ASIA - JAPAN-SCI, JAPAN-NICE, NEPAL, INDIA

Japan - SCI

LTV - Kanazawa Farm

Kanazawa Farm (Tochigi )

Theme of the project: Environment
Name: KANAZAWA FARM
Location: Yaita, Tochigi Prefecture
Work starts: 2006-10-02
Work ends: 2007-12-15
Application deadline: 2006-09-15
Decision date: 2006-09-18
Total number of volunteers 1

Ukiashi-sannso is a private organic farm in a rural area, 150 km east of Tokyo. Mrs.Kanazawa grows rice, vegetables, chickens for eggs and ducks for rice paddy weeding. As Mr.Kanazawa is often away from the farm to work as an organic agriculture inspector, she usually runs the farm alone. She is inviting volunteers to help her with farming and day-to-day housework. The volunteer is also expected to coordinate weekend workcamps and the international camp in August with Japanese vol. held at the farm. The volunteer should speak basic Japanese or at least is interested in learning Japanese to communicate with her as she does not speak English, and should be interested in organic farming and love animals. The life is very frugal and simple in the affluent and materialistic Japanese society.

Japan-NICE

Wakamono Jiritsujuku, Tochigi
Ichikai, Tochigi
Kikuchi, Kumamoto
Hinode, Tokyo

Wakamono Jiritsujuku
Theme of the project: Socially disadvantaged (homeless people, poverty etc.)
Location: Tochigi
Work starts 2006-10-02
Work ends: 2006-12-22
Application deadline: 2006-08-01
Decision date: 2006-08-15
Total number of volunteers 2
Project language: Japanese
Local language: Japanese

This is a governmental project (Wakamono-Jiritsujuku) for young 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. you will help to organize program and have your own works, like teaching English, language, etc. This is the second year that we organize Middle term workcamp in Ichikai in the same place with LM/02 Ichikai. We organize governmental project (Wakamono-Jiritsujuku) for young 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 situation, like no motivation to work, mental problem, spoiled, hardship of communication with others, bad social situation of employment, change of employment system… etc. We empower them for their better life through this 3 months program. About 10 Japanese youth will be involved in this program every term.
Work: 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.
Accommodation: In a building of the village. Pocket money of 10,000 yen per month.
Study: About GROUP HOME in your country. Communication between home and area. Bring some info.
Location: Agricultural countryside, about 100 km north of Tokyo. The population is about 12,000.
Terminal: From Tokyo, about 3 hours by train and bus
Qualification: Speaking some Japanese, interested in social works (especially youth issue), cooperative, kind and open mind. This is very difficult program, so we need your strong cooperation ! The maximum term is 3 months.

Ichikai
Location: Tochigi
Work starts: 2006-09-01
Work ends: 2007-12-01
Application deadline: 2006-07-20
Decision date: 2006-04-20
Total number of volunteers 2
Project language: Japanese
Local language: Japanese

The Kyodo Gakusha is a cooperative farm where people of different of background working and living together. Volunteers will support their daily life and works. 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. 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.
Work: 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.
Accommodation: Building of the village. You’ll share your room with other volunteer. There in NO pocket money.
Study: About GROUP HOME in your country. Communication between home and area. Bring some info.
Location: Agricultural countryside, about 100 km north of Tokyo. The population is about 12,000.
Terminal: From Tokyo, about 3 hours by train and bus
Qualification: 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)!

Kikuchi
Theme of the project: Environment
Location: Kumamoto
Work starts: 2006-09-10
Work ends: 2006-12-05
Application deadline: 2006-06-15
Decision date: 2006-07-01
Total number of volunteers 10
Project language: English
Local language: Japanese

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.
Work: 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.
Accommodation: A building in the center. You may share a room with others. Food cooked by yourselves by turns.
Location: 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.
Terminal: Fukuoka (1.5 hours by car). From Osaka, 6 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus.
Qualification: Interested in environmental issues and agriculture. Motivation to work hard, open mind, cooperation with others.

