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That We May Live Together
2022 Annual Report
April 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023

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colorThat We May Live Together
2022 Annual ReportAt this time, we are not able to say the COVID-19
pandemic is over. However, for the FY2022 training
program, ARI welcomed 31 students from 14 countries
around the world. This was a big change from previous
years during the pandemic in which ARI was not able towelcome anyone from abroad. This year’s class included
participants who had been waiting to enroll since 2020.
With the addition of two Training Assistants and three
Graduate Interns, a total of 36 individuals showed that
ARI once again had a diverse and vibrant community. Of
course, we were still restricted and had to wear masks,
place partitions between community members during
meals, and canceled homestays. However, we were able toprovide a place where rural leaders from around the world
could gather to study the growth and development of asociety where people can live together based on a lifestylethat values “food” and “life.” For this we express our sincere
gratitude for the support of so many people.
However, when we turn our eyes to the world, we seethat FY2022 brought chaos and disasters that made us wantto cover our eyes. The plight of the people under the military regime in Myanmar and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
caused many people to suffer and created a ripple effectthroughout the world. The tensions between major powers
continue to cause further pain and anxiety to many societies and individuals already weakened by the pandemic.
How has ARI reacted to and responded to these turbulent times? ARI is but a small player, like a ship floatingin rough waters. However, I am convinced that the path
to be taken going forward is one set by God. Our ship did
not capsize, and instead reaffirmed our strengthened resilience after the long-term effects of both COVID-19 and the2011 earthquake. At ARI, we aim to train rural leaders who
can effectively serve people, and gather those who aspire
to learn in the community and overcome various difficulties. Many people who wanted to create the training at
ARI came together and cooperated to make it happen. In
addition, many young people who wanted to experiencesuch learning joined in and gave momentum to ARI as it
approaches its 50th anniversary.
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of
ARI. In the Old Testament, 50 years is known as the Yearof Jubilee, and it was written as a year in which people
were freed from various hardships. Therefore, the Yearof Jubilee is said to represent redemption, liberation, andrebirth. Starting from the Year of Jubilee, ARI has set thetheme for the next the 50th year as “Learning Together fora Rural Future”. Under this theme, we have set out a plan towork comprehensively in five areas: “Peace from the Soil,”“FoodLife,” “Climate Justice and Climate Action,” “Education,” and “Organization.” We hope that you will continue toremember ARI in your prayers, and continue your support
and cooperation as we start a new path forward.

Wearing Yukata danated by Baptist Women’s group

Index
Nurturing Rural LeadersParticipants kept waiting, and then...
Curriculum

8

Open Learning
Finally Open!
Study Camp Highlights
Event and Project Highlights
Toshimasa Yamamoto
Board Chair

Tomoko Arakawa
Director

9

Painstakingly with Time and Care
Yield of Major Farm Products in 2022
Using Local Resources and Protecting
against Infectious Diseases
That We May ‘Eat’ Together

14
15
16
17

10

Together with Supporters

Community Life after COVID-19
The Music is Back!
Community Members

Graduates at Work

Foodlife at ARI
4

12
13

Opening ARI to the World Again
Our Supporters & Partners
Synergy Creates the Powerto Move Forward

Traveling with University Students toIndonesian Graduates
Koinonia Round Table Discussions
A CNN Changemaker
Sharing Seeds
Food and Education
My Community Has Food

22
24
25

18
19

Other Topics

20

2022 Snapshots
Financial Report
2022 Graduates

21
26
28

Nurturing Rural Leaders

Nurturing
Rural Leaders“

Community of Learning

Coming to ARI has transformed myway of life and thinking towards a
number of different aspects of life.
Through our differences as people
who lived in the ARI community, we
have a commitment to do our best andtransform the world slowly but surely
wherever we shall all be.

The Rural Leaders Training Program

Timothy Sentamu (Uganda)

Participants kept waiting,and then...
The 2022 Rural Leaders Training Program

The greatest feature of this year’s program was the fact that
we could not start the training program with everyone all at
once. With the uncertainty that the border might close again
at any moment, the participants came to Japan in a steadystream, one by one, as soon as their visas were obtained, and theprogram was in a constant state of orientation. Supplementarylectures were also held many times. At the same time, however,a culture of mutual assistance was fostered, with participants
who had already started their training following up with those
who arrived late, and I feel that it was a very good year for mutual
relations. I believe that this attitude of caring for, encouraging,and learning from each other was the actualization of one of
the three pillars of ARI’s training program, a “community oflearning”.
Of course, it was not always easy and there were times when
opinions and ideas clashed. In the beginning, some participants
were at a loss because they did not understand English. There
were also those who almost lost sight of what they needed tolearn. There were times when the cultural differences andthe difficulty of the schedule made them feel depressed. Morethan once, I heard participants express their desire to stop thetraining and return home. There were also concerns about thedeteriorating security situation in their home countries and thehealth of their families. Some participants’ hometowns experienced disasters. Nevertheless, the participants completed theirtraining with the support of volunteers, staff, training assistants,
and graduate interns, and above all, with their own prayers foreach other.

