Participant Introduction – Otim (Uganda)

“A typical day in my community is full of meeting basic needs such as health, gathering firewood or charcoal, cooking, and agricultural activities like gardening, rearing animals, and caring for the poultry.”

Otim Nebin Aron is a farming and health assistant in the orphanage St. Jude Children’s Home, where he has volunteered and assisted children with disabilities in the last five years.

Otim grew up in a post-war conflict rural community facing poverty, poor health conditions, unreliable income, and lack of education. While a big part of his job as a farming assistant includes working with pigs and livestock feed, Otim also serves through his tree planting project, supporting the orphanage, health education, and first aid emergencies. The direct work with the local people allows him to understand his community’s current issues, needs and wants. In addition, he manages grassroots door-to-door immunization against communicable diseases.

During his stay at ARI, he wants to gain more agricultural and leadership skills. As well as the ability to make the most out of local resources to improve the situation of his community. Upon his return, he wants to promote and educate about organic agriculture and support health work.

Sending Organization          

“To provide a loving home where all children in need are equally treated, able to receive psycho-social support, health care, sound education, and basic care.” This is St. Jude Children’s Home’s mission since its foundation. The Orphanage has a variety of projects, including providing support to vulnerable and disabled children and educational offers.

Otim grew up at St. Jude Children’s Home and wants to give back to the children’s home and community. After his return from ARI, he will take an active role in the home’s activities and be an encouraging role model for the children.

Men's Dormitory & Guest House

Participants and volunteers live in separate dormitories for men and women. The dormitory includes shared lounges, kitchens, showers, and laundry facilities. Wi-Fi is not available.

Poultry House

The poultry facilities include free-range chicken coops and a brooding house. More than 400 chickens are raised, producing over 80,000 eggs and approximately one ton of chicken meat each year.

Pig Pen

Participants learn a variety of pig farming techniques through hands-on practice. Both deep-litter and concrete-floor systems are used, and manure is recycled into biogas and fertilizer.

Goat House

Goat milk (over 200 liters annually) and meat are used for food, while manure is used as fertilizer. During the day, the goats roam freely in the pasture.

Forest

The forests surrounding the campus are managed through selective thinning for firewood and charcoal production. Leaves and other organic materials are collected for use in agriculture.

Fields

On 2.5 hectares of farmland, approximately 100 varieties of vegetables and crops are grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The entire community helps manage the fields as part of its commitment to learning and self-sufficiency.

Rice Paddies

Rice is cultivated in paddies both on and off campus. Various organic rice-growing methods are studied and practiced, including weed control and fertilization using ducks.

Workshop

The workshop is a space for repair and recycling activities. It contains machinery, welding equipment, woodworking tools, and a variety of materials.

Feed Mixing Room

Livestock feed is produced here using both manual and mechanical methods. Continuous efforts are made to improve feed quality and sustainability.

Administration Building

The first floor houses the reception area and administrative offices, while the second floor contains staff offices and the Director’s office. The Farm Shop (Agricultural Training Room) is located adjacent to the building.

ARI Shop

The shop offers ARI-grown produce, processed foods, books, and handicrafts from the home countries of ARI graduates.

Farm Shop (Agricultural Training Room)

The facility serves as the hub of agricultural activities at ARI. It includes classrooms, storage for tools and farming materials, and facilities for drying and storing crops.

Oikos Chapel

Originally a 100-year-old traditional farmhouse, the chapel has been renovated into a place of worship. Daily morning gatherings are held here, along with meditation, dialogue sessions, gospel choir practice, and other community activities. Oikos is a Greek word meaning “home.”

Manna House (Food Processing Room)

This facility is used for producing and storing processed foods such as cookies and jam. The ground floor also contains a poultry processing facility.

Fish Ponds

Fish are raised for both food and agricultural purposes.

クリスマス・ウィンターキャンペーン 2025
Christmas and Winter Donation Campaign