscription fee from volunteers & some are supported also by governments, foundations, etc. Volunteers need to pay the travel cost to/from workcamps and fee to WOs in their own countries. Food & accommodations are provided by local partners, though there are participation fee around 100-200 US$ in most workcamps of Africa, south Asia, etc. 6) Common Aims; Although each WOs and workcamps have their own aims, the common aim is to achieve peaceful, healthy, just and sustainable world by a) Creating/ supporting voluntary movements for ecology, human rights, self-sufficiency, etc. b) Activating and involving new people to local communities and NGO/NPOs c) Promoting global understanding, friendship and solidarity -3- Project1:International Workcamps by NICE 1) Introduction; We welcome you to join our workcamps, sharing happy time and creating fresh new age together! All campsites have nice nature and warm people, so you will discover colorful and vigorous figures of Japan/ East Asia that is completely different from typical images you may have through media. < The common points of all workcamps (unless mentioned in each project description) > a) Age limit : From 18 (No maximum) b) Language : English (Japanese is not necessary, but we welcome your trying!) c) Insurance : We provide small insurance only for accidents during workcamps IN JAPAN. d) Accommodations: Mostly, there're showers, kitchens and toilets. Basic, but enjoyable enough. e) Study Part : All workcamps have it to learn, discuss and plan better local/ global future! 2) How to apply and join the projects!? A: Applying through the partners!! Volunteers have to apply not directly to us, but through our partner Workcamp Organizations (WOs) of their own countries unless you live in Japan or in countries where NICE has no partners. In this exceptional case, they need to send the application form to NICE and also pay the fee to; UFJ Bank, Shinjuku Branch, Ordinary account, Account no: 4958987, Name: NICE B: How much should volunteers pay? Volunteers have to pay the travel cost to/ from workcamps & the following registration fee to NICE while food and accommodation during the projects are provided by NICE & the local partners; a) From organizations charging no fee to NICE vols. : No fee b) From organizations charging some fee to NICE vols. : 10,000 YEN per a workcamp (+) c) Individual applicants (Exceptionally as above mentioned) : 20,000 YEN per a workcamp (++) * Most of European/ North American partners are a) and Asian/ African/ Latin American are b). + This depends on the agreement with each partner. We usually charge the same amount as they do while 10,000 Yen can be maximum even if they charge more. ++ People originally from economically disadvantaged countries (GDP: below 5,000 US$) are discounted to 10,000 YEN (if they also live in such countries) or 15,000 YEN (if in other countries). C: The detailed information of the project By 1-2 months before the projects, volunteers will receive ”Information Sheets” (details of the project, what to bring, the meeting point, how to get there, etc.) together with “Acceptance Letter” and “NICE Volunteers’ Guide”, through the partner organizations. D: Book the flights as soon as being accepted! Don’t wait for the Information Sheets, otherwise you may miss economical flights! In all the workcamps in Japan, volunteers will meet at the accommodations or the train stations, in the afternoon of the first day. And they finish in the afternoon of the last day. Some projects are located quite far from the airports and it takes a long time by cheap ways. So, we advise volunteers to arrive at/ leave Japan at least a few days before/ after the projects also because volunteers should not expect so much sightseeing during the projects. (if you want to do it, please do it before/ after the workcamps!) And it is quite possible to stay in the houses of Japanese volunteers in the same workcamps or of other NICE members before/ after the workcamps! (For the details, wait for the info.sheets!) -4- 3) Summery List; Code NICE-IWO/01 NICE-IIWC/02 NICE/03 NICE/04 NICE/14 NICE-MOVE/05 NICE-MCE/06 NICE/07 NICE/08 NICE/09 NICE/10 NICE/11 NICE/12 NICE-MCE/13 Name Olango TNW of NVDA Aya Okino-erabu 1 Kurikoma Julau Bilateral 2 Klang Okino-erabu 2 Minatama Nabari Shibuya Taiki Greening Mongolia Location Philippine *Indonesia Miyazaki Kagoshima Miyagi * Malaysia *Mongolia * Malaysia Kagoshima Kumamoto Mie Tokyo Mie *Mongolia Dates 05/01-16/01 08/01-21/01 10/02-18/02 11/02-03/03 21/02-06/03 14/02-27/02 15/02-28/02 01/03-14/03 04/03-24/03 18/03-31/03 20/03-03/04 21/03-29/03 25/03-02/04 24/04-07/05 Vols 30 30 STUDY/ ENVI AGRI/ CULT 9 AGRI 6 CULT 6 AGRI 18 AGRI/ KIDS 13 SOCI 10 AGRI 12 ENVI/ KIDS 14 ENVI 10 KIDS 8 KIDS/ ENVI 10 ENVI 18 Type ENVI Time 3rd 6th 6th 17th NEW 2nd 35th 13th 18th 15th 14th 7th 17th 36st WW GA GA WW WW GA ENVI = Environment CULT = Cultural projects PHYS = Work with physically disadvantaged ARGI = Agriculture SOCI = Social work (*) MENT = Work with mentally disadvantaged CONS = Construction ELDE = Work with elderly KIDS = Work with children/ orphans PEACE= Peace RENO = Renovation NASS = North and South Solidarity * "Social work" means work with other types of people besides ELDE, PHYS, MENT and KIDS (e.g. Refugee, Homeless) OR work with various types of such people with special needs. LM = LAMP (Long And Middle term voluntary Programs) are also recruited! GA = Organized as a part of the Asian common action "Greening Asia", by "NVDA". WW = Weekend Workcamps are organized in the same/ other seasons 4) General Qualification; a) Best motivation for the voluntary work (special good skills and power are not necessary) b) Responsibility to keep rules of NICE & the partners and cooperation to run the workcamps c) Best efforts to understand and respect cultures both of the hosts and other volunteers d) Open mind to make friends with trying to speak English (in the groups) and the local language e) To adapt and enjoy simple conditions of the living such as food and accommodation Though it'd be very funny and dramatic time for you, if your motivation is only for enjoying holidays, please don't apply and do just travel. If it is more for voluntary service to make a better world and friendship with local people and other volunteers, you are super welcome!! 