Yukiko Ôyanagi

Associate Director
Curriculum CoordinatorI

n FY2022, with God’s abundant grace and guidance, 31 participants from 14 countries were able to successfully complete
their training. We would like to thank all those who supported
this program both materially and spiritually.
With the spread of COVID-19 infections throughout theworld, 19 prospective participants had to give up their plans tocome to Japan in FY2020, and in FY2021 no one was able to travel
to Japan from overseas. Of the applicants accepted in the 2020
and 2021 academic years who did not give up on the training
program and those who were accepted in the 2022 academic
year, those who were still able to became the participants for thisyear. However, at the beginning of the training in April, there
were only 6 participants of the Rural Leaders Training Courseand 3 Graduate Interns, so we were still a little anxious as thetraining program got underway. The first overseas arrival was
an Indonesian Training Assistant on April 20 and two Guatemalan participants on April 21. After that, they came to Japan
one after another, and by June 8, almost all had arrived at ARI.
The participants were very eager to learn, and they continued
to learn and grow until the day of their graduation.

4

THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHERANNUAL REPORT 2022

(Photo above) Studying in class(Photo bottom) Consultation by staff

5

Nurturing Rural Leaders

Nurturing Rural Leaders
April

May

The Opening Ceremony included only 6 participants: 4 from Japan,
and 2 Ethiopians already in Japan, with 3 Japanese Graduate Interns.
(Middle, seated: ARI Director and Board Chair.)June
By the end of May, the number of participants had increased considerably, so we hosted asecond, informal entrance ceremony.

AugustA classroom atmosphere almost like before COVID-19

July

Leadership Learning from Practice
ARI is a school that trains rural leaders. Many participantscome to ARI to gain the knowledge and skills they need to workin rural communities. In response to this desire, ARI’s training
programs are designed to develop grassroots leaders. Classes
cover a wide range of topics, including leadership skills andattitudes, knowledge and techniques of sustainable agriculture,environmental issues, and peace building. Classroom learning
must be put into actual practice in daily life. Participants taketurns serving as leaders during morning and evening workin the fields, caring for livestock, and cooking in the kitchen.
Participants also take the lead in Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration events and study trips. It is a challenge to lead classmates
who have experience as leaders in the local community, and tocommunicate and facilitate in English, a language that is nottheir own. They are expected to lead even the staff. Through suchdaily practice, each participant deepened his or her thoughts
about what it means to be a servant leader, reflected on themselves, and grew in confidence. I believe that this was a learning
experience that could not be acquired only through classes orhead knowledge.
We hope that these graduates will continue to work toward
their own visions because their vision is not just for themselves,
but for the good of others. We are proud that ARI was able to bea part of their growth as they hope to realize a happy future for
their communities.

Training Highlights“

I have been living my life of learningin ARI, I become from nothing tosomething, was able to learn fromeverything. It’s not easy just to makeeverything what I learned in ARI happen
but I want to start from the small step tobring something big. Start from what I
have around me, what a need of people
around me. This kind of thinking thatbring me to my realizations “what you
need is around you”.

October

A resource map prepared in class, referenced during staff meeting

September

Tabita Pricillia Rahawarin (Indonesia)

Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration with guests for the first time in two years. This
year’s theme was “Save the World through Our Differences”.

NovemberWestern Japan Study Tour, group photo at Hiroshima A-Bomb Dome

6

THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHERANNUAL REPORT 2022

December

31 participants and 1 Graduate Intern successfully graduated.

7

Curriculum
Cur r iculum(* Special Lecturer)

Leadership Courses
Leadership at ARI
Servant Leadership
ARI History and Mission
Participatory Learning and Action
Independent Study
Presentation Skills
The Art of Storytelling
Time Management
Facilitation Skills
Effective Feedback
Implementation of Facilitation
Religion and Rural Life
Report Writing
Who is a Rural Leader?
Who is an ARI Community Member?
Social Business
Peace & Reconciliation
Fundraising
Dignity Workshop

Tomoko Arakawa
Tomoko Arakawa, Yukiko Ôyanagi
Tomoko Arakawa
Tomoko Arakawa, Yukiko Ôyanagi
Yukiko Ôyanagi
Yukiko Ôyanagi
Steven Cutting
Timothy Bernard Appau
Yukiko Ôyanagi, Manosi Abe Chatterjee
Manosi Abe Chatterjee
Manosi Abe Chatterjee
Jonathan McCurley, Timothy Bernard Appau
Manosi Abe Chatterjee
Steven Cutting
Manosi Abe Chatterjee*Satoko Kôno (NPO ARUN Seed)*Keiko Holmes (Agape World)*Sherry DeLeon (AFARI)*Jeffrey Mensendiek (J.F. Oberlin University)

Sustainable Farming Skills
Organic Farming
Crops & Vegetables
Rice Cultivation
Livestock
Chicken Raising
Disease Control of Crops & Vegetables
Disease Control of Livestock
Dangers of Chemical Farming
Natural Farming in Tropical Areas
Alternative Marketing Systems
Biogas Workshop
Hydraulic Ram Pump Workshop
Agroforestry
Agricultural TechniqueLivestock Technique
Meat Processing

Osamu Arakawa
Osamu Arakawa
Osamu Arakawa
Takashi Ôtani, Ryô Maki
Timothy Bernard Appau
Osamu Arakawa, Masanobu Sakurai
Takashi Ôtani, Timothy Bernard Appau, Ryô Maki
Masanobu Sakurai*Shimpei Murakami (Self Sufficient Life)*Reina Tomatsu (Kinoshijuku Farm)*Mamoru Kuwabara (NPO Fudo)*Tstutomu Shibata*Tetsuya Tsukamoto (Tochigi Conservation Corps)
Osamu Arakawa, Masanobu Sakurai
Takashi Ôtani, Timothy Bernard Appau, Ryô Maki
Takashi Ôtani, *Hideo Koide (Neu Frank Nasu)

Development Theory
Nutrition
Mutual Aid Theory
Gender Theory
Localization
Environment and Development
Ashio Copper Mine and Shozo Tanaka
Climate Change Education
Nasu Canal and Rural Development
School Lunches and Food Education
Issues of Homelessness in Japan

Ikumi Kanamori
Yukiko Ôyanagi
Tomoko Arakawa*Yôji Kamata (NPO Ancient Futures Association Japan)*Masahisa Satô (Tokyo City University)*Tatsuo Sakahara (NPO Tanaka Shôzo University)*Yoshiyuki Nagata (University of the Sacred Heart)
Yukiko Ôyanagi
Ikumi Kanamori
Yukiko Ôyanagi, Manosi Abe Chatterjee

Graduate Seminar
Organizational Sustainability*Wesley Lingga (1993 graduate, 1999 TA from Indonesia)

Japanese Language and Culture

Kyôko Ogura*

Organic Farming Training
Crops & Vegetables: Bokashi making, compost making,collection and utilization of indigenous micro-organisms, fermented plant juice, fish amino acid, water-soluble calcium, natural farming, rice husk charcoal, seedcollecting, seedling nursing with soil blocks
Livestock: Pigs (artificial insemination, delivery,
castration), chickens (brooding), livestock disease
control, feed formulation, fermented feed production,
animal raising with fermented floor
Meat processing: sausage, ham, jerky

8

Field Management Activities
Group farm management (crop & vegetable cultivation,
livestock management)
Foodlife Work (farm work and food preparation for
self-sufficiency)
Group leadership system

Open Learning
Programs

Field Tr ips
Agriculture-Related Tours and Study
Tochigi: Kinôshijuku, Manmaru Farm, Donkame
Compost Center, Hamanaka Farm, Furuya Farm,
Green Farm Mizuguchi, NPO Rice Research Center
Saitama: Yoshinori Kaneko/Muneo Kaneko,Ryûichi Tashita, Mamoru Kuwabara
Other Observation Tours and Study
Tochigi: Ashio Copper Mine Pollution Case Study(Matsuki Village ruins, Ashio Copper Mine smelter
ruins), Watarase basin, Clean Center Ôtawara, Utsunomiya Kita High School, Nishinasuno Church,
Nasushiobara Church, Home Church Zion, Ôtawara
Church, Oyama Church, Kanuma Church, Kanuma
Kirisuto Church, Shioya Ichiryû Church, Tochigi Church,
Utsunomiya Uemachi Church, Ashikaga Higashi Church,
Ujiie Church, Mashiko Church
Gunma: Shimamura Church, Ôta Hachiman Church
Ibaraki: Ryûgasaki Church
Western Japan Study TourTokyo: Theological Seminary for Rural Mission
Shizuoka: St. Christopher JHS/HS, St. Christopher
Gakuen University, Enshû Eikô Church, Shinobu
Yamanaka
Mie: Ainô Gakuen HSÔsaka: Ôsaka YMCA, NPO Kamagasaki Shien Kikô,
Nojukusha Network, Kansai Okinawa Bunko,
NSKK Ikuno Center, Hiraku Gakkô, Kibogaoka Church
Hiroshima: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum,
Keiko Ogura (Testimony)
Kumamoto: Ayumu Takezaki, Nahoko Osawa,Karatachi, Minamata Disease Museum,
Shinobu Sakamoto (Testimony), Akiko Ishihara,
Tetsuro Yoshimoto

iLEAP Study Camp

Finally Open!
Open Learning
Fundraising & Domestic
Programs Report
Other Training
Community work (rice transplanting, rice harvesting,forest management, etc), activities to promote spiritual
growth (morning gathering, consultation, reflection
paper, reflection day), oral presentations, Harvest
Thanksgiving Celebration, international fellowship
programs, observation trips, Rural Community Study
Tour, Western Japan Study Tour, etc

THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHER

Takashi Yamashita

Fundraising & Domestic Programs(External Programs,
Nasu Seminar House Manager)