Hinode
Theme of the project: Disabilities
Location: Tokyo
Work starts: 2006-10-02
Work ends: 2007-02-28
Application deadline: 2006-08-10
Decision date: 2006-08-23
Total number of volunteers: 2
Project language: Japanese
Local language: Japanese

The host organization is Hinode Taiyo no Ie, home for mentally disadvantaged, that is isolated from the local community since locals were afraid and against it's construction 15 years ago. We have been creating a bridge between locals and the 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.
Work: 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.
Study: Management of welfare facilities, mixture between social welfare and ecology.
Accommodation: Single room of Samurai house (very traditional Japanese house) where meals are often provided. No vegetarian! Pocket money of 30,000 yen per month
Location: Mountain side with natural surroundings, about 50 km west of Tokyo.
Terminal: Tokyo (90 min by slow train)
Qualification: Speaking good Japanese, strong motivation for the host. Experience of similar types of work is welcome!

Nepal - SCI Népal

April 18, 2005: A special message for those interested in volunteering in Nepal-

Dear SCI Friends all over the world,

Since the placement season is going to kicking off very soon. SCI Nepal would like to give brief information about the political situation of Nepal to all branches/activists and for those volunteers who have decided to do camps in Nepal and also who are yet to make decision. We are very much concern about providing credible information to our volunteers.

The political situation in Nepal?
Nepal is currently undergoing the most painful period in its history. you may have heard about the Maoist movement and its People’s War, a local armed opposition group of people that wish to take over the power in order to set up communist government rule in Nepal. It has been going on for many years with bursts of activity and then periods of peaceful time. There has been occasional pause to the CEASEFIRE between Maoists rebels and Government ended last time in August 2003. Thereafter, The violent activities continued. This has lead to additional travel warnings by foreign Governments, who are required to keep their citizens up to date.
The Maoists movement is strong in the Far Western, Where it all started, part of Nepal however you can see Maoist conflict in many parts of Nepal. Their aim is to change the way Nepal is run as a country. They have been fighting with government since March 1996. As international conflict is going on many countries around the world and Nepal too could not escape from it. And it is notable that NO harm is made to any tourist/volunteer who visit Nepal.
SCI Nepal is very much concern about the current political situation. SCI Nepal is non- profit, non-governmental and non-political organisation. We do not take any sides on the ongoing political conflict in Nepal. However, We are deeply trouble with the massive human rights violations by those involve in conflict. We are also disturbed by the state of emergency imposed by government of Nepal after the ROYAL TAKE OVER on February first 2005.We do not believe that WAR can be the best solution to our problem. As a peace Organisation, we believe that all differences can be solved with peaceful dialogue between conflicting parties. Moreover, We also hope that Peace, Development, Democracy, and Fundamental Rights of the people will resume very soon. SCI Nepal like to urge to both party involved in conflict to take immediate action to restore peace and stability.

How safe is it to volunteer in Nepal?
We are seriously working hard to ensure that SCI Volunteers are placed in safe environments while volunteering. SCI Nepal normally works with our recognised local groups in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Kavre district. Where SCI Nepal does not have group, we are working with our partner organisations like local clubs, NGOs and communities. We take extra precaution while selecting the projects with our local partner organisation. Therefore, We always make timely and wide research before selecting the camp sites.
The volunteer program has run for several years now, at times there was a conflict and travel warning in place. Volunteers that have still traveled to Nepal during a travel warning have never had to leave the program early due to any danger. Volunteers are always placed safely.
When traveling independently, as some volunteers like to trek, we do recommend that you talk to local people about areas where it may not be advisable to go due to Maoist activities. We recommend that you research this further and get up to date information. There are some of our well experienced members who do trekking in different region. Please contact SCI Nepal office if you need any advise.

Where does SCI Nepal have its project?
To avoid any kind of trouble to our volunteers (long term or short term) and, sustainability of our project, we have decided to have international Volunteer project only around Kathmandu valley and outskirts. Currently, we are having camps in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan, and Kavre. Our research team is undertaking some research to do new project outside Kathmandu valley. We hope that by the end of year 2005 we will be having new projects in new districts.

After the arrival of Volunteers
SCI Nepal remains in constant contact with our volunteers and project host upon arrival of our volunteers in Nepal. SCI Nepal would request to all volunteers to register with your country's embassy/consulate. If there were to be an extreme emergency, your embassy would be able to help with evacuation.
If you have any concerns about traveling to Nepal we are happy to put you in touch with volunteers who are currently in country and have done volunteer work in Nepal recently.

