Did you know that Japanese people can also become ARI participants?

Although ARI participants have a strong image of being from overseas, we actually recruit a few Japanese participants every year.

So, here’s a report on the “now” of one of our Japanese graduates!

【Ms. Maiko Horiike, 2009 graduate】

Q1, Why did you become a participant at ARI?

I had no experience in agriculture at all, but I had a vague idea that I wanted to grow food in Africa so that nobody would go hungry. My professor introduced me to ARI, saying, “I know a place that would be perfect for you.”

I was hesitant about being a student again after graduating from university, but I looked at the website and found that it had everything I was looking for.

“I want to go there!” Then, quickly, I decided to become a participant at ARI.

Q2, What was the most shocking thing that happened to you?

The desk in my room was always a mess and it was hard to find things.

In one such situation, my pen case went missing.

I was wondering where did it go, and remember being invited over by a friend from Sri Lanka and when I visited her room, there she was, using my pen!

Did you enter a room where the landlord was not home? How did you find them in that messy desk? You must have gone through a lot of stuff!

“My pen…!” I shouted. “I’m renting yours ♡” She said with a smile without any guilt.

It was an incident that shattered my common sense and at the same time made me realize how possessive I am and how little I share (she is such a kind Sri Lankan who lends her things to those who need them, without any boundary between herself and others).

Q3, About your current livelihood and life

I live in a mountainous area in Mie Prefecture with my husband and my dog, we work on rice paddies and fields (We call the farm, Dekoboko Land), as well as working as a part-timer.

I use small machines, but mainly work by hand and with traditional tools that are manually operated. I would like to say that because of thinking about energy, but I thought about what kind of method would satisfy me and keep me going, then, I came to the way I am doing it now.

How much time and effort would be saved if I did it with a machine…

People might think it’s a wasteful and inefficient way of doing things…

But for me, being able to choose “waste” and “inefficiency” makes me happy, and I feel that choosing them makes me peaceful (Not always!).

The rice, vegetables and gourds produced by our fields are sold at the Harapeko Sato-no-Ichi market. They sell vegetables, processed foods, meals, desserts and goods that are filled with kind hearts.

Please stop by when you visit Nabari City, Mie Prefecture!

Harapeko Sato-no-ichi: Held every Wednesday and the 2nd Saturday at the parking lot of the natural food shop <Harapeko Caterpillar> + so-co.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/satonoichi/

Q4, A message to those who are considering becoming a participant.

Why do you want to be a participant? What do you want to learn? What do you want to do after graduating from ARI? Even if you don’t have all those things clear, I think you can still apply to ARI!

But, I think you should be prepared that you will probably get yourself lost!

→ I was endlessly worried! And of course I’m still worried 14 years after graduation…!

If you are interested, please visit ARI without worrying about whether or not you will be appy. Wishing you will have a shocking and warm time!

☆Open Campus will be held on Jul 27th (Sat)☆

10:30-14:00 ¥3,000 Including campus tour, fun program and organic lunch.

To register, please visit here→ https://ari.ac.jp/entry-form-open-campus2024/

Similar programs will be held on 28 Sep (Sat) and 25 Jan (Sat).

If you are thinking of being a Japanese participant, you can also visit the school on other dates, so please feel free to contact us.