5) Where are Workcamps Located?; -5- 6) Detailed Workcamps Information; After the backgrounds (partners, aims and histories) of the workcamps; W : Voluntary Work S : Study Themes P : Program of the Activities A : Accommodation L : Location of the Workcamps T : Terminal (The closest big international airport) Q : Additional Qualifications X : Other Useful Information including Additional Fee * For Accommodation, CV = Cooked by Volunteers MP = Meals are Provided. SB! = Sleeping Bag is necessary SBN = Sleeping Bag is Not necessary BE CAREFUL!! Trilateral teenager workcamp by Korean/ Filipino/ Japanese!! NICE/01 Olango (Cebu, Philippine) 05/01-15/01 ENVI 30 (only Kor, Fil & Jap) Organized together with IWO and YES Philippine since 03. Olango is a beautiful island in the middle of the Philippine archipelago. It is a protected wetland of international importance because of its high biodiversity and critical role as feeding and roosting site for birds fling the East Asia Migratory Flyway. It is world famous not only for the migratory birds but also for its endemic flora and fauna. We aim to improve the environmental situation in Olango. W: We will plant Mangroves trees in specially designated area to expand fish territorial home, we will join “World Wetland DAY” organized by Olango nature center. We will help their activities such as making the signboards, painting the walls. We aim to help nature conservation by workcamps. S: The youth issues and education in each country. Bring some info.! P: Excursion, exchange parties, etc. A: Community Center in Olango Island, its traditional Philippine house in the beach. SB! CV L: Olango Island is just 20 minutes away by boat from Mactan, an island in Cebu where the Cebu International Airport is located. T: CEBU, 1 hour by car and boat. Q: Only under 18 years old. Motivation to work in there is necessary! BE CAREFUL!! NICE-IIWC/02 Special project open ONLY to NVDA members!! STDY, ENVI, KIDS 30 vols. TNW of NVDA (* Indonesia) 08/01-21/01 Organized together with IIWC (Indonesia International Work Camp team) and NVDA (Network for Voluntary network in Asia). NVDA organizes TNW (Training & Networking Workcamp) together with its General Assembly every 2 years where those from new countries learn how to organize workcamps through direct experience and study parts while those who are not new also can improve their activities and cooperation. This is the 6th TNW after Russia 95, China 97, Vietnam 00, Japan 01 and Nepal 04. W: The work focuses on activities with the orphans and street children like HIV education, cultural exchange, etc. We will also work to clean Demak river by removing the plants as well as promoting acryl sponges and traditional ash not to use soap on washing dishes among housewives and kids. S: How to organize workcamps, possible co-projects and any other matters of NVDA. Bring some info.! P: Discussion, visit various organizations and tourist places. A: Public building. SB! MP, sometimes CV. L: Around Semarang, the capital city of Central Java state T: Semarang (IIWC will kindly pick volunteers up at the airport!) Q: Leaders of voluntary NGOs in Asia-Pacific who wants to start workcamps and NVDA members NICE/03 Aya (Miyazaki) 10/02-18/02 AGRI, CULT 9 vols. (5 int.) Organized together with a local group formed for this project that mainly consists of the local organic farmers and staffs of Center to Promote Organic since 99. This town is quite famous for promoting organic farming. In spite of such wonderful natural heritages, that town has one of the smallest population in Japan, especially children are very few, so the main problem of Aya today is aging. We aim to activate the area by workcamps. W: We will be divided into 3-4 groups, help local farmers such as cutting bushes and harvesting vegetable. We will involve local kids to do some volunteer works. We will also join in a local festival. There are possibilities to do some other community works. S: Organic farming in each country. Bring some info.! P: Sports, exchange program with kids, etc. A: Public hall. SB! CV. -6- L: South east of Kyushu Island. About 190 km of Fukuoka. This town is quite famous for promoting organic farming and Eco- tourism by leadership of the mayor and some others. T: Fukuoka (6 hours by bus). From Osaka, 11 hours by bullet train or 16 hours by midnight bus. Q: Interest in organic farming BE CAREFUL!! NICE/04 Erabu 1 Farm-stay program requiring Japanese language!! 11/02-03/03 AGRI 6 vols. (0-1 int.) (Kagoshima) Organized together with some farmers and the local government since 95. Feb.-Mar. is the busiest period for flower farming, the main industry of the island. So, they face the shortage of even temporary paid workers and we volunteers will support them! This is NOT a typical workcamp, BUT rather a farm-stay program except last 4-5 days on which the volunteers stay and do some activities such as cleaning the beach and visiting elders home together. W: We will be divided into 2-3 persons and work with farmers in each farms, mainly harvest and shipment of chrysanthemum. It will be not so hard but for long hours with same type of simple works, so your motivation to share the life & work with them is very important!! S: Future plan of the island. Bring some info.! P: Sports with local youth, excursion, exchange parties, etc. A: Each farm. SBN. MP but you may need to help. L: 536 km south of Kagoshima. Nice nature, culture and people, not polluted by tourism. Quite warm (average in a day is 20 degree in winter). One of the safest places in the world!? T: