SRI LANKA

JAPANMakiko

Chigira2000 ARI Graduate

2017 ARI Graduate

2017 ARI Graduate

I am from the urbanizing Western region of Sri Lanka
where I am concerned that modernization is distancing
my people from nature. There is a great lack of motivation
to farm in Sri Lanka and I want to share its joys with mypeople. I have returned to ARI to reﬁne my knowledge ofsustainable practices so that I can pass it on to my students
and their families.

My goals are to further my knowledge and skills of organic
farming, gain more understanding of myself throughre�lection, and improve my servant leadership skills. I am
excited to start a GI experimental farm where I can try new
agricultural techniques, re�lect on the results and sharewith the community. The experimental farm will also
show visitors the importance of biodiversity and allow a
space for humans and nature to connect.

As a GI, I would like to focus on putting theory into practiceby spending more time in the Crops and Vegetable section.
I hope to know the reality of organic farmers and to get amore complete understanding of the problems faced byJapanese farmers in society. Also, through raising my own
non- castrated pig, I want to deepen my understanding
about animal welfare.

Niru

Ms. Makiko Takei

Ms. Niranjala Manchanayake

Ms. Chigira Hasumi

Okidro Preschool
Teacher

Advanced Training Course

Training Assistant (TA)

Graduate Intern (GI)ARI Graduates who have worked in their countries for ﬁve
or more years may apply to be a TA. These applicants, whohave demonstrated leadership and accomplishment intheir communities, are invited to come to ARI to assist in
the training of current participants.

A Japanese graduate of ARI is eligible to apply to be a GI.
Graduate Interns focus on one section of the farm in which
they wish to gain deeper understanding and more extensiveexperience. The GI also takes part in all other aspects of ARI
life as an actively contributing community member.

A�ter graduating from the ARI training program, many
Rural Leaders focus on sustainable agriculture in orderto revive their communities. But that’s not all; Graduates also engage in a broad range of causes, such asconservation of the environment, education andmicroﬁnance. Others dedicate their lives to attainrights for women and tribal people, or organize aid forrefugees. Responding thus to the needs of grassroots
people as Servant Leaders, they spread ARI’s spirit of“Living Together” across the world.

Tsurukawa Rural Institute , Theological Seminary for Rural Mission (1960 - 1973)
・South-East Asia Course: 116 graduates, 17 countries

Myanmar (86)

Bhutan (3)China (1)

Nepal (36)Japan (89)Taiwan (2)Pakistan (12)Kenya (28)Burundi (1)Tanzania (21)Malawi (11)Liberia (29)Ghana (20)Togo (1)Palau (1)Thailand (65)

F.S. Micronesia (2)Kiribati (3)ARI does not have an independent source of funds, but relies on the support ofindividuals, churches, and funding organizations to operate the training program.
Furthermore, since ARI actively seeks out people from the most marginalized areas ofthe world, who have few resources to support themselves for this training, ARI helps
them to connect with potential supporters for scholarship assistance. Thus, ARI’s
Rural Leaders Training Program is made possible by supporters' generous contributions.

Sri Lanka (88)

Malaysia (15)Cameroon (28)
Mozambique (1)D.R. Congo (2)Fiji (4)East Timor (5)Zimbabwe (4)Zambia (16)South Africa (3)Philippines (105)Madagascar (2)Benin (2)Brazil (3)Cambodia (6)Ethiopia (5) Bhutan (3)Sierra Leone (13)Ecuador (1)Vietnam (1)Uganda (17*)

Guinea Bissau (1)Trinidad & Tobago (1)The training is practically-oriented. Participants learn through classroom lectures,
discussions and study tours, then put this learning into practice by managing theirown ﬁelds and rice paddies, raising livestock, leading committees, and organizing
events.
The ARI community is almost completely self-su�ﬁcient, with more than 90 percent of
the food consumed coming from its own campus.

Laos (5)South Sudan (1)Nigeria (9)The Gambia (1)El Salvador (5)Located in Tochigi, Japan, Asian Rural Institute (ARI ) trains grassroots
rural leaders who live and work in their native communities, regardless of nationality,
race, religious beliefs, gender, or age. The aim of the training is to facilitate theself-development of rural people, in order to build a more just and peaceful society.

