NICE (Never-ending International workCamps Exchange)
+ NGO/ NPO to organize workcamps and other voluntary projects
+ Vice-President of CCIVS at UNESCO and President of NVDA
Messages & Policies of NICE to the Eastern Japanese Earthquake
Revive the countryside and beautiful village by maintenance of the fields.
International Workcamp Ozuchi 1（Ishikawa） 2/3～2/9
| Code | NICE-21-0203A |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Ozuchi 1 |
| Location | Kaga,Ishikawa |
| Period | 2/3～2/9 |
| Type | 環境・文化 |
| Volunteers | 6 members |
| Background | This project is actively working for SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and organized together with Shizentaiken Ozuchi Mura (SOM) since 2013. There were 140 inhabitants with 20 houses in 1916, but This village had become abandoned and one of the former villagers (Founder of SOM) was manitaining the terraced rice fields alone from his home in the town. 10 houses are still remained and the area was designated as Nation's Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings. SOM tries to improve this situation by young voluntary power. *Outcome of this workcamp: Vols. have been greatly contributing to maintain the fields and the forest path, to organize the culture exchange events for local children and to exchange ideas for improvement regional development. But such workcamps working together, the founder of SOM has got so empowered that he started living there again with his old mother since 2018! Please see the presentation made by the volunteer for the IVS contest in Japan; https://www.slideshare.net/nice-workcamp/2017e2 (only Japanese for the moment, but you can at least enjoy the pictures!) |
| Work | Main work is removing snow and clean us the traditional renovated house. And also discuss and creat about this village eco tours! We possibly also support agriculture and do some other work for the community. |
| Location | The southwest part of Ishikawa prefecture. Ozuchi village is far from 30 minute from Kaga-onsen station.And surrounded by mountains, you can enjoy rich nature. Nearest Domestic terminal is "Komatsu". International airport is Osaka (Kansai) or Tokyo (Haneda/ Narita). From Osaka, 4 hours by express train. From Tokyo, 5 hours by express train/ 8 hours by highway night bus.(You need to arrive one day before) |
| Accommodation | Renovated house (traditional house!). Simple shower room. Clean toilet. Winter Sleeping bag is needed! Food will be cooked by volunteers. Wi-Fi and internet are fine. There is a cat. |
▼ Recruitment information
| Voices of planners and participants | "If you don't leave it now, the culture and buildings of this village will not remain. However, if people come here and experience the culture and nature, if people remember it, the village of the earth will remain. I wonder if it will go on. ”At one point, it was a marginal village with zero inhabitants. You can spend a wonderful time in the original scenery of Japan ☆ (NICE staff, in charge of Hokuriku) |
|---|---|
| Other activities | A night song that surrounds the hearth with the residents. Snow trekking to forests with zelkova and beech trees over 300 years old. There is also an opportunity to go to a hot spring. You can also enjoy a drum bath under the starry sky. |
| Requirement | High motivation to work hard,simple life in the isolated mountain area and respect to the local culture. |
| Charm | * Experience the very original scenery of Japan! * Let's think about how to leave the area together! |
| Other | [Ozuchi village FB] https://www.facebook.com/ozuchi/ ［ Interview article］https://kagagurashi.com/post-4842/ |
What is included in the participation fee
Participation fee (domestic) (Click to see table for details *Japanese only.) |
《Free for Accommodation and Food》 |
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What is NOT included in the participation fee
Transportation expenses |
Due to meeting and breaking up at the venue, you will need to use a train, bus, or plane to reach the meeting place by yourself. |
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Other personal expenses |
○ Free travel expenses before / after participation（Fee for transportation, food, accommodation, admission materials, etc. There is a big difference depending on the person.） |