Higashi Shirakawa Village Board of Education offers this program in cooperation with Nagoya University of Commerce & Business as well as local NPO AOZORA KENBUN JYUKU Since 2014, NPO AOZORA KENBUN JYUKU take part in planning and operating the project.
The aim of this project is to have children in Higashi Shirakawa Village to build an international friendship and to widen their views, since most children have no opportunity to interact with non-Japanese people. Through this project, they will have chance to experience other culture and see the world differently.
CIEE Japan has been involved with this STV project since 1998 and it will be 20th anniversary this year.

NPO AOZORA KENBUN JYUKU Official (JAPANESE) http://www.aozora-kenbun.com
NPO AOZORA KENBUN JYUKU Facebook (JAPANESE) https://www.facebook.com/aozorakenbun
Higashi Shirakawa Village https://www.vill.higashishirakawa.gifu.jp/

Work:
Volunteers are expected to work together with local university students to solve the ongoing problems and activities of this village
- Actively involved with English village camp and teach for Japanese children
- Cultural exchange with students at elementary and junior high school
- Visit kindergarten and senior home and do some activities together
- Help some agricultural work
- Clean the accommodation
-Prepare for summer festival
-introduce food of your country(Bring a recipe!)

English village camp (Several days)
International volunteers will spend great amount of time (mostly in the morning) by preparing and initiating this camp. Together with local university students, international volunteer will teach local children (elementary and junior high school) about English. Japanese children only learn English by the books. It is one of their fewer chances to practice it (speak out loud) with non-Japanese people. We would appreciate if international volunteers can take initiatives for this event (because some local university students are not experienced to teach/speak English).
If you can prepare children’s songs, games, quizzes that would be great as well. The local partner will assign some ESL teacher (TBD) and prepare board and photos and national flags to make an atmosphere international and fun!

GIFU
Higashi Shirakawa-Village is located in the central part of Japan, near the Hida Mountains which are very famous for its beautiful scenery among mountain climbers and tourists. Elevation is high and the population is about 4,000. Most villagers take part in forestry and cultivate tea tree. Shirakawa tea is famous around the area. 95% of the villages are covered with mountains and rich forests. Visitors can enjoy its quiet wild nature.
If volunteers like to visit landmarks such as Shirakawago (a newly registered World Heritage) or Gero Onsen (famous hot spring), please plan your trip after the workcamp (the transportation is very limited during the program).

Terminal: Central Japan International Airport
Station:JR Shirakawaguchi station (Takayama Line)

Japanese RYOKAN (They no longer use it for business purpose, but keep the facility as a place for visitors)

Facilities:
7 Japanese-style rooms are available for volunteers, washer, kitchen, bathroom with bathtub, restroom (both Japanese and a western style), fans, Free wifi is available, convenience store is 20 minutes by car, supermarket is 10 minutes by car.

Meals:
Volunteers take turns and cook breakfast and dinner by themselves. Food items will be provided. Local host mostly prepare lunch by providing BENTO box. Sometimes volunteers take turn to make lunch. There is a big BBQ event 1 night too.

English / Japanese
(Conversational Japanese is recommended, but not required)

* 현장납부비용 : 7,000 JPY
[현장 납부비 안내]
본 워크캠프 참가를 위해서는 참가비 외 현장납부비를 현장에서 외화로 직접 납부하셔야 합니다. 자세한 사항은 [국가별 참가비]를 참고해주세요.
http://bit.ly/2scA9fx
Extra fee 7000 JPY(about 60 EURO). Please pay on arrival. This fee will be used for supporting the accommodation fee

[영문지원동기서 첨부 안내]
본 워크캠프 활동을 바탕으로 구체적인 참가동기, 관련 경험 등을 영문으로 작성한 지원동기서(Motivation Letter)를 신청서 작성 시 첨부해주시기 바랍니다.
▶파일형식: Microsoft Word
▶파일이름: 워크캠프 코드-영문이름(ML)
(ex. EST08-Gildong_HONG(ML).docx)
▶분량:1장(자유양식)
▶첨부방법: 신청서 상의 ATTACHING FILE에 첨부
A motivation letter (more than 5 sentences long) is required. Please include your interest, motivation, experience and strength of yourself in English or Japanese.

[비유럽 워크캠프 안내]
본 워크캠프는 참가자 간의 문화교류활동 보다는 지역사회 발전과 현지인과의 교류에 초점을 맞추고 있습니다. 참가가 수가 적을 수는 있으나 지역사회 발전과 현지인과의 교류 측면에 중점을 둔다면 의미 있는 경험이 될 것이며, 다음의 분께 특히 참가를 권장합니다.
-현지인과의 교류에 관심이 많은 분
-유동적인 활동 일정에 유연하게 수용할 수 있는 분
-오픈 마인드로 봉사활동에 적극적으로 참가할 수 있는 분
-신청 전 아래 페이지를 확인하시기 바랍니다.
http://bit.ly/2FQaBXG


[침낭 구비 안내]
개인 위생을 위해 침낭을 반드시 준비하시기 바랍니다.
A sleeping bag is a must. You can not use beddings the Ryokan owns

-Big interest and motivation to teach English (or at least culture/language of your home country) to local Japanese children since this is core activity during this workcamp
-Some interest for outdoor activities, together with local Japanese children in the forest
-Some interest for Japanese culture, language and custom (especially the lifestyle of rural area).

Clothing suitable for activities such as long sleeved items, pants cotton gloves and durable sneakers, swimwear, flip-flops, portable umbrella or rainwear, a hat/cap, facial towel, bath towel, sun protected cream or spray, medicine you use in your home country, a water bottle and a bug repellent. At least 20,000 JPY in cash (including extra fee). A credit card is useless in this area.

Please put the volunteer work on your highest priority. Please keep in mind that the villagers are not experienced to interact with people from overseas and they may look at you with curiosity, but no offence.

A volunteer needs at least 10,000 JPY in cash if he/she wants to go sightseeing on free-day (such as Takayama city) but you can stay at the camp location if you do not want to go out with a big group.