South Korea (39)

India (214)Central African Republic (1)Rural Leaders Training Program

Bangladesh (81)Asian Rural Institute, Rural Leaders Training Center (1973 - 2017)
・Rural Leaders Training Course: 1,180 graduates, 57 countries
・Advanced Training Course: 88 graduates

Cuba (1)Haiti (3)Asian Rural InstituteClass of 2018

Over a thousand graduates

Advanced Training Course

Swaziland (3)Tonga (2)Indonesia (80)Papua New Guinea (8)Lesotho (2)Solomon Islands (5)* includes one stateless refugee

Would you like to invest in the future of Rural Leaders as a supporter?
The costs needed for Rural Leaders toparticipate in our training are mainly
ﬁnanced by donations. Tuition andboard amount to US$ 17,840, and theaverage airfare is US$ 2,300. We arelooking for supporters who will o�fer
ﬁnancial assistance for these leaders totake part. It is an investment in people
who will bring about lasting communitychange. For detailed information, please
visit our website or call our o�ﬁce.

That We May Live TogetherUSACanadaJapanUS citizens may make tax deductible gi�tsto ARI through the American Friends of ARI(AFARI). Make out your check to AFARI andsend it to:American Friends of ARI (AFARI)
c/o J.B. Hoover, Executive Director
1121 N 94th St.
Seattle, WA 98103-3305

Canadian citizens can make a tax deductible
donation to the United Church of Canada tosupport ARI. Cheques payable to the UCC
should be sent to:United Church of Canada
Partners in Mission Unit
3250 Bloor St. W.
Etobicoke, ON M8X 2Y4
Attn: Pat Elson(Please designate "ARI" on the cheque)There are multiple ways of contributing ifyou reside in Japan. Please visit ourwebsite at(http://www.ari-edu.org/en/support/) tolearn more.

or donate online through AFARI at
http://friends-ari.org/Tochigi, Nasushiobara, Tsukinokizawa 442-1 , 329-2703 JAPANTEL +81-287-36-3111 FAX +81-287-37-5833 EMAIL info@ari-edu.org FACEBOOK Asian Rural institute

EAST TIMOR
Beni

Mr. Benigno Simoes Estavao

Mr. Gabriel Gonmei

Gab

Khen

Handmaids of the Sacred Heart ofJesus

Rongmei Baptist AssociationAmri Karbi Baptist AssociationCoordinator

Pastor

Past. Prokhen Phangcho

Field Sta�fI teach agricultural techniques to primary school
students and grow food for the students on the Sister'sfarm. I also work with the local farmers, though mycommunity's limited farming skills make it hard for themto escape poverty. I hope to acquire the skills necessary at
ARI to further the cause of sustainable development inEast Timor.

www.ari-edu.org

INDIA

I work to serve and empower the people of the Peren
District in Nagaland. The Rongmei people are notrecognized as an indigenous tribe, and thus su�fer
negative economic and social consequences. I oversee
natural resource management and agricultural programs.
Currently, I am working to establish integrated farming inthe community.

My community is 80% animist and 20% Christian. Mostsu�fer from poverty, tribal con�lict with the government,
and lack of education. My people are dependent on
agriculture, but still practice old, ine�ﬁcient farming
techniques. At ARI, I hope to learn about community
building and servant leadership so I can help people fromall faiths living in my community.

INDONESIAPHILIPPINES
JoeChlaodhius

Past. Chlaodhius Budhianto

PastorI come from a community where 99% of the residents
engage in farming. Recent neighboring volcanic activity
has dramatically hurt the crop yield and the livelihood ofthe community. I am the faith leader of the community,and have come to ARI to learn better ways to help mypeople through new and innovative farming practices.

MYANMAR

Mr. Eric Ofosu Annoah

Mr. Kwabena Frempong Fening

KwabenaJohn

Tublay Organic Farming Practitioner'sAssociation, Inc.