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

O

ne of the greatest challenges withstudy camps and short-term learningis, if you need to join in-person, the COVID19 pandemic restrictions made it impossible to come to campus. ARI’s open learning
programs, hosting college students andcampers for several days of workshops andFoodlife work, became extremely difficult
to operate.
We have heard many young people
who have been restricted in various waysby the COVID-19 pandemic give up and say,
“I just can't do it.” We were also unable toconduct most of ARI's camp programs forthe past two years so we ourselves havefelt frustrated and helpless in not being
able to fulfill our role. Our hope was thatin 2022, we would be able to release thepent-up feelings of the young people who

had been deprived of their experiences, andto “share learning and fun at ARI!” With
this in mind, we chose the theme for thisyear's Open Learning Program as "Open!
A Safe, Exciting Place to Return.”
This year we welcomed more than 1,000
people, and thanks to careful measurestaken to prevent new strains of COVID-19
infection, we did not have a single infectedparticipant. After a long wait, we were able
to “Open!” and share a peaceful and exciting time with the participants.

9

Open Learning Programs

Open Learning Programs

July“ ARI is a place

DecemberJulywhere I can be my best self.

January

Study
Camp
Highlights

International Christian University & Christian FellowshipJiyûnomori Gakuen High School

Kôsei Gakuen Girls' High School“ ARI waslike a big house.

Augustfelt that I could spend my“ Itimeso freely. I was so happy
to be able to sing, dance, pray,
and eat with everyone. . .every
single experience was warmand happy.
JELA

St. Olaf College

Groups visiting for in Study Camps
Domestic: Religions for Peace Japan, Permaculture Design
Course, Setsunan University, Ferris University, Univ of Tsukuba
High School at Sakado, International Christian University &Student Christian Fellowship, International Christian University
Reconciliation Forum, Jiyûnomori Gakuen High School, Japan
Evangelical Lutheran Association, Kyôai Gakuen High School,
Kyôto Seika University, Meiji Gakuin University, Niijima Gakuen
Junior College, Meiji University - Terada Lab, J.F.Oberlin
University, Keisen University, Dôshisha University ARI Project,
University of the Sacred Heart (online), Agroecology ResearchGroup, Dôshisha University Maasa Seminar, Kôsei Gakuen Girls’High School, Rikkyô University YMCA, Risshô Kôseikai Gakurin
Buddhist Seminary
International: iLEAP, San Francisco Troop 12, St. Olaf College

was the first time for me to dig“ Itsweet
potatoes. I realized that
April

Chocotto Farm: Co-hosted a family
farm experience event with Sannohachi,
an organic produce store in Nasushiobara City.

May

Event &
Project
Highlights

you can really learn a lot frominteracting with people. The sweet
potato rice was very delicious!

Jan ~ March

May, Jun, Oct, Nov
November

Used Book Fair: This event, where we sell books donated from acrossJapan and homemade Indian curry, has been a greater success each year.
Thyroid Echo Check: Hosted by Kantô Children's HealthStudy Support Fund. ARI was the venue for this event,offering thyroid checkups to local residents.

July

February

Off-grid House Construction: Construction of an
off-grid house with the involvement of visitors andvolunteers. See page 21 for details.

Camp to Visit Indonesian Graduates: First overseas study tour infive years. See page 22 for details.

English Farm Camp: The annual event during Golden Week for families to experience both farming and English.
ARI Friends Day: This was the first attempt to combine a supporters'
gathering and a Marché. See page 20 for details.

10

THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHERANNUAL REPORT 2022

11

Community Life
after COVID-19

Community Members
Staf fTomoko Arakawa
Osamu Arakawa
Yukiko Ôyanagi
Kaori Sakuma-Vero
Kathy Froede
Manosi Abe Chatterjee
Kai Shinoda
Steven Cutting
Junko Tanaka
Timothy B. Appau
Jonathan McCurley
Meredith Maki (~Feb. 2023)
Satomi McCurley
Masanobu Sakurai
Takashi Ôtani
Ryô Maki (~Feb. 2023)
Ikumi Kanamori
Ramon Labial
Raku Izawa
Yuka Sugisaki
Kaori AndôTakashi Yamashita
Ruyipa Vero
Noriko Nakayama (~Aug)
Hiromi Satô
Masayo FukushimaYûko EmuraB oardDirector
Associate Director, Education Director, Farm Manager (Foodlife)
Associate Director, Curriculum Coordinator
General Manager (General Affairs)
Ecumenical Relations
Curriculum (Admissions)
Curriculum (Admissions, 50th Anniversary)
Curriculum (Graduate Outreach)
Curriculum (Library)
Chaplain, Curriculum (Community Life), Foodlife (Livestock)
Chaplain, Curriculum (Community Life)
Curriculum (Community Life)
Curriculum (Community Life)
Foodlife (Crops & Vegetables)
Foodlife (Livestock)
Foodlife (Livestock)
Foodlife (FEAST)
Foodlife (FEAST)
General Affairs
General Affairs (Accounting)General Affairs
Fundraising & Domestic Programs(External Programs & Nasu Seminar House Manager)
Fundr. & Dom. Pr. (Nasu Seminar House Caretaker)
Fundr. & Dom. Pr. (PR, External Programs)
Fundr. & Dom. Pr. (Sales, PR)
Fundr. & Dom. Pr. (Food Processing)Fundr. & Dom. Pr. (Supporter’s Support, PR)

O ut s ourcing Staf fThomas Itsuo Fujishima
Jun Yagisawa

The Music is Back!
Community Life Report

Meredith Maki
Community Life(~Feb. 2023)

A

fter two years of running the Rural
Leaders Training Program with ten
Participants or fewer, we were amazedat the overflow of overseas Participants
who arrived in 2022. A phrase often heard
around ARI was, “Well, we never thought
they would actually all be able to come.” But
come they did - little by little, until finallyin June, the class of 2022 was complete.

