Mountain Village Exchange Makes Children & Villagers Self-sufficient

Learning from Living
- Mountain Village Exchange Makes Children & Villagers Self-sufficient

The plight of school became social issues such as controlled education, education competitiveness, school violence and bullying as well as suicides among children were increasing 20 years ago. Then, in a small mountain village a trial to create a 'learning environment' for children was started.

Learning exists in daily life
Ms. Sachiko Kaji, an ex-kindergarten teacher from the city, started this activity, along with colleagues who also advocated the 'Free Camp' Program, a long stay in the midst of nature, which strengthened the children mentally and gave them a zest for living. 'We want try a life style where we make all that we need ourselves.' Ms. Kaji believed that there was a lot to be 'learned' in the 'simple' life at the camp, and earnestly strived to establish a 'learning environment rooted in community lifestyle.'
In the remote mountain village of Yasuoka in Southern Nagano Prefecture, one of the first projects was for the children to design and build a house, next a library, then an traditional bathing style in metal pot, followed by attempts at rice and vegetable harvesting, raising of poultry and even the construction of a kiln in which to make their own crockery. This was the start of Greenwoods Mountain Village Camp system at the 'Dai Dara Bocchi School of Living.'

The center was not just a 'facility' where learning completed
In the 20 years since, the education policy were consistent. Over the course of a year, through exchange with the local people and sharing their wisdom, children enthusiastically learn through living together in a log cabin, going to the village school and making items they need in everyday life with their own hands.

For example, firewood is important in generating heat for cooking and bathing, however the children had no land from which to gather it. Through direct talks with the local people, they were able to obtain the waste woods. From the start these kinds of activities ensured that matters were not simply completed at the Greenwood center, but went beyond it, as the school and the community went on to share a history of cultivating a positive co-operative relationship.

In my next life I want to be a teacher
In 1999 local residents and Greenwood staff set up an executive committee, and in a joint project with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, established the 'Long-term Children's Village Nature Experience Camp.' It was the very first experiential project for children attempted by the villagers. Before the project, Mr. Fujitsune Kinoshita (brook trout breeder) repeatedly stated that he ¡Æknew nothing about children.¡Ç However, after saying goodbye to the city children he hosted for two weeks, he mentioned to the center¡Çs chief Mr. Hideyuki Tsuji, 'I want to be a teacher in my next life.'

And thus villagers who had until now been unaware of the rich nature around them, used this as an opportunity to set up the 'Yasuoka Children's Village Experience Camp Executive Committee' and the 'Yasuoka Green Tourism Research Committee' to continue nature experience events.

Creating Systems by which to Support the Village¡Çs Self Sufficiency
Yasuoka is a small village with a population of less than 2,000 people. Mr. Sadaharu Matsushima, Village Mayor who advocates support for the 'Mountain Village Camp' and 'City and Mountain Village Exchange Activities' says, 'The graduates of the Mountain Village Camp' and their parents are supporters of Yasuoka Village. Although the village faces financial difficulties it is definitely worth the effort.
Most Mountain Village Camps entailed of inviting an increasing number of ¡Æcity children's to stay over a set period of time. However, in Yasuoka, the significance of a far from convenient lifestyle in the remote village was regarded as a 'learning policy.' The Yasuoka community even includes the camp¡Çs ex-students in the village Coming of Age Ceremony and the participants often visit the village even informally or socially. So the village is more like an irreplaceable second home to them.
Also in spite of the village's financial limitations, the activities contribute towards the self-sufficiency of the village. Through the activities, each year more than 1300 people are engaged in this exchange program, and contracts have been made wherein local farmers provide produce for the participants. Participants from the city are able to experience nature and have the opportunity to learn about the culture and unique features of the village from the local farmers. The community representatives who help with the children's 'experience' are of course paid to do so. Fresh produce is purchased from the village or from nearby regions, so in return the local economy is also given a boost. Thus the activities of this center, help establish a system that supports the self-sufficiency of the village, and vitalize the village economically and in terms of human resources.

Comments of a graduate
Yuki Yamada 33 year old (who completed 1 term at Dai Dara Bocchi during her 2nd year of Junior High
"It¡Çs hard for me to say all I should about what the Dai Dara Bocchi Experience was for me, as there is just so much to say. I really began to assimilate and understand the experience after I had graduated. And even today my understanding of it still continues. For example, I realize the importance of ¡Ægood planning¡Ç as an adult in the workplace. Planning is not simply a plan of action, but is an outline of results. If there are 20 people concerned, they will all have their own varied ideas, and so discussions and opinion exchanges are necessary to form a common image to work towards. In the one year it took to build the house (the main project at the time), there were many conflicting opinions, sometimes these even became arguments. However, when the construction was finally complete, we felt a great sense of accomplishment and even after graduating, we are still proud of our construction efforts."

(Reported by Megumi Noda, Nature Experience Center of NPO Greenwood NPO )