Volunteers will cut down trees in the forest and carry them out so that SATOYAMA forest can keep healthy condition for biodiversity. For work, volunteers need to use blades and sometimes machineries with lecture how to use. Work is quite hard from morning to evening even in rain if it's not so heavy. Sometimes, we may interact with mentally challenged people who work everyday for the same things as you will do.
Accomodation & food:
Volunteers will stay in a log house. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns.
Location & leisure:
Workcamp is held in Kami-mitani area, Nabari city, Mie prefecture, about 60 km from Osaka. There are famous falls nearby that many hikers visit.
Requirements:
Strong motivation and Physical strength are highly needed.
Volunteers will do various kinds of work such as maintenance of the bamboo forest around the Iwami Ginzan (cutting down trees and converting into chips), cutting grass in the local mountain to conserve biodiversity, visiting elementary schools to organize classes for international interact, playing sports with youths who are isolated from regular society, cleaning a river, etc.
Accomodation & food:
Public house where OGW's office is in. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns.
Location & leisure:
Oda city, Shimane prefecture. About 250 km north west of Osaka. Near the Sea of Japan
Volunteers will visit the elementary (age 6-12) / junior high (age 12-15) schools to run the English speaking classes and to organize inter-cultural exchange of play, music and dance of the world. Volunteers will also continue the last year's work to create and maintain the trail as well as walking around the area with taking pictures and having interviews to the local people.
Accomodation & food:
Public hall. Meals (attention: only vegan food is possible!) will be cooked by volunteers by turns. Sleeping bag is necessary.
Location & leisure:
Shinko district is located in the south west of Nagano city which is located in the north east of Nagano prefecture. The climate is colder than low land, so even in summer, it may be cool in the evening and morning. Rice and apples farming is the main industry.
Requirements:
High motivation to work with kids. Similar types of experience and Japanese speaking skill are welcome! Volunteers need to accept and enjoy vegan food.
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »
