Charity work in

[ibiza]

Hello,

Could anyone point me to any resources dealing with how to get started with charity work in Japan? I have a bit of free time, and I'd really enjoy getting started in some volunteer work over here.

Thanks.

[Taro Toporific]

Could anyone point me to any resources dealing with how to get started with charity work in Japan? I have a bit of free time, and I'd really enjoy getting started in some volunteer work over here..

Drop either of these folks a line and they'll hock up up.

Tokyo English Lifeline. --- counseling hotline for real f'ed gaijin
http://www.telljp.com

ISSHO KIKAKU http://www.issho.org


Also you can check out
CHILDREN RIGHTS COUNCIL JAPAN SITE http://www.crnjapan.com/en/

United For a Multicultural Japan (UMJ) (http://www.tabunka.org), formerly United Front Japan...UMJ addresses more national, macro issues of discrimination in Japan.

The Community,
http://www.debito.org/TheCommunity/communityissues.html

[gkanai]

My friend Ami Dar runs Idealist.org, which might be an interesting place to start looking. I don't know how much Japan-based info they'll have but it should give you a good overview of NPO work as it is a clearinghouse for volunteer information around the world.

http://www.idealist.org/

[gkanai]

Also you can check out
CHILDREN RIGHTS COUNCIL JAPAN SITE (http://www.crcjapan.com)

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE use this url instead

http://www.crnjapan.com/en/

crcjapan is the old url that was lost in a lawsuit.

crnjapan.com is the new url. Please use and promote that one.

Gen

[GomiGirl]

Any preferences?

There is the rice patrol that makes and delivers onigiri to the homeless every morning at around 5am around Tokyo. You can volunteer as a cook or as a delivery person. I have done it a few times and it is really interesting to have chats with some of the dudes in Yoyogi park. There are some interesting stories.

Rice Patrol Ministry - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
It's a new millenium, but some are still homeless and hungry in Tokyo. Rice Patrol takes place the second and third Saturday of each month, when members of St. Alban's gather to make "onigiri" rice cakes at the Franciscan Chapel Centre in Roppongi for distribution to some of Tokyo's homeless people. Volunteers are always needed. We meet at the FCC at 4:30-6:00 p.m. No special skills needed, other than a willingness to get on with the job. It takes about an hour if we have enough people. Please contact St. Alban's if you can help.

St Albans

Also try Yotsuya Onigiri

Also:

General Information
Volunteering in Tokyo Area is an excellent directory published by Foreign Executive Women (FEW). 1500 yen. As of this writing there is only one copy left. The group is currently seeking sponsorship for the next edition.
Tel / fax: 03-3469-9258

TELL Calendar. An 18-month calendar full of useful information and contact numbers. 1500 yen.
tel: 03-3968-4193

International Organizations
Amnesty International (English number) tel: 0467-23-7018
Greenpeace, tel: 03-5351-5400
Refugees International, tel: 03-5500-3094
Shapla Neer, one of the oldest volunteer groups in Japan, focusing on helping people in developing countries help themselves. Many activities in Bangladesh.
Tel: 03-3202-7863, Japanese
website: http:// http://www.shaplaneer.org

Helplines, Helping the Foreign Community in English
TELL (business office), tel: 03-3968-4193,
website: http://www.tell.gol.com
Japan Helpline, tel: 03-5689-8184,
website: http://iac.co.jp/~jhelp/jhlp/jhlp.html

Local Community Help
Franciscan Chapel Center in Roppongi offers may opportunities for volunteers: distributing food to the homeless in Shinjuku and Asakusa, prison visits, reaching out to street children, and helping to increase awareness in Japan of the issue of child prostitution. For details and contact numbers call 03-3401-2141 or check out the website: http://www2.gol.com/users/fcchapel/

Sumida International Club (SIC) is a group of Japanese and foreign residents involved in various community projects. Their motto: Towards a Free, Equal and Borderless Society.
Tel/fax: 03-5610-0273, website:http://member.nifty.ne.jp/SIC

The Tokyo Volunteer Center in Iidabashi serves as the main information center for the district offices. Visit the center to get general information or call 03-3235-1171 to find out the number of the volunteer center in your district. Some examples:
Shinjuku-ku Volunteer Center, tel: 03-3341-7176
Minato-ku Volunteer Center, tel: 03-3431-2081
Meguro-ku Volunteer Center, tel: 03-3714-2534

But for more social activities, try your Embassy. I am involved with the Australia Society - Tokyo and we do social and charity events. All the exec are volunteers and we mainly do it to be involved with the best parties in Tokyo.

[ibiza]

Thanks.

I'll check into those. Just for reference, I'm 20 and living in Koriyama (in Fukushima ken), and I'm really looking for more social activities where I'd be able to meet some nice people in the process.

[GomiGirl]

Thanks.

I'll check into those. Just for reference, I'm 20 and living in Koriyama (in Fukushima ken), and I'm really looking for more social activities where I'd be able to meet some nice people in the process.

My friend lived in Koriyama for a few years. If you like I can put you in contact with her so she can offer some local advice. She has moved away from Japan now but still keeps in contact with lots of folks there.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Tokyo Union Church also does the rice patrol with St. Albans. If you can't be there at 5am for delivery you can always help make the onigiri the day before.