NICE International Workcamps

ARCH: Archaeology
AGRI: Agriculture
ARTS: Arts
CONS: Construction
DISA: Disabled (“Challenged”)
EDUC: Teaching, Awareness
ENVI: Environmental
ELDE: Work with Elderly
FEST: Festival
HERI: Cultural or Heritage
KIDS: Work with Kids
MANU: Manual
MEDI: Medical
PEACE: Peace
RELIEF: Disaster Relief
RENO: Restoration, Renovation
SOCI: Social
STUDY: Study, Research
* "Social" means work with disadvantaged people besides ELDE and DISA (e.g. Orphans, Refugees, Homeless) OR work with various types of such people with special needs.

Organized together with Choma-Club (CC) since 2008. CC is a local NPO that organizes many projects for community development and youth-empowerment. Showa-mura is a rural village surrounded by abundant nature and has been facing serious depopulation problems. The number of vacant houses and abandoned farms have been rapidly increasing. So, CC has been trying to restore and animate the community.
W: We will remove snow from some of the eldery villagers house’s that live in the steep mountainous areas. Over 50 percent of the villagers are people aged 65 or older and do not have enough physical strength to do it. We will receive training and work with the local volunteers.
S: Nature-orientated activities and nature schools in your country. Bring some info.!
A: The abandoned house, it is a historically valuable for volunteers. CV
L: Small village in the forested area, the population is about 19,000. There is a hot spring.
T: Tokyo (5 hours from Tokyo by bus)
LA: Excursions, exchange parties, etc.
SR: Very good Japanese language (there will be a phone interview). Workcamp language will be JAPANESE! Vols. need to be physically strong.

Same as NICE/02

Newly organized together with Uonuma-Denshukan. Fukuyama is a rural village surrounded by an abundance of nature which has been facing serious depopulation problems. Moreover, it is a heavy snowfall area and there is usually more than 2 meters of snow on the ground during the winter. Uonuma-Denshukan has been trying to energize the area and also runs various kinds of ecological education programs mainly for kids to let them experience the rich nature of Fukuyama.
W: We will help removing the heavy snowfall from roofs of the house where elderly people are living alone. The labor will be physically hard. We will do a variety of activities with the local community, especially on the weekend working with kids from the town and helping together with kids at all times.
S: Effective cases of activated depopulated areas in each country. Bring some info.!
A: The abandoned school buildings. SB! CV
L: Mountainous, agricultural town about 170 km north of Tokyo. Famous for the bestsake and rice! Very cold in winter!!!
T: Tokyo (3 hours by bullet train or 5 hours by slow train)
LA: Exchange parties and excursion etc.
SR: High motivation to work hard and enjoy simple life in the isolated area and respect for the local culture and way of the local organization! Very good Japanese language skills (there will be a phone interview). Workcamp language will be JAPANESE!

Organized together with Chabo Long House and Malaysian Organization of Voluntary Exchange (MOVE) since 2005. The area and the indigenous people, Iban, have very rich natural environment and culture by collective life in long houses, but young people go to the cities because of a lack of jobs and also because their richness is not valued in this modern civilization. The workcamps have been very welcomed by the local people and we aim to activate this depopulated mountain community with them!
W: We may help to reconstruct some kitchen buildings of the long house since it is getting weak and rotten. We may also sometimes join the work of our host families such as cultivation of pepper fields and rubber tapping and promote eco sponges with which you don’t need soap for washing dishes.
S: Future plan of the long house. Bring some info.!
A: Home stay in the long houses (1-2 vols. in each family) with bathing in the river. SB! MP
L: A small village in the jungle of Sarawak Island, 6 hours by boat and car from Kuching. 45 minutes by 4W car from the nearest town and we can enjoy to exchange with local cheerful Iban people.
T: Kuching (you need to arrive by the night of one day before the first day and can leave after the morning of one day after the last day)
LA: Exchange parties with Iban dance and drink, jungle trekking and barbeque, etc.
SR: The project has not been confirmed yet. Quite hard (very limited choices) for vegetarian!
PF: 400 RM (about 120 US$) to be paid on your arrival

