Asian Rural Institute

While in the Tokyo area last week, we visited friends at the Asian Rural Institute (http://www.ari-edu.org/english/index.html) in Nasushiobara. We were introduced to A.R.I. through our friends at the Birdhouse Inn back home in Poultney, and have been interested in its mission of sustainable agriculture and community development, specifically in training leaders from rural and marginalized communities in developing countries in Africa and Asia. We stayed a couple of days at A.R.I. and met participants from many places, including Nepal, the Philippines, Ghana, Cameroon, India, and Myanmar; and volunteers and staff from the U.S., Japan, and Germany. Participants and volunteers operate a sustainable farm that provides rice, vegetables, and meat for the institute (and the food was delicious).

We were interested in seeing whether A.R.I. would be a good fit for intern volunteers from Green Mountain, but we also wanted to see the farm and visit our friends there. J especially enjoyed our time at A.R.I, being passed around by such a diverse and interesting group of people, some of whom had little babies they were missing at home. A highlight was the time spent with the friends we met back in Poultney, especially their two beautiful daughters who were awaiting J's visit with their toys and books all lined up for him. He was so happy and relaxed at A.R.I., and we were wishing we could have stayed longer. Here are some pictures of the campus, including the farm and dining hall. The last picture is one S took of our Nozomi Super Express reflected by a building in Nagoya. I think J and I are framed in the fourth full window from the left.