The delay in arrivals meant that it tooktime for the ARI Community to take shapeand gain a sense of identity. Yet, there was asense of anticipation and celebration too, as
newly coming Participants were announced
each week and greeted with applause at themiracle of their arrival. Each new groupthen became an “old” group, ready to show
the ropes to the next group of arrivals, andso on, until both dorms were completely
full. Not only the dorms, the classroom, thedining hall, the outside stage - everywhere
you looked - was full of people.
Of course, the fullness expressed itself
in more than just occupied space. To me,
the phrase that kept popping into my head
was, “The music is back!” Not to say that
there was no music in the previous years,
but in 2022 Participants from both Asia andAfrica could be heard singing and playing
music from morning to night - piano, guitar,clapping, drumming, singing, dancing,shouting. The gospel choir was packed.

Chairpersons often invited people to singor get up and dance during their Morning
Gatherings. Music and singing on bus rides
was so loud you could hear it from outside
the bus. National anthems were sung atFood Culture Nights. People even sangand danced after group meetings before
morning cleaning and Foodlife Work.
This was a year in which a spirit of joy
was prevalent. Perhaps it was because someof the Participants had been waiting for two
years to come. Perhaps it was because many
people continued to face trouble back home
- not only due to the pandemic but also due
to political unrest and natural disasters. In
any case, there was a sense of appreciation.
People were grateful to be alive and grateful to be together at ARI. We never thought
they would actually all be able to come. But
we are so glad that they did! The music isback - and we are full of joy!

Branding, ID System Designer, Media Designer
Media Designer, Editor

Board
Rev. Masaoki Hoshino (~May)
Rev. Toshimasa Yamamoto (June~)
Vice Chair
Rev. Toshimasa Yamamoto (~May)
Hideharu Kadowaki (June~)

Board of Directors
Tomoko Arakawa
Rev. Yoshiya Ushiroku
Rev. Hikari Kokai Chang
Noriaki SatôYoshiyuki Nagata
Rev. Eiji YahagiRev. Masaoki Hoshino
Auditors
Tomohiro Ôkubo
Sakae Murata

Fujii Industries Inc., Operating Officer
Nasu Y’s Mens Club

Masahiko Yamane

B oard of Councilor s
Osamu Arakawa
Tomoko Arakawa
Shinobu Awaya
Takuya Iizuka
Rev. Kôshi Itô

Mieko Uno

Commuting Volunteers
Food Life (Farm): Tetsu Hayashi, Mizuki Watanabe, Sunao Iso, Miya Ômori, Momoka
Sekiya, Sachito Watabe, Mariko Fujiyoshi, Yûko Kazama
Foodlife (FEAST): Yûko Kimura, Yumi Suzuki, Kyôko Takamura, Kanako Murayama, Chieko
Arakawa
Fundr. & Dom. Pr. (Sales, PR): Mie Inomata, Shigeaki Kashiwaya, Mayuko Sugita, Norie
Horiuchi, Takashi Miyake, Christy Appau, Chizuru Azuma, Rebecca Namiki, Desilba
Bijendora
General Affairs(Maintenance): Masuo Shimizu, Taku Fushimi, Yukio Ide
General Affairs(Management): Takayuki Hayasaka
General Affairs: Nozomi Hiratsuka
Becquerel Center
Mineki Nishikawa, Shôhei Fujimoto (& Sales)
Long-Term Volunteers
Motoko Okazaki, Yûichirô Kubo, Yuki Tanigaki (FEAST, Farm), Aiki Satô (Farm)
Emmi Harner (FEAST, Admissions), Marie Kessler (FEAST, Graduate Outreach)Henning Nalbach (Farm, Ecumenical), Claire Orner (Ecumenical, FEAST, Farm)
Rusty Orner (FEAST, Farm), Jannik Friedrich (PR, Farm)

Tomohito Ebine
Yukiko Ôyanagi
Hideharu Kadowaki
Rev. Isao Kikuchi
Rev. Hikari Kokai Chang
Kaori Sakuma-VeroRev. Chun SangHyun
Yoshiyuki Nagata
Rev. Ban HyungWook
Rev. Masaoki Hoshino
Ikkô Marutani
Takashi Yamashita
Masahiko Yamane
Sarajean Rossitto
Hitomi Yokote (Feb. 2023~)

THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHERANNUAL REPORT 2022

Associate Director, Asian Rural Institute
Director, Asian Rural Institute
Lawyer, Tono-Tanami Law Office
Chair, Committee of Mission of UCCJ KantôDistrict; Pastor of Ryûgasaki Church
Parish Priest, Roman Catholic Dioceseof Niigata
Member of Central Committee, National Tomono Kai; Member of Yokohama Tomo no Kai
Provincial, Society of the Sacred Heart Japan
Province
Board Chair, Legend Partners Ltd.
Associate Director, Asian Rural InstituteSpecial Advisor and Senior Fellow
Archbishop, Roman Catholic Archdioceseof Tokyo
Representative Director, Wesley Foundation
General Manager, Asian Rural InstitutePastor, The Korean Christian Church in Japan,
Sapporo Church
Professor, University of the Sacred Heart
Pastor, UCCJ Nishinasuno Church
Former Pastor, UCCJ Aikawa Mission
Representative Director, NPO Kino Kankyô
Staff, Asian Rural Institute
Former board member, Kagawa Education
Institute of Nutrition
NGO/NPO Consultant
Former Executive Officer, Japan Association
for the World Food Programme

A dvis or
Hôichi Endô

12

Former Professor, Kwansei Gakuin Univ.
Special Advisor and Senior Fellow,
The Japan Research Institute, Limited.

Director, Asian Rural InstitutePastor, UCCJ Reinanzaka Church
Representative Director, Wesley Foundation
Special Advisor, Hotel Sunvalley Nasu
Professor, University of the Sacred Heart
Pastor, NSKK Shimodate Anglican-Episcopal Church
Former Managing Director, Kagawa
Education Institute of Nutrition
Former Pastor, UCCJ Aikawa Mission

Sachiko Iwaya

Volunte er s

Former Pastor, UCCJ Aikawa Mission
Former Professor, Kwansei Gakuin Univ.

Former Staff, Asian Rural Institute13

Foodlife at ARI

Foodlife at ARI

Yield of Major Farm Products
Crops & Vegetable
781kg
UP!
2022

8,169 kg

2021

2,553kgUP!

3,914 kg

Rice

Carrots

150kg
DOWN

2,881 kg

Wheat

146kg
UP!

1,490kg
UP!

675kg
UP!

Others781kg
UP!

1,951 kg

1,931 kg

1,883 kg

1,773 kg

Soybeans

Sweet potatoes

Potatoes

OnionsPumpkins
337 kg
Garlic207 kgBlueberries
101 kgBlack soybeans 58 kg
Egoma
55 kg
Kiwi
4 kg

Livestock
7,775
DOWN

111,914 eggs

85
UP!

1
UP!

332 heads

55 heads

2
DOWN

203l
UP!

909 liters

5 heads

Eggs

Painstakinglywith Time andCareCrops & Vegetables Report

Masanobu Sakurai

Foodlife (Crops & Vegetables)

14T

he joy of the harvest soon turned tosurprise! In a single day, we harvested more carrots than we possibly could
imagine. The total yield was 3,914 kg, thehighest in ARI’s history. We were blessedwith good weather in 2022 so we were able
to harvest a large quantity of high quality,
good tasting carrots with few roots andcracks.
By mid-August, in the middle ofsummer, participants and volunteers begin
sowing carrot seeds. Seven to eight small
seeds are sown at a time in one place, andthen watering is kept up to promote germination. Although we try to suppress weeds
by covering them with biodegradable paper
mulch, it is essential to remove weeds thatgrow out of the crevices. At ARI, where we
practice organic agriculture, we use ourhands to carefully pull out weeds from theroots. In the middle of the growing season,
we thin out the seedlings, leaving only one

carrot plant per one spot to encourage
enlargement. After weeding between the
furrows several times, all that is left to do iswait for the harvest at the end of November
and in December.
After harvesting, the soil is cleaned off
the carrots so they can be sent to the workshop where carrot juice will be produced.
The carrots are arranged neatly on the floor
and dried thoroughly, then packed tightly
into cardboard boxes and finally shipped.
After about a month, over 6,300 bottles ofcarrot juice were delivered to ARI. If you
had a chance to visit Japan in 2023, we hope
you could enjoy the quality of our 2022
carrots.
Each task must be done carefully andpainstakingly. This year’s carrot cultivation allowed us to experience firsthandthe importance of this practice. I can only
express my gratitude to all the participantsand volunteers who crouched down in the

THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHER

Chicken

Pork

Goat

Goat milk

fields in the heat of summer and patiently
planted the seeds and did the weeding byhand. Washing carrots in winter required
adding hot water to the cold water, andstudents, who came in January from St.
Olaf College in the U.S., helped us withthis task.
After overcoming the COVID-19
pandemic, people began to gather as usualat ARI. We are all working together to carefully complete the time-consuming work,
and we intend to have a sure harvest in
2023.