Same as NICE/21: Julau 1

Organized together with Sanson-Juku (SJ) since 2008 (but first time for the short term with NICE). SJ maintain the forest and rice fields through the exchange programs between cities and the country side. In spite of the town’s natural heritage, depopulation (especially of youth) is a serious problem here similarly to many other parts of the country side in Japan. We aim to help with nature conservation and to activate the area through workcamps.
W: We will work in the forests doing activities such as hiking and cutting bushes in maintenance of the forest by which we can contribute to nature conservation through global voluntary power. We will repair traditional stone rice fields.
S: Effective cases of activated depopulated areas in each country. Bring some info..!
A: Building in abandoned school. CV
L: Southern part of the Fukuoka prefecture. The Kurogi town is 135,49 km2. There are so many tee trees and terraced paddy fields.
T: Fukuoka airport (3 hours by express train). From Tokyo to Fukuoka airport, 1.5 hours by airplane or from Tokyo to Hakata station, 5.5 hours by Shinkansen.
SR: Interest in nature protection and exchange with a community. Adaptability to enjoy a simple lifestyle!

Organized with a local group, Kikuya, since 2008. Kikuya is a Community Group formed by local young people to think of the future of their small village. Ikata town is famous for oranges that are the main industry there. But the town has been facing depopulation, with a lack of workers since most of the young people leave the town. The number of abandoned orange farms is increasing and the town is losing traditions and customs. They want to work with volunteers to animate the town and revive orange farms.
W: We will be divided 2-3 persons and work with farmers in each orange farm, mainly harvesting and take care of orange trees that is not rely on agrichemical and chemical manure. So, it is good for health and nature. We will also clean up the town and find good site points of this town.
S: rural development. Bring some info.!
A: Volunteers house in the town. SB! CV
L: About 350 km northwest of Osaka. Sata Peninsula in Ehime prefecture.
T: Osaka (8hours by bus and train). From Tokyo, 8 hours by bullet train or 14 hours by midnight bus.
SR: Some Japanese language

The first workcamp was organized in 2000 in collaboration with Maki Farm of Kyodo Gakusha (KG). KG is a NPO running 5 organic farming communities in Japan where disadvantaged people who are interested in learning about farming come to work together in the spirit of cooperation. Maki Farm has 5-10 members and is located in a very isolated area that is not accessible by car, so we begin by walking 4 km into the mountains. In the 1970’s the village was abandoned and has since been reused to create a new community.
W: We will mainly clear the snow of their buildings and carry the fire woods by using sledges. We will also take care of goats and chicken and also carry the things from the town, help their house works, etc. Be ready to work for quite a long time (05:30-18:00 with some brakes) and hard.
S: Similar type of communities in each country and their networking. Bring some info.!
A: Building for volunteers in the farm. CV. SB! There are some gas, electricity and water!
L: Very isolated, but beautiful place near “Japanese Northern Alps”. About 900 meters asl. There are something remained here that most of Japanese areas have lost in modernization.
T: From Tokyo, 4 hours by express train or 8-10 hours by bus and train.
LA: Visit to the elementary school, foot ball and baseball (optional), exchange party, etc.
SR: Good Japanese language. Workcamp language will be JAPANESE! You need to be physically strong and flexible to respect the way of the local host. Motivation letter is needed!

Organized together with local farmers since 1995. February through March is the busiest period for flower farming, the main industry of the island. So, they face a shortage of even temporary paid workers and we volunteers will support them! This is NOT a typical workcamp, BUT rather a farm-stay program except for the last five days when the volunteers stay and do some activities together such as cleaning the beach and visiting an retirement home.
W: We will be divided into 2-3 people and work with farmers on each farm, mainly harvesting and shipment of chrysanthemums. It will be not so physically hard but for long hours sometimes even in the night with same type of simple works, so your high level motivation is very important!!
S: Future plan of the island. Bring some info.!
A: Each farm. SBN. MP but you may need to help.
L: 536 km south of Kagoshima. Nice nature, culture and people, not polluted by tourism. Quite warm (average in a day is 20 degree in winter). One of the safest places in the world!
T: Naha (6 hours by ship). From Tokyo, it takes 3 days by the slow train and ship for the cheapest way.
LA: Sports with local youth, excursion, exchange parties, etc.
SR: Very good Japanese language (there will be phone interview). Workcamp language will be JAPANESE! High motivation to help farming. Vols. can get some pocket money.

