This summer has been chock full of fun days hanging out with kids from the area. In early August we held an overnight camp at Tsuji house and around ten kids participated. We explored the vegetable fields, went swimming in the river, ate a gigantic pot of Japanese curry cooked over the wood fire and ended the evening with songs, thanks to Hanno and Faye. The next day the kids made pinwheels out of plastic bottles, swam some more, and painted an awesome "thank you" sign together before going home.
Next we held a day camp for our English school. The kids arrived and began stretching out balls of pizza dough and topping them which we then baked in our bread oven-- a total of 40. Then, WWOOFers paired up with the kids for a treasure hunt, we played a big game of hide and seek, and took a walk up the valley to visit the goats. We came back to the house to cool off a bit before digging in to some curry, followed by music around the campfire and fireworks.
Today's event centered around playing in the river and a curious contest devised by Seth. The kids teamed up with the WWOOFers to make a balloon-powered vehicle out of plastic bottles. Attached to the bottle is a sharp pin, as well as a drinking straw through which you thread a string. Letting the air out of the balloon propels the bottle along the string, hopefully to the pop the balloon at the end of the line. Got it?
What made these events unique was the interaction between the kids and the WWOOFers. It was great to see the kids playing and working together with foreigners and having a great time, despite the language, culture, and age barriers. I loved seeing the faces of the WWOOFers as they remembered how incredibly fun it is to get silly with kids. I loved seeing the faces of the kids as they took on new challenges with gusto and did things well outside their daily routines. These events were truly symbiotic! Good vibes all around. I'm already looking forward to next time.
Nou En (from the Japanese characters for "Agricultural Help", 農援) is a project aimed at providing our rural Japanese community with agricultural help while providing people from around the world with the opportunity to live and learn together.
Nou-En
In rural Japan, as in many areas around the world, small communities are suffering from rapid population decline as young people flock to the cities. A self perpetuating cycle develops in which rural communities lose their youth to entertainment and work opportunities in the city, which cripples the local economy by leaving behind small towns and villages lacking an able workforce.
Here in Sasayama, Hyogo Prefecture, the evidence of this can be easily seen on any walk or bike ride around the valley. In some villages more than half of the houses are vacant. Many fields have been abandoned and have begun the rapid transition back to a more natural state. Elementary schools with great facilities are being forced to close due to low enrollment. At our local elementary school this year's First Grade class has three students. Village elders possess a lifetime of priceless skills and knowlege that is not being passed on because of a lack of interested youth. Looking forward in time, it is worrisome to imagine the state of these communities if current trends continue.
Seeing these things, we here at Nou En have been motivated to work for positive change. Our aim is to encourage young people from around the world to return to rural communities. We organize enthusiastic volunteers (mostly through the WWOOF organization, http://www.wwoofjapan.com) to help local farmers in exchange for healthy food and invaluable local knowlege. We network and assist local organic farms with vegetable and rice production on a regular basis. We try to enthusiastically jump in and help local villagers whenever we can. In addition to these projects, we also have our own fields and gardens as well as chickens and goats that we care for.
Because part of our aim is encouraging people to want to live in the country side we also take time to enjoy the benefits of country living. We go hiking in the surrounding mountains, swimming in ponds and streams (especially during the hot humid Japanese summer!), barbecues with friends on weekends, kendo lessons at the local gymnasium and much more.
Seeing these things, we here at Nou En have been motivated to work for positive change. Our aim is to encourage young people from around the world to return to rural communities. We organize enthusiastic volunteers (mostly through the WWOOF organization, http://www.wwoofjapan.com) to help local farmers in exchange for healthy food and invaluable local knowlege. We network and assist local organic farms with vegetable and rice production on a regular basis. We try to enthusiastically jump in and help local villagers whenever we can. In addition to these projects, we also have our own fields and gardens as well as chickens and goats that we care for.
Because part of our aim is encouraging people to want to live in the country side we also take time to enjoy the benefits of country living. We go hiking in the surrounding mountains, swimming in ponds and streams (especially during the hot humid Japanese summer!), barbecues with friends on weekends, kendo lessons at the local gymnasium and much more.
Mostly we try to provide a communal living environment where we work, learn, and grow together, all while striving to benefit and elevate the local community.
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