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

15

Foodlife at ARI

Foodlife at ARIUsing Local Resources and Protecting
against Infectious Diseases
Crops & Vegetables ReportF

That We May ‘Eat’ Together
Ryô Maki

Foodlife (Livestock)( 〜 Feb. 2023)

or pig raising, our goal for FY2022 was
to find ways to reduce the cost of feedin the face of rising feed costs due to the
COVID-19 pandemic and global conditions.
Focusing on the free resources available inthe vicinity of ARI and after much researchand inquiries, we were able to obtain carbohydrates (wheat and barley), which makeup a large portion of the feed, at no costfrom a local rice center. This has greatly
reduced the cost of feed. We spent moretime with the participants and actively
supported them in raising pigs back in theirown communities. We also introduced
fermented feed made from banana stems,
which is available in their communities.
For goats and beekeeping, we cut grassaround ARI vegetable and rice fields every
morning to feed the goats. As a result,
we did not purchase feed from outside,
we paid zero yen for feed, and were able
to achieve 87% feed self-sufficiency (drymatter equivalent), all within a two-kilometer radius, including free local resources.
We also added new grazing land on a steep,unused slope with trees. The goats thrived
in this obstacle-strewn environment andgrew into healthy goats with strong backs
and legs. However, a sudden outbreak ofdiarrhea of unknown cause began in early
spring, killing several baby goats in just a
few days. It took several months to trace thecause to several types of parasites. Beekeeping, started two years ago, has contributed
to the pollination of crops, and we are planning to collect honey in the spring.
For poultry raising, participants caredfor 200-day-old chickens. As part of theirtraining in poultry management, theyadministered two doses each of threedifferent vaccines. The participants also
constructed a duck house, which was alearning experience for the staff as well. We
also improved the water drinking system
and relocated the chicken house water
pipes to the hallway to prevent flooding
during the winter.
Because avian influenza continued tospread throughout Japan, we strengthened
our efforts at prevention by constructing achanging area in front of the chicken housewith the help of volunteers.
16

FEAST ReportW

e grow crops and livestock, cookusing those ingredients, and eat
what we make. The leftovers are returnedto the soil and our bodies. ARI’s foodlife is aprocess in which everyone is involved, andFEAST is a place where foodlife is practiced
through cooking and eating together.
In preparing meals for approximately
50 people for breakfast and dinner as well
as 70 people for lunch, there are manydifferent foods that each person can or
cannot eat due to such factors as religious
restrictions, seasoning preferences, differences in staple foods, or food allergies. On
the other hand, there are many restrictions
at ARI that differ from home cooking, suchas the ingredients grown in ARI’s climate,
the number of people involved, and the timerequired for cooking. What can the chef andthe eater do to provide meals that satisfy
both the body and the soul of those whowill be living with them for a long periodof time, nine months to a year? Because the

THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHERANNUAL REPORT 2022

Ikumi Kanamori
Foodlife (FEAST)

people “cooking” and “eating” are interchangeable for each meal, everyone faced
this question as if it were their own.
A dish prepared with chili and without.
A ready-made chili paste that is very
popular when the food is not spicy enough.
An African staple made with corn flour
and a tomato fish paste that goes well with
it. Pork bone broth with herbs and spices
and vegetable broth with distinct vegetable flavors. On the day of Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration, we cooked the special
dishes until we were exhausted. WhenI think back on the dishes of 2022, I canclearly picture each and every one of thepeople involved.
With a much larger number of people
in the community than in the past two
years, the challenge was to create morediverse meals, and the key to overcoming
this challenge was also the diversity ofthe people. Regardless of position, gender,
age, or cooking experience, the meal was

prepared by the people responsible for thatday. Many saw it not just as a duty, but as
an opportunity for personal growth, andtheir efforts were put on the table at Koinonia. How fortunate we were to share in it.
I believe that our daily bread is brought to
us by God, the soil, the ingredients, and thelife of all.
Self-sufficiency ratio of ARI meals
ARI-Grown Product
Purchased Ingredients
ARI & Purchased total
Self-sufficiency ratio

Energy base599 kcal46 kcal
645 kcal
92.8%

Price base296.4 JPY
13.5 JPY
310 JPY
95.6%

17

Together with Supporters

Together with
Supporters

Opening ARI to
the World Again

Our Supporters & Partners
Individual Donors

Kathy Froede

Ecumenical Relations

Ecumenical Relations ReportIn addition to a whole class of participants, the highlight of 2022 was meeting
our supporters and new volunteers inperson. It was wonderful to share stories,
discuss important topics and connect
closely with people we had only seen
through zoom for the past three years.
Visas opened for short-term visitors in theearly fall, and we were blessed with many
new people on campus.
One of our first visitors was Sherry
DeLeon, now-Executive Director at American Friends of ARI. Her first time at ARI,
she learned in-depth from community
members. She also held a fundraising
workshop.
Our church partners began travelingagain, and we received several new long-18

term volunteers from the United Statesand Germany. When someone could not
visit, instead of a zoom call in the office, wetook them on a virtual tour to meet staff
and participants and reacquaint them withour campus.
I was able to travel again and visit graduates in Nagaland, India. Eight graduatesfrom 1983 to 2022 and a 2023 participant
gathered at Alemla’s (2014) farm near
Dimapur. Graduates shared their work withwomen’s groups, children’s programs, local
farmers, the church, a school, and a healthclinic. The ARI spirit of living together,helping those in need, and fellowship lives
on in these graduates and those they workwith. I was encouraged by their energy andpassion.

