Volunteer in Niigata

-Disaster reconstruction and regional development assistance-

On October 23 2004, the Great Chu-Etsu Earthquake devastated Niigata prefecture.

To respond to the emergency, JEN has been conducting earthquake disaster reconstruction and regional development projects in the city of Tokamachi. 

In the winter, JEN recruits snow removal volunteers.  Between spring and autumn, JEN sends farm work volunteers to Tokamachi.

JEN has been sending farm work volunteers to Iketani settlement in Tokamachi.  Iketani is a beautiful rice terrace village, but has a serious depopulation problem.  The assistance of farm work by volunteers from all over Japan will help, not only reconstruct earthquake damages, but also revitalize the region. 

Volunteers will stay at the Iketani branch school, which was repaired in 2005 by volunteers and residents, after having been closed for 20 years.

Iketani is beautiful and a region full of nature、Join us and have a great experience!

■Date：

* Thank you for your interest. This year's volunteer sessions are over.  We will soon kick off JEN Snowbusters 2007!!*

May 2(Tue), 2006 – May 6(Sat)     (4 days and 5 nights)

May 19(Fri), 2006 – May 21(Sun)  (2 days and 3 nights)

June 2(Fri), 2006 – June 4(Sun)      (2 days and 3 nights) 

July 14(Fri), 2006 – July 17(Mon, holiday)

                                                            (3 days and 4 nights)

Aug. 4(Fri), 2006 – Aug. 6(Sun)    (2 days and 3 nights)

Sep. 22(Fri), 2006 – Sep. 24(Sun)    (2 days and 3 nights)

Sep. 29(Fri), 2006 – Oct. 1(Sun)    (2 days and 3 nights)

Oct. 6(Fri), 2006 – Oct. 9(Mon, holiday)      

                                                            (3 days and 4 nights)         

Nov. 2(Thu), 2006 – Nov. 5(Sun)  (3 days and 4 nights)

※Please bear the cost of the traffic expenses to the field.

※You can participate by car. (Helping to drive the other participants is welcomed)

■Meeting Place/Breakup Place：Tokamachi city, Hokuhoku Line, Tokamachi Station’s Gate. (Hokuhoku Line’s west exit, JR Line’s east exit)

※If traveling by car, please park in the parking place of west or east exit and come to the Hokuhoku Line’s Gate.

You can see the time table of Hokuhoku Line　 http://www.hokuhoku.co.jp

■Meeting Time：19:30 of each start date

■Breakup Time：12:00 of each end date

※The times may be changed.

■Activities：Clean up Iketani branch school, repair the farm road, plant and harvest rice, cut grass, prepare and participate in events like harvest festival, develop relationships with local residents. Communal lodging at Iketani branch school.

※The activities may be changed, according to the weather or other conditions.

■Maximum of 15 Participants /each

■Participation Fee：2 days and 3 nights /\6,000、3 days and 4 nights /\7,000、4 days and 5 nights /\8,000 (including food cost. Please cook in rotations) (First day, dinner will not be provided.)

■What to bring： Sleeping bag、dustcloth (for cleaning up branch school)、cotton gloves（non-slippery）、long boots (for rice-farming work)、long sleeve shirt、cap、mask (for dusting)、rain coat、etc.

※Please ask if you need boots and sleeping bag rental.

■Deadline of application：Until spaces are filled.

■How to Apply：Please contact us via telephone or Email. We will provide you with an application form.

JEN Tokyo, Niigata project officer TEL：03-5225-9352 E-mail：info@jen-npo.org Web: www.jen-npo.org

※Niigata project is operated by Niigata cooperation of Tokamachi-shi regional development executive committee.