Organized with the ‘Organization of Green and Water’ (OGW) since 2007. OGW was established in 1992 to advocate for the importance of the prairie and forest in our ecosystem. They work around Iwami Ginzan, a silver mine, which was registered as a World Heritage site in 2007. The organization wants to care for the forests and prairies. It is important to continue to care for our forests after we have disrupted the ecosystem.
W: We will do a variety work to maintain and protect the forests such as cutting bamboo and grasses, burning grasses, etc… Extending bamboo forest is serious problem in Japan. It will be physically challenging. Part of the Greening Asia project.
S: Similar kinds of activities of forest care and protection in each country. Bring some info.!
A: National Sanbe youth's house. SBN MP
L: About 250 km northwest of Osaka. Near the Sea of Japan
T: Osaka (9 hours by train). From Tokyo, 6 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus.
LA: Visiting school, exchange parties, home stay.
SR: Interested in nature conservation

Organized together with Minamata International Friendship Association (MIFA) since 1992. 40 years ago in Minamata there was a tragic environmental disaster caused by industrial pollution. It is now entirely safe and the town of Minamata is a pioneer as an ecological town. They even separate their garbage into 21 different categories. The workcamps have been creating a forest on the reclaimed land to bear new life as a symbol of revival, which was a strong wish of the patients. They are also doing a variety of community works to activate local communities.
W: We will mainly work for “marine project” such as cleaning the beaches and helping to research the life of the wet land. We may also maintain the workcamp forest by transplanting the seedlings, etc. and probably also do some farm work and World Tanabata Action.
S: Future plan of Minamata and Greening Asia. Bring some info.!
A: Public hall (we will barrow the bathrooms of neighbors that creates nice exchange). SB! CV.
L: South west in Kyushu island. People are cheerful and many of man like to drink sake!! If lucky, you could enjoy parties under cherry flowers!
T: Fukuoka (3 hours by train). From Osaka, 6 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus.
LA: Home stay, exchange parties, elementary school visit, etc.
SR: Interest to protect nature and to exchange with people.

Organized together with COTFONE (Community Transformation Foundation Network) and UPA (Uganda Pioneer Association) since 2008. COTFONE, established in 2003, runs Children Center to provide education for 90 orphans aged 4-10. It is registered by Masaka prefecture government and run by 3 staff members and other local vols. A member of NICE working in this NGO as a JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) volunteer for 2 years have proposed this project.
W: We will mainly construct a classroom of the centre by collecting water, sand, bricks and making cement. We will also organize games, sports and drawing with the children as well as conduct educational programs for youth to prevent HIV/ AIDS. Your creative ideas are welcomed!
S: Situation of orphans in both countries and possible future cooperation. Bring some info.!
A: Some rooms of the COTFONE Children Center. SB! CV
L: Bukoto-South district, 4 hours by bus from Kampala
T: Entebe international airport (you need to arrive by the 16th night and can leave in the 30th morning)
LA: Visits to Orphans’ home, health centre, local markets, holy stones landmark, etc.
SR: Those who like kids and can respect local cultures/ ways. Construction skill is welcome! For more info. and applications, please contact with UPA: uganda_pioneers22@hotmail.com
PF: 180 Euro to be paid on your arrival (20 Euro more if you want to be picked up at the airport).

