Makiko Abe

Last Monday, ARI had a special program to celebrate its anniversary day. In the morning, a commemorative service was held at Oikos chapel and through Mrs. Shinko Takami, wife of our founder, Rev. Toshihiro Takami, we learned of the many wonderful character encountered and God’s guidance in their lives. Some former staffs from the neighborhood also gathered at the service, and it was a time to realize that ARI is today based on the efforts and prayers of our predecessors, and that we have been part of that flow.After the … Read more

On 26 – 31 August, participants went on a study tour around Yamagata, where they split into two groups and visited JA, city halls, farmers and schools in two areas, Okitama and Shonai. These regions have a long history of local leadership and government involvement in promoting producer- and consumer-friendly organic farming. Participants learned various things, from predecessors’ philosophy to systems of JA to protect farmers, as well as gender issues for women in agriculture. In between observations and sharing sessions, participants helped each other  to cook and clean, and … Read more

From 1-26 August, two ARI staff members travelled to Zambia and Malawi to visit a total of 23 graduates. At the end of the trip, they attended an ECHO conference in Malawi. ECHO is an organization that works in South-East Asia and East and West Africa to tackle hunger by helping small-scale farmers become self-sufficient by providing training opportunities in sustainable farming methods that are adapted to local conditions. In connection with ECHO, AFARI (American Friends of ARI) organized and sponsored a gathering of ARI graduates at the conference, where … Read more

On 16, 17 and 20 of August, Shimotsuke newspaper published a series of articles entitled ”JICA, From the Land of Africa – Report on a Visit to Uganda”.The article was in three parts, covering support for infrastructure development, agriculture and education. Miki Kanai (currently a JICA staff in Uganda), an ARI volunteer from 2020-21, was interviewed as one of those who had learned agriculture in Tochigi. She says, “I want to spread the cultivation of rice using organic fertilisers in Uganda where there are many farmers”. Although not featured in … Read more

“We are servants of the Lord”

Nasu Machi Jinbutsu Zukan 3