Naha (6 hours by ship). From Tokyo, it takes 3 days by the slow train and ship for the cheapest way. Q: Very good Japanese language (there will be phone interview). Camp language will be JAPANESE! X: Vols. can get some pocket money, but don’t expect so much! NICE-MOVE/05 Julau (* Malaysia) 14/02-27/02 AGRI 18 (10 int) Organized together with the local long houses and MOVE (Malaysian Organization of Voluntary Exchange) since 05. MOVE is a new NGO to promote workamps in Malaysia formed by ex. vols. in the past projects. NICE will co-organize workcamps with them for 2-3 years and then, they will do it independently. NICE organized this workcamp in Sep. 05 for the first time on Borneo island with a lot of results for exchange with local people and activation on these depopulated mountain communities! W: We will mainly help their farming especially, harvesting rice. We may also visit a school for one day to have cultural exchange as well as try to produce juice from local fruits since locals drink only chemical juice. Hopefully, this utilization of rich resource can employ young people in the future! S: Future projects and cooperation in Malaysia. Bring some info.! P: Exchange parties with Iban dance and drink, excursions, etc. A: Home stay in the long houses (2-3 vols. in each family) with bathing in the river. SB! CV L: A small village in the jungle of Sarawak Island. 45 minutes by 4W car from the nearest town and we can enjoy to exchange with local cheerful people of minority race. T: Sibu (3 hours by bus and car) or Kuching (6 hours by boat and car) Q: To be flexible/ adaptable/ physically strong. Malay speakers are welcome! X: The additional fee of 50 US$ should be paid on your arrival directly. BE CAREFUL!! NICE-MCE/06 Bilateral workcamp between MONGOLIAN & JAPANESE!!! 15/02-28/02 CULT 13 vols. (only Mon & Jap) Ulaanbaatar (* Mongolia) Organized together with MCE (Mongolian workCamps Exchange), CCM (Childcare Center of Mongolia) and the university since 01. From 1990, Mongolia transferred into free market economy and Mongolians started to study foreign, especially Japanese, histories and languages. Also Japanese youth who are interested in Mongolia are increasing. So, we will organize this cultural project that can give advantage to Mongolian to find jobs and also to exchange with each volunteers in the future W: The main work will be to teaching Japanese/ English languages, songs and history to the kids. We may also maintain the orphanage building such as reviving their library room as well as running Asian common actions for forests and kids prostitution. S: The future plan of international workcamps in Mongolia and the orphanage. Bring some info.! P: Cultural exchange program, excursions, etc. A: Youth hostel or volunteers rooms. SB! CV. Shower will be available every some days. L: Ulaanbaatar. One third of population in the country (2.4 millions) live in this capital city. Don't worry about the weather, we will work and live in a warm inside. T: Ulaanbaatar (MCE will kindly pick volunteers up at the airport!) -7- Q: To like kids and be flexible/ adaptable. Mongolian speakers are welcome! NO VEGETARIAN!! X: The additional fee of 130 Euros should be paid on your arrival directly. NICE/14 Kurikoma (Miyagi) 21/02-06/03 CULT, CONS 6 vols. (3 int.) Newly organized together with the Kurikoma Plateau Nature School (KPNS) that was founded in 1996. The KPNS reviews relations of humans and nature, and is offering the place where happier life can come. They provide various nature-oriented courses, eco-tour, kids programs and independence support of the student who has difficult background. In Kurikomam, in spite of such wonderful natural heritages, that town has one of the smallest population in Japan. We aim to activate the area by workcamps. W: We will mainly help and join the festival by making big Snow Statues in the town, this snow festival has been held to activate the town. It will be physically hard work. Additionally, we will do the various work needed in the KPNS and area such as lowering the snow. S: Unique festivals in each country. Bring some info.! P: Exchange parties, excursion, etc. A: Log cabin CV. L: Center of Tohoku area, north part of Japan. The Kurikoma specified for the quasi-national park can enjoy the beech wood and the alpine plant in all seasons. There is a snow of 2m in Feb and March. T: From Tokyo, about 3 hours by bullet train or around 9 hours by bus. Q: Motivation to actively work in the cold are and with local people! NICE/07 Klang (Malaysia) 01/03-14/03 KIDS, SOCI 10 vols. Organized together with MOVE (see NICE/05) and a spastic school for mentally challenged kids since 05. The school where the leader of MOVE works did not want to host volunteers since Malaysian medical internship students tended to treat with the kids as dirty things, but they have changed the idea after seeing behaviors of Japanese vols. last year who were very close to the kids! We aim to stimulate on their life and improve their communication skills. They are so cute! W: We'll assist the teachers in the elementary and the kindergarten schools for one week each, by helping their daily life and lessons as well as organizing to play some dance, songs, games and excise. We may also help maintenance of the buildings and the gardens. S: Situation of mentally challenged kids and future plan of workcamps. Bring some info.! P: Excursion, parties, Indian dinner, etc. A: Schools and sometimes, home stay. SB! Basically CV. L: Port town, not far from Kuala Lumpur (about 1 hour). In Malaysia, 60% of population is Malay, 25% is Chinese and 10% is Indian. Q: Those who likes children and has high motivation to work with those kids. You also need to respect local cultures and ways. Experience of workcamps and similar type of voluntary service are welcome! X: The additional fee of 100 US$ should be paid on your arrival directly. BE CAREFUL!! NICE/08 NICE/09 Farm-stay program