This project is actively working for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDGs 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) organized by NICE itself for the first time.
In 2011-13, the old couple (Kuroda san) kindly rent a traditional house in their land by free to NICE for it office in Osaka, through the connection of the environmental group in this city with which NICE has been co-organizing workcamps to protect satoyama forests since 1999. A staff and a few LTVs lived there to do the daily work and also to maintain the bamboo forest next to the house. Then, the office was moved to Osaka city and the husband passed away, but this year, the wife decided to donate it to NICE to be used as its office again with expectation to create space for local people incl. elders to gather and enjoy exchange. Therefore, NICE decided to recruit long term residents. Together with NICE, let's work on activities to liven up the community with free and colorful ideas.
Volunteers will mainly 1) Help the work of NICE in the western part of Japan such as Public Relations (Creating short movies of workcamps and spread through SNS and mass media), Organizing promotion events and weekend workcamps, Coordinating the workcamps in the western part of Japan as a camp leader together with NICE and the local hosts and Hosting the training seminars of NICE volunteers. They will also 2) Renovate/ maintain the house and the surroundings and 3) Organize various types of gathering for the local people incl. elders (e.g., just chatting with tea, taking care of small kids to support the parents, organizing international culture/ language classes).
Motivation letter is needed! Good Japanese speaking skill (can have daily conversation well). High motivation to learn and speak Japanese language and to work hard with enjoying the simple and collective life. Respect for the local culture and way of the local organization. High interests in environment and community issues as well as the management of International Voluntary Service NGO. Open mind and flexibility.
NICE House West. Single room can be provided if the number of the residents are not many. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns.
70 nationalities are exempted to get visa within 3-6 months stay! So, only those who are from other countries or those who will stay for a longer time will need to get visa.
Check the updated info. at this site (https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page22e_000921.html#section2) and this site (https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html) of MOFA, Japanese embassies and any others.
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18,000 JPY (110 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) per month till the 3rd month and 9,000 JPY per month from the 4th month of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal.
This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Odd days are counted as one month (e.g., 170 days are counted as 6 months).
-Study theme
Volunteers will get knowledge of conservation work in a forest, management of Non-Profitable Organization in Japan, etc.
-Other activities
Exchange parties, experiencing Japanese culture, home stay, etc.
- Location
Tondabayashi city is located in Osaka prefecture, 60km south of Osaka city. The house is surrounded by many old houses and a bamboo forest.
-Terminal
The nearest airport is Osaka (KIX). It will take about 1.5 hours by train to the accommodation. On Arrival/ Evaluation Seminars will be most likely held in this project place, so volunteers should arrive at KIX by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave KIX after 18:00 on the ending day.
-Language
English and Japanese
-Other
We can open the place for international volunteers ONLY IF we already have a Japanese volunteer or resident in the same period.
- Find a project that interests you in our Open Projects
- Find your local organisation in your country of residence using our branch locator
- Get in touch with them with details about the project(s) you want to apply to. They will become your sending organisation.
- Any issues? Contact us!
