What I see at JEN's office...

I come to the JEN office as a volunteer twice a week to help produce the English version of the website. Doing this I have come to learn and understand the work of JEN in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nigata and The Sudan. Watching the team members prepare to leave and begin a project in The Sudan left a big impression; the support and team effort of the entire office were evident and it made me realise just how important teamwork can be. I, along with the rest of the office, wished them all the best as they set off with rucksacks containing all they had to survive with over the next few months.

I observed the same mutual efforts and support as the JEN office busied itself to organise the stall for the recent Earth Day held in Tokyo. Collecting books for "Book Magic!", advertising and organising the volunteers were big jobs, moving the equipment and setting up the stall just as important! Teamwork was obvious again and I saw all members of the office participating in one way or another. 

Everyone has a smile and a greeting as I enter the JEN office, no matter how busy they are, it is because of this that I really enjoy coming here and being part of their team!  - Emily P

Snow Busters 2007

  Snow clearance volunteer and homestay in Niigata!

Let’s think about boosting the village economy.

■Date：

①Jan 19(Fri), 2007 – Jan 21(Sun)     (2 days and 3 nights)

②Jan 26(Fri), 2007 – Jan 28(Sun)     (2 days and 3 nights)

③Feb 2(Fri), 2007 – Feb 4(Sun)     (2 days and 3 nights)

④Feb 9(Fri), 2007 – Feb 11(Sun)     (2 days and 3 nights)

⑤Feb 16(Fri), 2007 – Feb 18(Sun)     (2 days and 3 nights)

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

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

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

■Accommodation: Homestay at houses in village of Iketani, Niigata

■Maximum of 8 Participants /each

■Participation Fee: 2 days and 3 nights (including 4 meals)/\6,000(First day, dinner will not be provided.)

■What to bring: gloves (waterproof), long boots, outfit for cold weather (waterproof), towels, change of clothes, copy of insurance card.

※Please ask if you need boots.

■Deadline of application：Until spaces are filled.

■     How to Apply:

Step1:

Download an application form and send it to us after filling it out. (FAX, mail, e-mail are available)

※     Spaces may have been filled. Please call us before you send an application.

Step2:

We will then inform you where to make your payment.

Step3:

After we confirm your payment, your application is determined.

■     Meeting Time：19:30 of each start date (Friday)

We will wait for Hokuhoku Line arrive at 19:25 (from Echigo-yuzawa to Naoetsu)

If you are late, please contact us.

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

■     Breakup Time：12:00 of each end date (Sunday)

The times may be changed. We offer courtesy car to Tokamachi station.

■Meeting Place/Breakup Place：Tokamachi city, Hokuhoku Line, Tokamachi Station’s West 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.

*We are also seeking experienced volunteer registrations in snow clearance for urgent heavy snow. Please let us know if you are interested.

■Inquiries

JEN Tokyo, Kakizawa

TEL:03-5225-9352  FAX:03-5225-9357  E-mail:info@jen-npo.org

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

Sweet Potato

From the 14 - 15 of October, 4 employees from Morgan Stanley, a foreign-affiliated company in Tokyo, visited Iketani again since their first visit of 3rd Niigata Agricultural Volunteer Program.

They revisited Iketani to see how big the sweet potatoes grew since last June.

==== Volunteer Information ===

Those who wish to contribute the Earthquake affected people in Iketani, JEN is seeking Volunteer during the winter (Jan 2007 onwards).  

Further inquiries, please send the email to info@jen-npo.org.

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.