requiring Japanese language!! (Kagoshima) 04/03-24/03 AGRI 12 vols. (0-2 int.) 14 vols. (7 int.) Okino-erabu 2 Minamata Same as NICE/04 except the following points; (Kumamoto) 18/03-31/03 ENVI, CULT Organized together with Minamata International Exchange Supporters since 92. Though there was a big tragedy of public pollution 40 years ago, it’s completely safe now and Minamata is pioneering to be ecological town by distinguishing garbage into 21 categories, etc. The workcamps have been creating a forest on the reclaimed land to bear new lives as a symbol of revival, with strong wish of the patients. This place is very important for the world to reflect on modern industrialization. W: We will maintain the workcamp forest by transplanting the seedlings and collecting fallen leaves to fertilize the soil for a few days. We will also help to prepare and run “Onion festival” as well as do some community works like farming and cleaning. Part of Greening Asia. S: Future plan of Minamata and Greening Asia. Bring some info.! P: Home stay, exchange parties and visit to the junior high school A: We may stay in a few community centers for several days each. SB! CV. L: South west in Kyushu island. People are cheerful and many of man like to drink sake!! If lucky, you could enjoy parties under cherry flowers! T: Fukuoka (3 hours by train). From Osaka, 6 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus. Q: Interest to protect nature and to exchange with people. -8- NICE/10 Nabari (Mie) 20/03-03/04 ENVI 10 vols. (5 int.) Organized together with "Akame no Mori wo Mamoru kai" (Group to protect forests in Akame), a local environmental NPO since 99. Being located near from both big cities of Osaka and Nagoya, there were some plans of a golf link and disposing industrial garbage and local people have stopped them by "Woods Trust" movement. They formed this group in 96 to collect donations to buy and protect lands, to own a pension to enjoy nature, to maintain forests, to create a pond for dragonflies, etc. We will have forest Festival. The main aim of this event is to show forest to local people. W: We will do various works to take care of the forest such as cutting trees, cutting branches, maintain the footpath, etc. Also, we will help elderly people who will commute this eco-resort. We will spend, talk with them, and organizing Forest Festival .Physically hard. Part of Greening Asia. S: Local participation to protect nature and Greening Asia. Bring some info.! P: Excursion, exchange parties, Visiting schools, international games, Forest festival with children. A: The pension named "Eco Resort Akame". CV! L: About 60 km east of Osaka. There are famous falls nearby many hikers visit. The climate in this season is quite cold, so don't forget to bring warm clothes. T: Osaka or Nagoya (1 hour by train from both). Q: Interest in nature conservation NICE/11 Shibuya (Tokyo) 21/03-29/03 KIDS 8 (4 int.) Organized together with Tokyo-to Jido Kaikan, a public kids center run by Tokyo government since 01. The big building has 5 floors to provide various types of leisure facilities and activities for any age of kids to 18, such as a music studio, a library, an athletic area, workshops of handy crafts, a small theater, etc. As so many kids play here in the spring vacation, they need help of international vols. and also expect "new wind" for the education to kids! W: The main work will be to prepare and run an play scheme for kids ages 3 to 8 years old with putting international colors such as games, songs, dances, indoor sports, etc.! We may also organize some social educational programs to raise awareness and actions of kids to ecology, human rights, social welfare, poverty, etc. S: The situation of family to bring up kids. Bring some info.! P: Karaoke, excursion, exchange party with Blind People’s Association, etc. A: Office of Blind People’s Association. SB! CV L: Central Tokyo. Very popular town for youth. T: Tokyo Q: Those who like kids and try to speak/ understand Japanese language. Similar experience is welcome! Motivation letter is needed! NICE/12 Taiki (Mie) 25/03-02/04 ENVI,KIDS 10 vols. (5 int.) Organized together with the local government since 1996. Near three town have merged with, then it became the new town; Taiki in 2005. We tried to create "village with fireflies and insects" that can live only in the clean water. Though we have been continued the workcamps here 10 years, we need to change the projects because of this merger. Then we try to meet many people in this new town, play with children, exchange with local people. Quite many local students have worked together with us. W: We will clean the public facilities, visit the home of mentally disadvantaged people, and organize the volunteer and culture exchange program with Kids. S: Proposals to the local redevelopment. Bring some info.! P: Exchange parties, excursion,, cycling, sports, etc. A: Cycling Terminal (Public Center) with several rooms. CV. We will move with bicycles, so you should be able to ride bicycles!! You can go around the area in free time! L: Agricultural and forestry (80% of the land) village, about 90km southwest of Nagoya. T: Nagoya (3-4 hours by train). From Tokyo, 5 hours by bullet or 10 hours by slow train. Q: Motivation to local revitalization!! Speaking Japanese is not necessary, but still welcome! NICE-MCE/13 Greening Mongolia (* Mongolia) 24/04-07/05 ENVI 18 (10 int.) Planting trees. Co-organized with MCE and financially supported “Greening Asia Fund” in NICE. For more info. and applications, please contact with MCE: mce-mn@magicnet.mn We can strongly recommend the following organizations since they are full of -9- motivations to make a better world by international voluntary projects! For more information and applications, please contact directly to them!! MCE (Mongolian workCamps Exchange) E-address: mce-mn@magicnet.mn IIWC (Indonesia International WorkCamp team) E-address: iiwcindonesia@hotmail.com - 10 - Project2: International Workcamps in the world 1) Who can apply (through NICE)? 