First organized in 1999, in collaboration with ‘Akame no Mori wo Mamoru kai’, a local environmental NPO. In an area between Osaka and Nagoya, there were plans for a golf course and disposal of industrial garbage, but the local community has stopped them with the ‘Woods Trust’ movement. The group was formed in 1996 to collect donations to buy and protect the land, to build an eco-resort to enjoy nature, to maintain forests, to create a pond for dragonflies, etc…
W: We will do a variety of work to care for the forest such as cutting trees, cutting branches, maintaining the footpath, etc. Main work of this year is fixing a hiking trail near the pond for dragonflies. Physically hard. We will support the Youth event there. Part of Greening Asia.
S: Local participation to protect nature and Greening Asia. Bring some info.!
A: The pension named "Eco Resort Akame". SB! CV
L: About 60 km east of Osaka. There are famous falls nearby many hikers visit. The climate in this season is quite cold, so don't forget to bring warm clothes.
T: Osaka or Nagoya (1 hour by train from both).
LA: Excursion, exchange parties, Visiting schools, communication with elderly people of eco-resort, etc.
SR: Motivation letter is needed! Volunteers should have strong motivation for conservation forest work. Physically strength.

The first workcamp was organized in 2004 in collaboration with Kodomo-Art (Society of Children's Theater Works and Community Development, established in 1972). In the past three years Kodomo-Art have annually held an international children’s art festival that brings artists and children together with the community. They seek to mobilize the communities in their area using art and cultural heritage as an educational tool to build networks between different kinds of art organizations and children. We aim to involve local people to promote global understanding, friendship and solidarity through this festival.
W: We will help to prepare the festival, such as site management and decoration. We will promote this festival to local kids through the visiting the kindergarten and the nursery school. We will do the activities for children to spend the festival with a lot of fun.
S: Unique art festival. Bring some info.!
A: Local house. SB! CV
L: Small town in the mountains, 60 km south of Fukuoka. Good access by highway bus from Fukuoka.
T: Fukuoka (1.5 hours by bus). From Osaka, 5 hours by bullet train or 12 hours by midnight bus.
LA: Exchange parties, excursion, etc.
SR: Interest in art and Kids!!

Organized together with MCE (Mongolian workCamps Exchange) and supported by Greening Asia Fund of NICE since 2002. The forest conservation is a serious problem in Mongolia. Prior to 1990, the forests covered 10% of land, but today only 7% of the land is forested. This change is a result of clear cutting without any controls and forest fires. It takes a long time for trees to grow and the current water level of the river has also decreased. Summer workcamps of MCE continue to water the plants, so the forests have been growning quite well.
W: We will plant trees in the MCE project site and some other places. There are increasing activities by some organizations to plant trees but it takes a hundred or more years for a tree to grow to it's full height, so we should join in this movement through global volunteering! May is the best season to plant trees. Part of Greening Asia project.
S: The future plan of international workcamps in Mongolia and Greening Asia. Bring some info.!
A: GER (Mongolian traditional tent) and Youth hostel. Very warm sleeping bag is needed! CV
L: Buhug river, located 45km far from Ulaanbaatar. The temperature will be about 10-20 C, but be careful sometimes weather will be changed lot. Sunny, sometimes rainy and windy.
T: Ulaanbaatar (MCE will kindly pick volunteers up at the airport!)
LA: Cultural exchange program, excursions, etc.
SR: To like planting work and simple nomadic life. Mongolian speakers are welcome! For more info. and applications, please contact with MCE: mce-mn@magicnet.mn
PF: 160 Euro to be paid on your arrival

Same as NICE/12: Maki1 except the following point:
W: We will help with their organic farming (weeding in rice and vegetable fields, planting vegetables, taking care of goats and chicken) and also carry things from the town, renovate the trails, help with their house work, etc. Be ready to work hard (05:30-18:00 with some breaks).

