Community Revitalization Project in Kumamoto

On behalf of the local residents of Nishihara Village especially the local farmers, we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to the GlobalGiving Donors. With your support, from January to March, we have mobilized a total of 217 volunteers and supported 93 local farmers and their families in the harvesting and post-harvesting of sweet potatoes and carrots. The dispatched volunteers also assisted some farmers in sowing of Chinese cabbage and corn as well as putting of sticks for tomato plants.

Other than helping in the farm works, the presence of the volunteers helps in the revitalization of the community. One volunteer group mobilized by the project sets up a booth once a month at local events and sells vegetables products of the villagers. There is a plan to expand the sales at local supermarkets or department stores. Meanwhile, we have been hearing comments from volunteers of their intention to move to Nishihara Village and engage in agriculture-related work. Some mentioned that it is inspiring to hear from the farmers, “Please do come again and we made progress thanks to your support.”

As for the comments of the local farmers, they feel happy when volunteers come to support them as they feel that their daughters/sons and grand children had come. Moreover, they are glad to hear a lot of new stories from people coming from the outside.

Almost 2 years since the earthquake, we have observed the gradual recovery of the village and the local people. In spite of the fact that some of the local farmers are hesitant in asking external support, we still feel the need to dispatch volunteers and support the community. Even though family members come to help on the weekends, most of the time, the farmers who are mostly elderly are working alone and constantly pushing themselves to work hard. As a consequence, they tend to get sick and is a heavy burden to them.

With the marriage between the two volunteers in February, we are planning to carry out “marriage hunting” or matchmaking events during the sweet potato planting season to further increase the number of volunteers. We are aiming to get prospective participants using social media and in cooperation with the media. We were featured on NHK radio program and appeared on a special program entitled “The Second Anniversary of the Disaster Recovery”. 

On behalf of the local residents of Nishihara Village especially the local farmers, we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Global Giving Donors for your generous support to our project.

Compared with last year, the number of volunteers has declined to about one third. We felt the need to shift to a scheme for spreading volunteers more appropriately to elderly households and those farmers needing support. Concerning the declining number of volunteers, we intend to boost by planning and carrying out various promotional events.

From October to December, we have mobilized a total number of 243 volunteers who have helped 84 families. The volunteers helped in farming activities such as harvesting and post-harvesting of potatoes, planting garlic and Chinese cabbage seedlings, harvesting of yuzu, squash and taro.

The locals are aware that they cannot rely on the volunteers forever. Yet for now, there is really a need due to manpower shortage especially during the busy period. Moreover, families that are in need of support are the elderly farm households that due to old age cannot work properly. If they get out of agriculture (their main source of livelihood), they might lose the reason to live. With the presence of volunteers who can help even for a short time, their mental burden is somehow lessened.

It seems that sending volunteers in Nishihara Village not only helps the locals in their workloads but also, the volunteers brought a new stimulation that helps in the revitalization of the village. Moreover, as the volunteers work with the locals, they are incorporating new valuable skills/techniques in agriculture that can help improve the quality of farming of the locals.

Volunteers commented that they feel happy to see that the local farmers are gradually getting better. The volunteers are also appreciative of the vegetables and other agricultural products presented by the locals after the field work. Meanwhile, the Kumamoto Nishinichi Newspaper reported on the planned wedding of a couple who have met while volunteering in Nishihara Village. Local farmers are inviting to attend into their wedding.

On November 4, the organized Harvest Thanksgiving Festival was held with the participation of about 30 local farmers and 90 volunteers.

On behalf of the local residents of Nishihara Village especially the local farmers, OISCA International wishes to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Global Giving Donors for your generous support to our project.

We felt the decline in the number of volunteers helping in our activities in Nishihara Village after Fukuoka Prefecture (Northern Kyushu) was affected by flashfloods. Most of our supporters, especially those living in Fukuoka felt the need to prioritize the flashflood victims.

 Despite this situation, we are committed to reach out to help improve the quality of life of the earthquake survivors. We are collaborating with private companies and schools to mobilize volunteers. Moreover, we are organizing festivals such as potato digging competitions to entice volunteers to come and volunteer to the village.