1) Japanese citizen 2) Other citizens who are living in Japan for a long time 3) Other citizens whose both original and residential countries have no workcamp organizations. If you are NOT in the above criteria, you need to apply through the organizations in your country. General qualifications are same as Project 1 (see Page 5). 2) How can I apply and how much? Ask NICE (out@nice1.gr.jp) for more information, then we will send you the guidance and the application form. 3) Where and When needed? NICE introduces about 2,600 workcamps in 92 countries organized by partner organizations. The projects are held all through the year (Majority is Jun.-Sep.). Project 3: Long And Middle term voluntary Programs 1) What is LAMP? * Voluntary service program for 2-12 months in centers for social welfare, environmental NGOs, etc. * Some of project sites are partner organizations of international workcamps. * Help their daily activities and also preparation/ running international workcamps. 2) Why is LAMP organized? a) To promote continuous and specialized voluntary works to improve the local activities b) To provide opportunities for volunteers to learn/ enjoy local life and to exchange with people c) To activate not only hosts, but also local communities especially in depopulated areas 3) Who can apply? General qualifications are same as international workcamps. Volunteers need be even more responsible, cooperative, flexible, adaptable and, patient to stay for much longer periods in different culture/ life style and with many unfamiliar persons. Workcamp experience is also welcome since all the hosts will hold international workcamps. 4) How can I apply and how much? All applicants need to send application forms with motivation letters and personal histories through our partner organizations in their countries (unless you are in the above criteria of Project 2 “Who can apply through NICE”). And then, you need to call to NICE office (and if needed, also host organization) for the interview to ask and confirm some points. Time will be appointed by NICE. * Food and accommodation are provided by the hosts * There is no salary, but in some cases, some pocket money is provided by the hosts * Travel cost to/ from the projects have to be paid by volunteers by themselves. If you have questions, please mail to LM@nice1.gr.jp 5) Where and When needed ? - 11 - < Training/ Evaluation Program > All volunteers for LAMP need to participate in this program before/ after the project; Dates :We will inform you later Place : All Training/Evaluation Programs will be held in Tokyo or around Tokyo Program: *Volunteer work experience, *Learning Japanese culture & language, and life. * Studying about host organization & LAMP program, *Welcome & Farewell party, etc Besides the following programs, we may organize some more later! (Of-course, we will inform our partner organizations as soon as new ones would be decided, so please just wait!) W: Work S: Study A: Accommodation L: Location Q: Special Qualification T: Terminal (nearest airport) NICE/LM 01 Shintoku (Hokkaido) CONS /AGRI/ MENT 2 vols. From March, May, July, Sep. for 3 or 6 months Host organization is Kyodo Gakusha shintoku farm, a cooperative community where people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who wants to learn farming, etc. They have five communities in Tokyo, Nagano and Hokkaido and grow animals and vegetables in ecological, organic way with utilizing Bacterium. Their cheese got the 1st prize in the national contest! They are hoping to build new houses for residents this year. W: Constructing houses (making basement, constructing frameworks, etc.), various agricultural works (planting, weeding, cultivating, harvesting, to make organic vegetables taking care of animals), etc. S: Similar types of communities in each country and future networking. Bring some info.! A: Share room of Kyodo Gakusha, cooking as a group by turn (Vegetarian is possible!) L: Agricultural country side, 120 km east of Sapporo. -20 degree in winter and 20 in summer. T: Sapporo (2 hours by express train). From Tokyo, 13 hours by bullet train or 32 hours by ship. Q: Speaking some Japanese, strong motivation for the host. Skills of agriculture or construction can be useful! NICE/LM 02 Ichikai (Tochigi) ENVI/ AGRI/ MENT 2 vols. From April, May, June for 3-6 months Host organization is Monyongoro village, a group home, where mentally disadvantaged live and work together. This group is not only working for social works but also community planning, promoting organic farming and for the environment. In addition to these main works, they organize variety of events and projects, like African library, cartoon library facilities they have. Through these activities they aim to develop and maintain the kindest village in world. They expect volunteers to bring fresh air and involve many local people in this group home. You will also cooperate with volunteers of Middle term workcamp in Ichikai. W: Organic farming (planting, weeding, cultivating, harvesting, to make organic vegetables blue-berry, reviving abandoned rice fields). Forest works (cutting grasses, branches and trees). Constructing a new building for volunteers, Taking care of disadvantaged people and making good communication with local people. A: Building of the village. You’ll share your room with other volunteer. S: About GROUP HOME in your country. Communication between home and area. Bring some info. L: Agricultural countryside, about 100 km north of Tokyo. The population is about 12,000. T: From Tokyo, about 3 hours by train and bus Q: Speaking some Japanese, interested in social works, cooperative, kind and open mind. Speaking Italian or Garman is welcome (since some of them can speak Italian and German)! NICE/LM 03 KAWABA (Gunma) AGRI/ENVI 1 vol. From 1st June to 30th August