Family project has been realized! A miracle mountain village that can only be reached on foot, healthy organic farming ☆

International Workcamp　　Maki 2（Nagono）　8/19～8/25

Work camp information
Code NICE-21-0819A
Project name Maki 2
Location Nagano,Japan
Periond 8/19～8/25
Type Agriculture,Manual Work
Volunteers 10 menbers (Who live in Japan now.)
Background This project is actively working for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDGs 10 (Reduced Inequalities), organized together with Kyodo Gakusha since 2000, a cooperative community where about people with various backgrounds such as mentally disadvantaged, people who are tired of city life, who wants to learn farming, just want to live in the nature, etc. They have 5 communities in Tokyo, Nagano and Hokkaido and grow animals and vegetables in ecological, organic way with utilizing bacterium and charcoal. Maki Farm has about 10 members (including 2 families with small children!) and is in a very isolated area (not accessible for cars and we have to walk 4 km in the mountains), so once it became an abandon village in 1970s and revived by the community. As more people, incl. ex. volunteers, want to join the family workcamps, the host has decided to organize it for their first time! *Outcome of this workcamp: In 2020, 8 vols. greatly contributed to harvest of popatoes, renovation of irrigation, etc. that were difficult to be done only by the farm since they are busy for the daily routine work! There was also nice exchange between Community people and vols.
Work Volunteers will help their organic farm by weeding in the rice and vegetable fields, planting vegetables, taking care of goats and chicken and also renovate the trails and the traditional house, help their house works such as cooking, washing, carrying the stuffs from the down village. Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and hard. Kids may sometimes be separated to plan in the nature with care of some adults.
Location Very isolated, but beautiful place near “Japanese Northern Alps”. About 900 meters asl. There is something remained here that most of Japanese areas have lost in modernization.
The nearest international airport is Tokyo. From Tokyo to the meeting point near the project, it takes 5 hours by express bus. Volunteers need to arrive at the airport in Tokyo (Narita or Haneda) by 04:00 on Aug. 19 and can leave there after 24:00 on Aug. 25.
Accommodation Building for the volunteers in the farm. Very beautiful cultural heritage! Meals will be cooked by volunteers together with the community people by turns. Sleeping bag is not necessary.
Map
Recruitment information

▼　Recruitment information

Voices of planners and participants Good points: The food is delicious. I was able to meet old Japanese culture. Self-sufficient life and good points: The food is delicious. I was able to meet old Japanese culture. I was interested in self-sufficient life and ancient Japanese architecture. The water from the river was very good. I'm glad I had independence because my job was a candidacy system. I was able to talk from the bottom of my heart around the hearth at night.
Difficulties: Simple work was difficult. The mountain road was tight. Some people wanted to devour. The independence was good, but the work was biased by people.
Other activities Exchange program, Excursion on a free day (possibly to Hakuba, a famous tourism spot), etc.
Other [Maki Farm]
Documentary film closely related here "People of Arayashiki"was screened in various places in 2015 and is very popular! The number of visitors has also increased rapidly.
Click here for the files announced by the 2019 participants at the International Volunteer Awards.
Requirement Only families (Children should be 6-12 years old) can join this program. Basically, up to 3 persons (1-2 kids) per family. Parents volunteers need to be physically strong and flexible to respect the way of the local host. Motivation letter is needed!
Charm ＊You can experience a safe farming life!
＊You can learn the community and help!
Total cost
What is included in the participation fee

Participation fee (domestic) (Click to see table for details *Japanese only.)

《Free for Accommodation and Food》
The venue usually provides free transportation and equipment necessary for accommodation, meals and work during the participation period. Please do not assume that you will be provided with accommodation and meals for the amount you paid.
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.
Tickets will be arranged by yourself.

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.）
○Expenses for free time during the participation period（Fee for transportation, sweets, alchol drinks, souvenirs, admission, etc. Usually it is about several thousand yen.）