From July to September, a total of 71 families were supported/assisted by the mobilized 263 volunteers. Activities include maintenance of the sweet potato and peanut fields, compost application for taro, maintenance of the chestnut and yuzu farm and harvesting of sweet potato and peanuts.

 Apparently, the presence of the volunteers is encouraging the disaster survivors especially the aging farmers to continue farming. Moreover, the volunteers are of great help in coping with the manpower shortage during the busy period and or due to the sudden and unexpected situations.

Volunteers commented that as they get involved into the project, they felt the sense of fulfillment and they get exposed to farm work aside from the fact that it is also a good stress reliever. Meanwhile, one survivor whose father has suffered from sudden bone fracture almost gave up farming because of the thought that they will not be able to meet the deadline of the product shipment. The availability of 30 volunteers was really a big help as it made the work easier and it was fun.

On November 4, we will be organizing a Harvest Thanksgiving Event. The farm families of Nishihara Village are looking forward to meeting the volunteers who are helping them in their recovery.

 We are looking forward to meeting the volunteers who have been helping us in this endeavor. 

On behalf of the local residents of Nishihara Village especially the local farmers, OISCA International wishes to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Global Giving Donors for your generous support to our project.

Since May to July, with your support and in collaboration with the local government and the volunteer group “Nishihara Village Hyaku Oendan”, we have mobilized a total number of 388 volunteers from the different parts of Japan. The volunteers have helped in the agricultural activities of the locals who are in need of support. Some volunteers did grass cutting in public areas of Nishihara Village.

 Months of May to July are busy months among the local farmers as they need to harvest and put inside the storage rooms the sweet potatoes. Others have to prepare their farms for the summer vegetables such as squash and okra.

 For several months of assisting the local farmers especially the elders, the impact of mobilizing volunteers is apparently effective in terms of the fast recovery of the earthquake victims.

 Sakata-san is one of the beneficiaries of the project. Her husband, who used to be in-charge in their farm got sick and has to go to the hospital often for fast recovery. Because of this, it is difficult for her to cover all the work and finish it within the set schedule. Her independent nature hindered her to seek help from us so her neighbors asked us to approach her and offer our help. She felt grateful to the volunteers who have worked steadily even under the scorching heat of the sun. At that time, the temperature ranges from 30-34 degree Celsius or 86-93.2-degree Fahrenheit.

Sakata-san and other residents of Nishihara Village are still in need of help. Other than continuous update of our website, we are also using our network so to encourage more volunteers.

On behalf of the local residents of Nishihara Village especially the local farmers, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Global Giving Donors for the generous support to our project.

Since December to April, with your support and in collaboration with the local government and the volunteer group “Nishihara Village Hyaku Oendan”, we have mobilized a total number of 761 volunteers from the different parts of Japan, who have helped in the agricultural activities of the village.

December to March are the busiest months especially among the sweet potato farmers because it is the season for them to prepare the land prior to planting. Despite the availability of machineries to ease the workload, the local farmers are still in need of volunteers who will do manual labors such as mulching.

Meanwhile, earthquake survivor Aizawa (80 years old), a peanut grower who is living and working alone on her farm expressed her gratitude for all the help of the volunteers. Due to old age, she has a difficulty moving and tilling her farm but with the help of the volunteers, all the peanuts were planted. Just like the other villagers, she is excited to demonstrate and teach the volunteers especially the young ones on how to do farming. Aizawa is looking forward to meeting the volunteers during the harvesting period.

The impact of mobilizing volunteers to help assist the farmers especially the elderly is gradually observed in Nishihara Village. Compared to the other neighboring villages without the scheme of volunteer mobilization, the agricultural sector of Nishihara Village is gradually recovering. Moreover, the mere presence of these volunteers is a big help in the recovery of the village.

Summer season is fast approaching and the local farmers will be busy in planting of sweet potato. They will be needing more hands so we are consistently updating our website to encourage and mobilize volunteers.