By Jenn Louie

Local
MAJET

MAJET Charity/ UNICEF Fund
Every year MAJET hosts a series of established and new events in order to promote awareness and raise money for UNICEF and other local charities (see below). In the past, funds have been raised through the Cheesy Disco, New Year’s Ball, calendar sales, and various booths at local festivals. Contact the MAJET Charity Liaison or executive officer (www.geocities.com/miyazakiajet) in order to find out more about getting involved.

Orphanage visits
Using MAJET’s charity funds, Miyakonojo CIRs established a series of monthly visits to the Miyakonojo Orphanage to play with the kids. There are about 9 orphanages in total around Miyazaki open to visits or donations. Ask the Miyazaki International Center (0985-32-8512; e-mail, pre-cir@mif.or.jp, www.mif.or.jp) or Miyakonojo International Center (0986-23-2295) for more information.

International Center & CIRs
Here is a short list of events open to volunteers that have been organized by CIRs in the past. To find out more, contact the Miyazaki International Center or your local CIR.
• Beach cleanups
• Sand castle building
• Local festivals
• Harmony Festival/ Peace Rally
• International exchange events (i.e. cooking courses, language courses, etc.)

At Schools
Ask your local schools if they have a volunteer club (sometimes called the ‘Interact Club’). These groups raise money for worthy causes and volunteer at local events. If there is none, consider starting your own.

Local Organizations/ Events
Phoenix International Professional Golf Tournament (Applications due mid-September, event held in mid-November,) Contact the main office for applications (Tel. 0985-38-1191; Fax 0985-38-1194).

Miyakonojo Area International Association (MAIA)
Offers international events, parties, a newsletter, and much more. Membership is free for foreigners. (Tel. 0986-23-2295; Fax 0985-29-7419; E-mail maia@mnet.ne.jp)
Web page: www.city.miyakonojo.miyazaki.jp
Web page in English: www.city.miyakonojo.miyazaki.jp/english/maia/index.htm

Heart & Hand NGO- Kokusai Kodomo Shien Dantai
Raises money and offers visits to help orphans in Bangladesh. http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~m.labo/h/h.html

Zirai Zero Miyazaki NGO
This organization works to raise awareness about landmines and raise money to help land mine victims. http://www.spin.ne.jp/~mlc-zero/

Asia Arsenic Network (For Bangladesh)
http://www.asia-arsenic.net/

The Miyazaki International Volunteer Center
Currently this group is working on raising relief funds and awareness about the impoverished in India.
(Tel. 0985-29-7419; Fax 0985-29-7419) http://ha7.seikyou.ne.jp/home/dgh/)

Miyazaki Overseas Cooperative Association
(Tel. 0985-24-5056; Fax 0985-24-5092; E-mail mashi@face.ne.jp)

NGO - Happy Valley Forum
Events focus on the environment or children and families in need of support. Some Japanese ability is helpful.
(Tel. 0982-21-7494; Fax 0982-34-9643; E-mail info@happy-valley.gr.jp)

Miyazaki Bridge of Fellowship
This group seeks to empower people to help themselves. Japanese ability is necessary.
(Tel. 0985-84-3962; Fax 0985-84-3962)

National
National AJET Special Interest Groups (SIGs) www.najet.org

EcoSIG: Organizes environmental activities and fundraising events such as parties and bike-a-thons. www.geocities.com/green-in-japan/

Volunteer SIG- Offers resources to volunteer organizations and opportunities around Japan. http://www.ajet.net/vsig

Habitat for Humanity & GO MAD (see below)
The Chiiori Project
Learn about Japanese carpentry, masonry, and crafts by volunteering to help restore a 300 year-old Edo period farmhouse. Located in Iya Valley, Shikoku. The project was created by Alex Kerr (author of Lost Japan) and Mason Florence (Lonely Planet Japan). “The ultimate goal of the Project is to bring the house and depopulated village around it back to life, and in doing so offer people an experience like no other in Japan.” www.chiiori.org

Oita AJET Cycle for Charity Event
One weekend every spring, Oita AJET organizes a charity biking event. The sponsorship proceeds go to the UNICEF children's fund. E-mail Oita AJET for details.

Let's Get Hitched
This event has volunteers seek sponsorship as they hitchhike through Japan in order to raise money for The Cambodia Trust Charity. (E-mail) letsgethitched2004@yahoo.co.uk
About Cambodia Trust: http://www.cambodiatrust.org.uk
www.idealist.org
Lists about 50 organizations within Japan you can volunteer with including women’s groups and telephone help lines.

International
Habitat for Humanity (also a SIG)
This international NGO and Christian organization offers the opportunity to join groups or lead groups to various parts of Asia and other parts of the world in order to build homes for the less fortunate. If you join the SIG, you will receive a quarterly newsletter and group e-mails. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/habitatsig or www.habitat.org.

GO MAD (GO Make A Difference)
This organization organizes a group of volunteers to Thailand during winter vacation to help at a Thai orphanage. Fundraisers and collections are taken throughout the year and sent to the orphanage. www.go-mad.org
The Friendship Foundation of American-Vietnamese
Sends a group of volunteers over the Christmas holidays to bring goods to Vietnam on a 2-week mission in order to promote goodwill between Vietnam and the West. Visits are made to Vietnamese orphanages, homes for the handicapped and elderly, churches, and leprosy villages. http://home.covad.net/~ralphb/friendship/

Peace Boat
Based out of Tokyo, this organization “works to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for the environment,” by taking people on an educational tour boat that travels the world. www.peaceboat.