Methodist Church of Ghana, Winneba
Diocese

Methodist Church of Ghana, Koforidua
DiocesePeace Love Vegetable Growers Association (PLVGA)

Internal control system manager

Society Steward and Youth O�ﬁcer

Agric Project Director

Chairman of Farmers' Association

EricMs. Concepcion Sotero

Gereja Batak Karo Protestan (GBKP)

Pastor

I come from a rural community consisting of farmersand cow breeders. I work to combat the socio-economic
obstacles that keep my congregation in poverty throughagricultural training on model farms. I hope to update mytechnical skills and become a more e�fective community
leader through the training at ARI.

ConniePast. Joe Charis Ginting

Christian Church From Northern
Central Java (GKJTU)

GHANAIt is my joy to both help farmers obtain organic
certiﬁcation and plan educational agricultural activities
for my community. I am motivated by my desire to help
the local farmers attain stronger voices within theircommunities. As a practicing farmer, I want to share myknowledge of natural pest management and agricultural
record-keeping.

My community consists mainly of subsistence or peasantfarmers who produce staple foods such as maize, cassava,and plantains. I work with the church youth, mainly
getting them engaged in agriculture. I specialize inapiculture, and want to grow my beekeeping businessfrom 20 to 100 hives in three years.

I work to improve the livelihood of my local community,
which is mostly composed of peasant farmers. Our areasu�fers from extreme rains, as well as terrible droughts.
I have been the guiding force behind several projects,
including the establishment of a piggery, apiary, andplantations for mangoes, maize, and mushrooms.

SRI LANKA

GHANA

SIERRA LEONE

Mr. John Yeboah

I established my organization to help develop ruralcommunities where there are high illiteracy rates anddeforestation due to bushﬁres. I strive to empower themarginalized in these communities, especially women,
through programs such as the Functional Literacy Project,
and a Micro Financing Project.

Lar

Thet Paing

Nilani

Josephine

SannohMambudShweli Shan Baptist Mission Convention,
Myanmar Baptist Convention

Pwo Karen Baptist Conference,
Myanmar Baptist Convention

Siddhartha Child Development
Foundation

Grassroots Socio Economic Empowerment (GSEE)Friends of the Earth Sierra Leone

Single Leg Amputee Sports Association(SLASA)

Project Director

Project Coordinator, Church andCommunity Mobilization Program

Founder, Director

Women's Leader

Mr. Thet Paing Aung

Rev. Lar Dar Wi

I come from a diverse community that su�fers from alack of knowledge, which prevents the full utilization oflocal resources. I have led programs to promote
understanding between faith groups through awarenesstraining, prayer meetings, and shared celebrations. Myfocus at ARI will be to study group-learning techniques
which I can apply to my own multi-faith, multi-culturalcommunity.

My goal is to foster a positive social environment amongst
my people. I hope to accomplish this through theintroduction of appropriate farming technologies and afair marketplace. I have led projects on rice bank creation,
as well as established successful piggery. At ARI, I hope toincrease my knowledge of micro-ﬁnance and tube wellsubjects, as these are both important for my community's
development.

SRI LANKAERITREA

Ms. Josephine Antwi

Ms. Nilani Weragoda Vidanelage

I have devoted my life to helping the children of Sri Lanka.
In addition to o�fering education opportunities andempowerment workshops to children, I am constantly
looking for ways to improve the community. At ARI, I wantto learn more about organic agriculture so I can o�fer bothchildren and their parents an alternative to the use ofagro-chemicals.

I am from a remote village, 12 km away from the closest
school and health center. As a woman leader, I mentor
farmers and work to empower the women in my community through counseling and workshops. At ARI, I hope toenhance my knowledge of agriculture, servant leadershipand community building.

Mr. Mambu Alpha Sannoh
Secretary, Field O�ﬁcer

My community is surrounded by forest land and is composed of farmers and miners (coal, stone, and diamonds).
My organization is mainly focused on deforestation. I
give agricultural training to farmers, work with adults andschools to educate children on the negative impacts ofdeforestation, and campaign for a healthier community.