Host organization is Aruking-club, an NPO, working on the theme of “making good relationship between nature and human beings”. Their aim is to make people know different face of nature… beautiful nature, strong nature, strict nature and generous nature. As a bridge between people and nature, they organize a lot of outdoor activities, like 2 weeks summer camp for kids, nature walking, nature watching, outdoor sports, etc. Also they have organic vegetable fields and domestic - 12 - animals (cow, sheep, etc). They run it and also make opportunities for people to experience agriculture. In addition, they have a lodge and camp site and host a lot of people through a year. W: Working in the organic farm, taking care of domestic animals, supporting to organize outdoor activities and summer camps, cleaning and maintaining the lodge and its area. A: Single room of lodge. Cooked by yourself with other volunteers. Pocket money is not decided yet. S: Interesting program for nature camp, family camp, etc. Bring some info. L: North of Tokyo. About 150 km of Tokyo. 81% of the village is occupied by the forest and there are 5 clean rivers are going through. Aruking club is very isolated but in very beautiful area. T: From Tokyo, about 2 hours by train & bus Q: ASIAN VOLUNTEER ONLY. Speaking some Japanese and some English. Strong interests and motivation working in nature. Willing to stay in the isolated area. NICE/LM 04 Aizuwakamatsu (Fukushima) EDUC/SOCI 2vols. April to October The host organization is Hojyosha, a local NPO founded in 1999. This is a free school where they host kids who do not want to go to school because of many different reasons. It is a serious problem in Japan that there are many kids who do not want go to school, to commit to society or they want to stay home everyday. The Hojyosha is a very important place for these kids. They try to improve their situation through many activities and also they organize outdoor camp and environmental education for kids and youths. W: 1) Organizing outdoor activities and environmental education. 2) Taking car of kids and studying together. 3) Coordinating Internship program for unemployment youths. S: About Free School in your country. Studying about Youth workers basic course. A: A room in their building. Cooked with other staffs. Pocket money will be 20,000 yen per months. L: Aizuwakamatsu is located in Fukushima-prefecture. It is a very historical city and there are many historical monuments. There are nice hot springs near the school. T: It takes about 3.5 hours by train from Tokyo. Q: Speaking/Understanding Good Japanese. interested in their activities. Loves kids ! NICE/LM 05 Yonaguni 1 (Okinawa) ENVI/SOCI 2 vols. March to September Host organization is Yonaguni-Fureaihiroba, a local NPO working for animal conservation and local development through making advantage of these animals. There are native horses which faced to danger of extinction 30 years ago, but thanks to a lot of efforts for its conservation, the number of horses has become steady now. This NPO is trying not only keeping it but also making opportunities for people who would like to know about horses to do it. They organize horse riding for kids and disadvantaged people from in and outside of the island. W: Taking care of horses. Supporting horse riding events, introducing about their activities to visitors. S: Learning to take care of horses, studying about local environment. A: A house in their field. Meals are often provided. Pocket money of 20,000 yen per month L: An island which is located in most west part of Japan. About 500km from Okinawa island. T: Okinawa(takes 20 hours by ferry, 1hour by airplane) Q: Speaking good Japanese, strong motivation for the program. Experience of similar types of work is welcome! NICE/LM 06 Hinode (Tokyo) MENT 2 vol. March to September Host organization is Hinode Taiyo no Ie, Home for mentally disadvantaged, that is isolated from the local community since locals were afraid & against to its construction 12 years ago. We have been creating a "bridge" between locals & Home by workcamps, where locals join the events for international exchange through which they meet disadvantaged and removing prejudice step by step. Taiyo no ie promotes volunteer activities among youth and you will become a Key person to achieve it. W: Coordinating individual/ group volunteers, assisting other staffs to help the daily life and works of the mentally disadvantaged, management and maintaining of Samurai house, etc. S: Management of welfare facilities, mixture between social welfare and ecology. A: Single room of Samurai house (very traditional Japanese house) where meals are often provided (No vegetarian!) Pocket money of 30,000 yen per month L: Mountain side with natural surroundings, about 50 km west of Tokyo. T: Tokyo (90 min by slow train) Q: Speaking good Japanese, strong motivation for the host. Experience of similar types of work is welcome! - 13 - Middle term Workcamps NICE/MWC01 Ichikai (Tochigi) ENVI/ AGRI/ SOCI 4vols. From March to 3 or 6 months This is the second year that we organize Middle term workcamp in Ichikai in the same place with LM/02 Ichikai.. The host organization is Monyongoro village, a group home, where mentally disadvantaged live and work together. This group is not only working for social works but also community planning, promoting organic farming and for the environment. In addition to these main works, they organize variety of events and projects, like African library, cartoon library facilities they have. Through these activities they aim to develop and maintain the kindest village in world. This year we are going to organize new project for these people who are so called N.E.E.T(Not in Employment, Education or Training) This is a big social problem in Japan that the number of youth who do not want to work or who cannot work has been increasing rapidly. They have many different reasons to become