News

This week, ARI welcomed Mr. Yoji Kamata as a guest lecturer to lead a session on localization and the value of community. In the class, ARI participants reflected on the positive aspects of traditional cultures and the challenges that often accompany modern development, including environmental damage, weakened local economies, and the erosion of family and cultural ties. The session also highlighted the downsides of economic globalization, such as increasing insecurity, climate impact, and the waste of natural resources. Using the metaphor of a “leaking bucket,” Mr. Kamata explained how local … Read more

A community event to experience Japanese culture was held at ARI!Participants dressed in yukata and enjoyed various stations featuring traditional Japanese activities such as origami, tea ceremony, ayatori, and sushi rolling. There was also a live shamisen performance, and the event ended on a warm note with everyone dancing the bon odori together.It was truly impressive to see participants from diverse backgrounds earnestly learning about Japanese culture while deepening their connections. Through opportunities like this, understanding and respect for different cultures are fostered, making it a valuable experience for all … Read more

It’s that time of year again! ARI’s biggest annual event, Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration (HTC), is coming soon.We recently held our first planning meeting, and participants shared many exciting and creative ideas. This year’s HTC is shaping up to be another joyful and lively two-day celebration.Save the date: October 18 (Saturday) & 19 (Sunday).Everyone is welcome come join the fun and celebrate the harvest with us!

At ARI, a PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) class was held, where participants were divided into groups based on their home regions to discuss challenges faced in their communities. PRA is a method often used in development work, where local people identify problems and think about solutions using their own knowledge and experiences.In the class, participants also worked on organizing the “causes” and “effects” of the issues they discussed. One common topic raised by many groups was waste management. Participants shared how inadequate waste disposal has led to river and soil … Read more

On June 22, two participants, two training assistants, and one staff member visited UCCJ Nakameguro Church in Tokyo for “ARI Sunday”. At the service, Beri, a participant and pastor from Indonesia, shared her sermon based on her experiences in her country.After the service, we enjoyed a gorgeous lunch prepared by church members. There, each participant was asked to share about their country and their work.The families who served as the two participants’ host families during the recent Tokyo Homestay Program also joined us for a happy reunion.We would like to … Read more

Special session

The other day, a participants-led community event was held with the theme “Enjoy!”Despite having only a short time to prepare, the participants came up with creative ideas and worked hard to organize fun games and delicious food.On the day of the event, the venue was filled with smiles and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.We are truly grateful to all the participants who made this wonderful time possible.Thank you so much!