After the Volunteer work- Tourism in Nepal
Despite, the conflict situation in Nepal. The tourism history of Nepal has proved that no untoward incident has taken place aiming at the tourists. An exciting walk (Trekking) on the mountain is still possible in Nepal. Numbers of tourist go to trekking in and around Nepal every day. During the visit of volunteers in Nepal they have ample opportunities to wander with typical culture, natural beauties and historical heritage sights. One could even enjoy innumerable activities such as trekking, rafting, elephant safari, paragliding, bungee jumping and many more and encounter with the absolute natural beauty to experience to experience the actual taste of wonderful life.

Warm Regards
Gyanendra Prajapati
General Secretary
SCI Nepal

LTV - English Teacher For Buddhist Nun
LTV - Teaching English, Banepa
LTV - Pax Language Center, Panauti

Nepal-English Teacher For Buddhist Nun
Theme of the project: Art, culture, local history
Location: Chovar, 8 km southwest of Kathmandu
Work starts: 2006-08-15     Work ends: 2006-09-15
Application deadline: 2006-07-10 Decision date: 2006-07-12
Total number of volunteers: 1
Project language: English
Local language: English

Nepal-Sulachhan Kirti Monastery is one of the Buddhist Monastery where SCI places volunteers regularly. Laura from SCI Catalonia is at present working at MTV in this project. and she will finish her work in the beginning of September.
Sulachhan Kirti Monastery is one of the Buddhist Monasteries based in Chovar, Kathmandu and needs one female volunteer to teach English Language to Buddhist Nuns living in the monastery. The working hours can be negotiated later. However, The Language teaching takes around 1 to 2 hours every day. The volunteer can also help in the chores of the monastery for example in the maintenance of monastery garden, cleaning and furnishing of the monastery. There is a meditation session every day. Two times a month, a special gathering takes place when 150-200 people gather in the monastery. Volunteer can also participate in these monastery activities if she wishes and other activities as well.
Registration Fee: 200 Euro for three month. For support of the general administration and coordination and other activities of SCI Nepal

Nepal-Teaching English - Banepa

Theme of the project: North South solidarity
Work starts: 2006-07-31 Work ends: 2006-03-20
Application deadline: 2006-06-30 Decision date: 2006-07-03
Total number of volunteers 1
Project language: English

Location: Chakra Jyoti Lower Secondary School, Bhaisepati, Banepa, Kavre. 28 Km south east of Kathmandu city center. There are regular buses to and from Kathmandu. It will take an hour to get from Kathmandu from the school. The nearest city is Banepa where volunteer will be staying.
Description of Project: Chakra Jyoti School is public school situated outsite Kathmandu valley. It is run by the government direct support such as 8 teachers are supported by the government. There are 6 female and 2 male teachers in the school. There are 205 students studying at this school and most of the children are from very poor family and lower caste group. They are coming from near by three villages namely Bhaisepati, Mahendra and Nasika VDC.
Work: Volunteer will be teaching English for the grade 5-7. The age of the children are between 8-13. you will have to teach as per the school curriculum. however volunteers creative ideas and new methods of teaching are always welcome. You can also use games and other creative activity for effective teaching.
Volunteer will be working 4-5 hour per day. You will however have to agree with school principal before starting the lessons. The school managements are very flexible.
Food/Accommodation: Private house
Registration Fee: 200 Euro for three month. For support of the general administration and coordination and other activities of SCI Nepal.

Nepal-Pax Language Center, Panauti
Theme of the project: Children, teenagers, elderly people
Location: Panauti (small historical town 32 km southeast of Kathmandu)
Work starts: 2006-07-31 Work ends: 2006-09-02
Application deadline: 2006-06-26 Decision date: 2006-06-29
Total number of volunteers: 2
Project language: English
Local language: English

Nepal-Pax Language training is education opportunity for disadvantaged children. Pax Language Center is the one of the projects of SCI Nepal aimed at providing basic language training to SCI members and local youths in the Kavre, Panauti. The language course is basically aimed at young women who have finished their high school and remain at home. Previously, Italian volunteer has successfully finished the English Language course for 8 months. Before this, one Belgian volunteer taught Basic French for three months. There is currently Beatriz from SCI Catalonia working on this project. He will leave the project mid May 2006.

India - SCI