N.E.E.T, no motivation to work, mental problem, spoiled, hardship of communication with others, bad situation of employment… etc. We empower them for their better life through this workcamp. About 10 Japanese youth will be involved in this workcamp. W: Organic farming (planting, weeding, cultivating, harvesting, to make organic vegetables blue-berry, reviving abandoned rice fields). Forest works (cutting grasses, branches and trees). Constructing a new building for volunteers, Empowering NEET youth (Communication with them, they can get confidence by the experiences of communicating foreign people.), Taking care of disadvantaged people and making good communication with local people. A: Building of the village. Pocket money of 10,000 yen per month. S: About GROUP HOME in your country. Communication between home and area. Bring some info. L: Agricultural countryside, about 100 km north of Tokyo. The population is about 12,000. T: From Tokyo, about 3 hours by train and bus Q: Speaking some Japanese, interested in social works (especially youth issue), cooperative, kind and open mind. NICE/MWC02 KIKUCHI (Kumamoto) ENVI/AGRI 10 vols. From Sep. to Nov. ( 80 days) The date will be fixed later We have succeeded to organize International Middle term workcamp in 2004 for the first time here in Japan. We will try a Middle term workcamp this year again as third time! Though 70% of the Japanese land is covered by forests, it has been ruining since because of lack of management and people who engage forest works. Forestry is not popular among youth and aging of workers are one of the serious problems, and this situation is same there in Kikuchi. Also, there are many elder people who work at farms. We will support their works, too. We’ll mainly work in the forest and farms improve the situation there, animate local foresters and change the images of forest works and agricultural works better. To animate the local community, we will also help local formers, join local events, etc. We make use of the merits of long time and group work best. W: 1) Forest works like cutting trees, grasses, constructing and maintaining trails in community forests. 2) Helping local farmers like harvesting vegetables, cultivating, etc. 3) We’ll also organize volunteer events which could involve many local people. A: A building in the center.. You may share a room with others. Cooked by yourselves by turns. L: Kikuchi is located in Kyushu island and near the border of Kumamoto, Oita and Fukuoka. 1 hour from Kumamoto city by bus. Kikuchi is famous for hot springs and its nature beauty. T: Fukuoka (1.5 hours by car). From Osaka, 6 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus. Q: Interested in environmental issues and agriculture. Motivation to work hard, open mind, cooperation with others. - 14 - Project 4: Weekend Workcamps 1) What are Weekend Workcamps? * Voluntary service program for 1-3 days in centers for social welfare, environmental NGOs, etc. * In many cases, working in the partner organizations of international workcamps. * The numbers each time are 5-20 mainly of NICE members though non-members are also welcome! * Planed and organized by voluntary teams of NICE members in each project 2) Why are Weekend Workcamps organized ? a) To promote continuous and flexible voluntary works to improve the local activities b) To provide opportunities for volunteers to learn/ enjoy local life and to exchange with people c) To activate not only hosts, but also local communities especially in depopulated areas d) To provide stages for members to realize their dreams by planing and organizing easier projects 3) Who can apply? General qualifications are same as international workcamps (See Page 5). 4) How can I apply and how much? You can apply DIRECTLY to NICE (the project leaders). There is no application form. For the program info. and the contact phone or e-mail address of the project leaders, a) The best way may be to check our web. But unfortunately we provide info. there only in Japanese language, but you can still try to find friends who can read it. b) Or if you know any member of NICE, ask her/ him since s/he get it through our monthly newsletter. c) Otherwise, you can also call NICE office (please avoid e-mails since the info. are a bit complicated to explain by writing and updated quite often) especially when you are in Japan. * The participation fee is usually 2,000 - 3,000 yen for food and accommodation per one night. * There is no salary nor pocket money paid. * Travel cost to/ from the projects have to be paid by volunteers by themselves. * We usually do NOT provide any insurance except for NICE members. 5) Where and When needed ? * We have projects most of all weekends somewhere all through the year. * Majority is held in/ around Tokyo/ Osaka. * The project is often planned 1-2 months before. * Many of them are held in the same places and with the same local partners as international workcamps. See the list of Page 6. The followings are just examples; * We also put the English program info. on our web. though it sometimes cannot be updated quickly… A) Playing with kids in Koyama orphanage , every months B) Maintaining Greening Asia Forests in Tanzawa , every two months C) Maintaining NICE Forest in Tondabayashi , every month D) Organizing school education programs in/ around Tokyo, 3-4 times a year E) Protecting sea turtles and wild birds in Hamamatsu, 3-4 times a year F) Helping to run the summer festival in Iida around 15th Aug. You are also welcome to join our Pre-Workcamps (Training Weekend Workcamps for Japanese volunteers who will join international workcamps abroad/ in Japan). Program: Voluntary works, cooking, games, discussions, orientation, etc. Speaking ONLY English! Dates: Almost every weekend between mid. June and late July. Also, early Feb. Places: Near Tokyo/ Yokohama, Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya - 15 - Project 5: Group Workcamps - Let's organize together! ++What? Workcamps organized for specific groups like schools, NGOs, companies, governments. The contents (types of works, places, periods, finance, types/ numbers of volunteers, etc.) just depend on the needs of the groups and hosts. ++How? ++Who? 1) Sending org. makes draft plan with a group. 