Organized together with Terakoya-Hojyosha (TH) and VolTra (VT). They run an alternative school where they host children who could not attend their local school for a variety of different reasons. In this area, there has been depopulation, especially a decrease in children and a significant ageing population. VT got a request from one university which wants to send a group to Japan for volunteering. The goal of this workcamp is to energize and engage the community through the power of global voluntary service.
W: We will construct slide and amazing square by snow for Kids and family in the ski area. TH run winter nature kids activities, so kids will enjoy this slide and amazing square. We remove snow of the elder’s houses. We will receive training and work with the local volunteers.
S: Organizing nature activities. Please bring some information of nature school in your country.
A: Building in abandoned school. SB! CV
L: A small town in forest area, the population is about 18,000. There is a hot spring in the village.
T: Tokyo (5 hours from Tokyo by bus)
LA: Exchange parties, ski, etc.
SR: Interest in rural area and the project of the workcamp. Only Japanese and Group from Hong Kong

Organized together with KNCU National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU), AVAN (Asian Volunteer Action Network) and Vang Vieng Youth Center (VVYC) since 2009. KNCU and AVAN (network of individuals who has done voluntary service for one year in Japan) work for rural development in Vang Vieng by running school bus and English classes, construction of the library and skill training. They run VVYC with the local youth. NICE started a workcamp with them in 2009 that was successful!
W: We will do some construction (possibly, completing the school toilet), organize cultural exchange activities with the local children/ youth and any other work based on the local needs such as teaching English, environmental protection. We may also do Eco Sponge Action and/ or World Tanabata Action.
S: The future plan of international workcamps in Laos and the youth center. Bring some info.!
A: Guest house. SB! CV.
L: Agricultural village in Vang Vieng district in the north part, surrounded by the river and mountains.
T: Vientaine (we will go to the project site by the rental bus for several hours!)
LA: Exchange party, excursions, school visit, etc.
SR: Only Japanese, Korean and Lao, who can respect the local culture and enjoy a simple life.
PF: 300 US$ to be paid on your arrival

Organized together with Mongolian workCamps Exchange (MCE) and Child Care Center of Mongolia (CCCM) since 2001 and newly with Vision Youth Action (VYA) Taiwan. CCCM is the only national orphanage in Mongolia where about 300 children live. In the age of socialism, they got a lot of support from the government, but no longer, since 1990. They try to find donations and also grow vegetables in the suburb using organic farming methods which elder children take care of during their summer vacation.
W: The main work will be to teach English/ Japanese/ Taiwanese languages with fun songs and other exchange with children. We may also do Eco Sponge Action and/ or World Tanabata Action (sponges may be brought back to Japan/ Taiwan and sold there to support the life of the children).
S: The future plan of international workcamps in Mongolia and the orphanage. Bring some info.!
A: Apartment house (there are a few rooms for the volunteers) SB! CV.
L: Ulaanbaatar. One third of population in the country (2.4 millions) live in this capital city. Don't worry about the weather, we will work and live in a warm inside environment.
T: Ulaanbaatar (MCE will kindly pick volunteers up at the airport!)
LA: Cultural exchange program, excursions, etc.
SR: ONLY Japanese, Taiwanese and Mongolian who like kids and are flexible/ adaptable.
PF: 160 Euros to be paid on your arrival

Organized together with Sadhana Forest (SF) since 2007. SF started its ecological revival and sustainable living work in 2003. The dream is to ecologically transform 70 acres of severely eroded land into a vibrant Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF). This forest type is found only in Southern India and Sri Lanka and provides a rare biological richness due to its very high species abundance (over 1000 species of trees, shrubbery, and fauna). We are also working to integrate a workcamp NGO in India.
W: We will do several environmental works. TDEF is now close to total extinction, as only 0.01% survives . The main action areas are planting the TDEF, water conservation, soil erosion control, and sustainable living education. Part of Greening Asia.
S: The future plan of SF and global cooperation. Bring some info.!
A: Huts and under large tents constructed from natural, local materials. Food is vegan! SB! CV
L: Auroville, an international community near Pondicherry, South India
T: Chennai (you need to arrive by a day before the 1st day and can leave after a day after the last day)
LA: Cultural exchange program, swimming, daily yoga class, cycling, meditation, tai-chi, shiatsu, etc.
SR: Only Japanese and Indian. Respect to the local way and culture. You need to enjoy healthy life (vegan, no smoking, no drinking!!). The middle term workcamp will be also organized in 07/02-20/03.
PF: Actual food cost (about 42 US$ for 2 weeks) to be paid on your arrival.