ZAMBIA
Adiam

BerhaneEstherMr. Berhane Ethiopia Hagos

Sr. Esther Miti

Asia Lanka Social Development Corporation (ALSDC)

Ministry of Agriculture the State of Eritrea

Ministry of Agriculture the State of Eritrea

Good Shepherd Sisters

Good Shepherd Sisters

Parish Sister

Secretary GeneralField O�ﬁcerAgronomist

I work to promote better farming techniques and leadprojects in rural communities to alleviate poverty. Myﬁrst-hand knowledge of Sri Lanka's rural communities
allows me to tailor programs to their needs. Recently, I
led a home gardening program in a community that wasexperiencing urban infringement.

Ms. Adiam Rezene BerheI spread new agricultural knowledge and materials (suchas seeds) to indigenous communities. I am a strong
believer in the importance of harmonizing indigenousand scientiﬁc knowledge. At ARI, I hope to learn di�ferent
information sharing techniques and how to integrate
local, indigenous knowledge with modern technologies.

MALAWI
StellaVeh

My community consists of subsistence farmers,
small scale irrigation practitioners, and bee keepers. I
specialize in horticulture, apiculture, and environmentaldevelopment. I hope the training at ARI will develop
my Rural Leadership Skills, and I can share this with mycommunity back home.

I am involved in pastoral work and am responsible for coordinating the teaching of catechism, guilds, and visiting thesick and disadvantaged people. My community consists ofsubsistence farmers from mixed cultures found in Zambia.
The Sisters also support themselves by farming. At ARI, I
am eager to learn more agricultural and leadership skills
that I can use on the parish farm and share when I visit
people in my parish.

KENYA

JAPANCaroline

Ms. Caroline Nyamache

Mary Consoler of the A��licted

Maziko Radio Station

Sister, Project Manager

Radio Presenter, Program Producer

Lake Victoria Permaculture Group(LVPG)

Kaoru

Ms. Kaoru Kobayashi

Project Manager

My calling is to work among the very poor of society, toconsole them and help them with their challenges, bothman-made and natural. Currently, I work in a farming
community where most live in poverty. Due to increasingly
irregular rain patterns, people are going hungry. At ARI,
I hope to gain agricultural, community building, andleadership knowledge.

I use the power of radio to get information to the people
and host programs to promote empowerment of womenand local farmers. Topics include childhood nutritional
needs, maternal health, women empowerment programs,and women's rights. I also conduct interviews of mycommunity members, so farmers and mothers can learn
from each other.

PriscillaSr. Priscilla Ngandwe Mbewe

Agriculture Extention ManagerMs. Venitta Kaduya

Sr. Stella Ephraim Notice

My community su�fers from poverty, environmental
degradation, and health problems caused by populationpressure, climate change, and the HIV/ AIDS pandemic.
I work to address these challenges, many of which
are felt most by the rural women. I am responsible forproject design, resource mobilization, and personnel
management.

Program Coordinator, Pastor

In Sierra Leone, many youths live with amputations in
the wake of the civil war. Using the sport of soccer, I workto empower these young adults and give them hope. Ialso o�fer classes on computers, ﬁnancing, agri-science,nutrition, and food security. At ARI, I hope to learn moreon agriculture, and to grow my network of supporters.

UGANDA

MaduMs. Nisansala Maduwanthi Hetti Arachi

Past. Mambud Kestine Samai

Before ARI, I worked both with struggling immigrants andfor a Japanese confectionary as a product developer. Mydecision to come to ARI was based on the disconnection I
witnessed between food producers and consumers, as wellas the marginalization of immigrants. I hope to gain skills
to empower immigrants and the producers, who are o�tenstruggling rural farmers.

I ensure the congrecation's operations are runningsmoothly by coordinating meetings, traveling for thesisters, and overseeing programs. I am involved in foodprocessing at “Apollo Farm”, which grows food with thesister's support. At ARI, I hope to learn more about organic
agriculture, so I can o�fer my community an alternative tothe use of agrochemicals.

PeterRev. Peter Mukasa Bakaluba
Mukono Diocese, Anglican Communionof Uganda
Rural Development O�ﬁcer, PriestI seek to empower my community of ﬁshermen, rural
peasant farmers, and cattle keepers who use rudimentary
farming techniques. I am working to achieve this throughsensitization workshops, development seminars, andhands on assistance in their daily lives. I am eager to learnorganic farming and biogas production techniques at ARI,
as well as develop my servant leadership skills.