Aizu Wakamatsu | NICE-24L-AI04 | 2024-03-09 - 2025-02-09 | SOCI,CHIL,EDUC | Age: 18 - 99

This project is actively working for SDGs 1 (no poverty) and SDGs 4 (Quality Education), organized together with a local NPO, Terakoya Hojosha that aims to create a diverse learning environment that places children at the center and aims to promote children s participation in society. Their mission is to support Children s participation in society and create a happy future for children. A characteristic of the learning at Terakoya Hojosya is that it attends to children s interests. The aim to create a happy future with children, each and every one of whom is important. In their all projects, it is importance on approving and affirming children and fostering a sense of self-affirmation, which is the children s energy, through their connections with others.

Work: Volunteers will support to prepare, run and follow up the Kodomo Shokudo (Children s cafeteria) that provides meals for free or at a low price to the children including those in the low income families. It also provides the assist the homework and the subject learning for about 15 primary and junior high school students, so the volunteers will help their homework and crafts as well as cook the lunch and dinner together. Thus, they will also assist the activities with out-of-school children (e.g. supporting children, organizing event).

Accomodation and food: Shared rooms in accommodation owned by the organization. It is different place with activity place. Men and women separated room. Cooking by yourself. Staffs also stay at the facility. No wifi in the accommodation (but there is wifi in activity place).

Location: Fukushima

Location and Leisure: Aizu Wakamatsu city is called Samurai city. It is located in the eastern part of the Aizu region of Fukushima prefecture. It is the central city of Aizu region, surrounded by rich nature, including Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro and blessed with natural scenery. The organization is located in an area with an atmosphere of Taisho era Romanticism. Winter season (Dec.-Mar.) is quite cold, so vols. need to bring warm cloths. Join the local events, many opportunities to learn the local wisdom, etc. Sightseeing, short trip (hot springs, castle, famous places here).

Train/Bus station: The nearest airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 5 hours by train and bus to the meeting point in Fukushima pref. Volunteers need to join On Arrival and Evaluation Seminars in Yokohama, so firstly should arrive at Tokyo airport by 08:00 on the starting day and can leave Tokyo airport after 18:00 on the ending day.

Requirements: Motivation letter is needed! Volunteers need to have some Japanese speaking skill (manage to have basic daily conversation), respect to the local culture and way of the local organization, positive attitude to communicate with children, being Interested alternative school, children s social patriation and child poverty, high motivation to work hard, open mind, cooperation with others.

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 135000 JPY

Volunteers will get knowledge of alternative school, children's social participation, child poverty in Japan.