Community Projects in Japan

  Japan

• All Other Areas: 
Hiroshima,  Fukuoka,  Hokkaido,  Nagasaki

Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: early Sept / early March

Description: Wherever you are, you will be fully involved in the life of the community. You will be helping people who need and appreciate your help. Your host organization will organize or help you with Japanese lessons and arrange plenty of opportunities to meet people and enjoy a wide variety of cultural activities.

* Caring / Medical
   - Cheshire Homes -
Perhaps this is one of our most demanding projects, but at the same time it is also one of the most rewarding. Much of the work is on a one-to-one basis with physically disabled people. Our volunteers form strong relationships with the people they help to care for and their help is greatly valued by both the patients and the staff.

   - Homes for the Elderly -
In Japan old peoples homes tend to be much more interesting than those in the UK. The Japanese assume elderly people have many interests and there is much activity to stimulate the residents. This is a very valuable, hands-on experience. Many would-be doctors chose this option.

   - Community Care Centre -
This placement fulfills a more social function. The duties involve playing with young children, talking to the elderly and making friends with adolescents who use the Centre. There are some outdoor and camping opportunities. Males only for April.

   - Red Cross Hospitals -
All the hospitals offer a variety of duties and provide excellent experience for anyone hoping to work in medicine or health related fields. The hospitals try to give a wide experience of hospital life. You will work in a variety of wards helping with a variety of tasks. You may also be asked to help with some administration and teaching English to the Nursing staff. You will be given Japanese lessons at the hospital, but the more Japanese you know, the more responsible the tasks you will be given.

* Schools / Caring
Pre-school nurseries attached to the Anglican Church near Fukuoka, and another in Nishio City.

* Environment / Caring
These placements involve conservation, wine production and shiitake mushroom cultivation; most of the staff working with you are disabled residents of the centre. Male only, September departures only.

Highlights: You won't regret going to Japan. Japan is a safe, fascinating country, full of contrasts. It is highly advanced technologically and in many ways very Westernized. But at the same time it retains a strong traditional culture, quite different from ours. It is full of history, wonderful temples and with beautiful countryside. It is an incredibly clean, efficient and organized country. You will be treated with great kindness and respect wherever you are and will find the generosity of your hosts overwhelming. The more you put in the more you will get out of the experience. Nearly every volunteer returns saying that theirs is the greatest project on earth!

Qualifications: - Fulfilling commitment is very important in Japanese culture where everyone is expected to do their best. This will bring you enormous satisfaction and a great sense of achievement.
- If you are offered a placement in Japan start learning some Japanese either at a local college or with a cheap cassette course.
- It is important to have dedication, be open, adaptable and committed to your role as volunteer.

Cost in US$: contact us for more details

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 and up

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Japan Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network

Lattitude Global Volunteering Canada (formerly GAP)'s Mission Statement: Lattitude Global Volunteering Canada provides a distinctive, international experience for young volunteers, through a journey of discovery that fosters independence, helps others and promotes global understanding. Lattitude Canada places youth (ages 18 to 29) in volunteer placements overseas (3 to 12 month terms - depending on country).

Year Founded: 1970