2) Sending org. propose it to hosting org. 3) Hosting org. finds the local partners, modify the plan with them and answer to sending org. 4) Hosting & sending org. make an agreement. * There can be the other way that hosts plan first and then, we try to find the group. Volunteers of the sending or both sides are recruited as a group (not individually from different routes) though there are two cases that all members of the groups automatically join and some of the groups do optionally. Usually, workcamp organizations in both sides plan/ organize together and provide each leader. It is also possible to do by 3 (or more) countries! There are huge demands to input workcamp elements (voluntary works and collective life) in (mostly, existing) programs in the society such as school/ company trips, training of new workers, seminars and language classes. We need to have good training/ preparation especially for those who were not so motivated in the beginning, but then why not to improve those programs by utilizing our know-how and networks for the better world! And we can involve new kinds of people who never apply alone or have no opportunities where else. This can also be fund raining project if the group can use a lot of money for it! ++Why? 1) 8 days in Apr. since 02 near Sydney in Australia where 15 students of the vocational school worked in the aboriginal community 2) 6 days in Aug. 04 & 05 in the wild bird park of Tokyo, Japan with 12 physically challenged people from US as a part of their 3 weeks stay 3) 4 days in Jul. 04 in Mongolia where 70 adult workers from Osaka, Japan worked in the farm and built a house for the orphanage. 4) 14 days in Aug. 04 & 05 in Semarang, Indonesia where 15 medical univ. students do medical service for the street children 5) 3 days in Apr. 05 in Yamanashi, Japan where 500 university students including 100 foreigners cleaned the lake as a part of internship program ++Examples! So, we want to hear from you; 1) Are you interested to do it with us!? 2) Do you have any possible local hosts? If so, where, who and what kind of works? 3) Do you have any possible groups to Japan? If so, what kind of groups and plans? Please don't hesitate to contact to; Miwa: GW@nice1.gr.jp & Kai: nice@nice1.gr.jp ++When? As above mentioned, just up to agreements on both sides (hosts and coming groups). It can be any time & length of a year. Anywhere if the groups & the hosts like! We can also host your groups in Japan. ++Where? - 16 - Project 6: Greening Foster Parents This is one of the biggest activities in Greening Asia (common action to protect forests) by NVDA (Network for Voluntary Development in Asia)! 1) Aims; a) Green Japanese forests by reviving native trees b) Green Asian forests through the partnership with Asian NGOs of international voluntary projects c) Green people’s mind by asking them to grow the seedlings 2) Activities and main results; a) Green Foster parents of the seeds In 99, international vols. collected the seeds from Tanzawa mountains where more native trees are needed ecologically and asked 1,300 "parents" to grow them in their houses, companies, schools, etc. for two years. Till now we have planted over 300 of trees they grown and have taken care of these baby trees. We will re-start this project with different seeds from this year. b) Greening Asia Fund This Fund consists of donations, support from sponsoring foundations and fund raising. We have collected about 4,000 US$ and used partly to planting tree workcamps in Fiji in 2002and Mongolia in 2002-2005. Partner NGOs in Asia are NVDA members who are used to plant trees and capable to maintain them after the plantation. Project 7: Other activities NICE organizes many kinds of other activities mainly by its members! 7-1) Bracelet Project This is to decrease child prostitution. The team organize workshops in schools, workcamps, etc. to study the issue and to make bracelets to be sold in the festivals, etc. The sales are used to support a NGO in Cambodia working on it. group of foster families, events of specialized NGOs, etc. as well as studying the issue deeply. 7-5) Actions for refugees There are very fewer refugees in Japan than Europe, but they are treated quite badly, so the team organize some events for raising public awareness, visit their “prisons”, play football games with them, study the issues, etc. 7-2) Sister School Project This is to promote cultural understanding and exchange among students internationally. The project team has visited elementary schools in Japan and Bangladesh since 2003 to introduce each culture/ schools and make gifts to each other. 7-6) Promotion of acrylic sponge This is to decrease water pollution by acrylic sponges which can wash dishes without using soaps. The camp leaders make and use them in their projects and other members promote it when they join projects abroad and in their daily life. 7-3) Smile Book This is to show that there are various types of life & happiness in the world. The team collects children’s smiling pictures, their daily schedules and comments for their future dreams, etc. with whom our vols. have met during the workcamps. The team finally plans to publish a book. 7-7) Organizing school lessons A staff runs 3 kinds of classes related to voluntary service in one university regularly. Another team organize various kinds of programs (environmental/ cultural education, promoting volunteerism, etc.) in elementary schools. 7-4) Actions for child abuse This is one of most serious social problems in Japan and the team has organized international/ weekend workcamps to help the orphanages, a - 17 -