(Photo top) With the graduates in Nagaland, India(Middle) Sherry DeLeon at ARI with a participant(Bottom) A German volunteer

THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHER

Bev Abma
Tomoko AdachiMarie Bade
Eugene and Lois Bakko
Annette Baslaw
Bill and Mary Beck
Martha Bessac
Linda Bloom
Jane Bock
Dan and Barbara Bohi
Colleen Bookter
Colleen Brooks
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Brown
Stephen Brown
Robbie Buller and Chou Ly
Patrick Burns
Kathy Burton-Lewis
Diana Chapel
Shannon Clarkson
Mary Anne Cohen
Susan and Paul Colvin
Leonard Condenzio
Ben Cope
Elizabeth Cutting
Richard and Alice Dailey
Ken Dale
Sherry DeLeon
Mary Ann DeVries and Tom Schlife
Lois Dickason
Jordan Dickinson
Darlene Dunbar
Fred and Carol Edmonds
Naarah Eichenauer
Marie Ferrarin
Dean and Elsie Freudenberger
Ben and Carol Fujita
Martha Gale and Bob Carpenter
Kenneth Gelhaus
Stephen and Emiko Gerdes
Brittany Gill
Dick and Anne Gillett
Donald and Melinda Goodick
Daniel and Hiroko Goto
James and Noriko Goto
Marcia Hampton
Mr. and Mrs. Margaret and Carl
Hardenbergh/Wies
Pam and Souk Hasegawa
Linnea and Rob Hasegawa/Aung
Nagi Hashiba
Tom and Carol Hastings
Paul Hastings and Debbie Wissel
Nelima Hazra
Lorna and Will Henkel
John E. Hill and Jeannette
DejongDr. and Mrs. David and Sandra
HiranoRenee Hoffman
Jill Hofmeister
Rev. Margret Hofmeister and
Linda Erlanger
Michele Holowachuk
William F. Honaman

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

Adeline Hoover
Brooke and Michele Hoover
J.B. Hoover
Kristin Hubbard
Arthur and Gloria Imagire
Jack Iman
Keith Inouye
Nancy and Thomas Inui
Joan Ishibashi
Leslie Jackson
Ed Johnson
Gabriele Kasper
Eunice Kaymen
Marjorie Kinsey
LaVerne Kroehler
Ronald and Elizabeth Kutscher
Martin and Barbara Lang
Dot Larkin and Bradford Connolly
Rev. James Latimer
Jim and Gretchen Lewis
Margaret Logan and Rolfe Larson
Joyce Magee
Julia Manners
Ellen and Jim Marsey
Rev. George R. Martzen
Dominic Massetti
Ken and Diane Matsuura
Ken Matsuyama
Patrick and Eunice McArdle
Michael McConnell
Barbara Mensendiek
Marvin and Mary Miller
Eleanor Moore
Michiko and Tom Morgan
Rosalind Morris
John Moss
Barbara L. Mueller
Bud and Shirley Nelson
Emily Nelson
Stan and LoAnne Olson
Bill Pallett
Albert Papp
Donald PatenaudeMarti Peterson
Monica Quill
Dave and Louise Ransom
Bob and Joyce Ray
J.B. Redding
Dr. Stefan Reiff
Patricia and Randy Roeser
Priscilla and David Ruhe
Janet Russell
Ken and Connie Sansome
Mariellen Sawada-Yoshino
Lisa Schaechter
Joy Sekimura
Kay Shanks
Anne Sherwood
Janet Shoger
Mid and Carol SquierBarb Stapleton
Phil Stichter
Keitha and Jim Swaim
Lee and Dotty Swan

Mark Swanson
Sachi Taketa
Stephen Tarr
Neel Teague
Katherine Tegtmeyer Pak
Robert and Hazel Terhune
Glenn Van Haitsma
Harold Velasquez
Ellen Webster
Millicent M. Wetrich
Ben and Carolyn Whitehill
Anne Wire
Janet and Gene Witt
Hugh and Sandra Woodruff
Angie Xiong
Emiko Yamamoto
Shari and Tru Yamamoto
Larry and Jean Young
Linda Young
Glennys Ziegler

Overseas Donor
Organizations
Amazon Smile
Episcopal Parish of St. Thomas
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America ELCA
Evangelical Mission in Solidarity(EMS), GermanyFirst Congregational Church in
Amherst - UCC, Amherst, MA
Friendship Christian Reformed
ChurchGlobal Ministries The United
Methodist Church
GlobalGiving Foundation
Harris United Methodist Church
Javan and Neva Corl Family
Foundation
John and Frank Sparacio
Charitable Foundation
Kitchell Memorial Presbyterian
ChurchMethodist Church in Britain- World Church OfficePalm Harbor United Methodist
ChurchPearl City Community Church
Renaissance Charitable
Foundation Giving Fund
San Luis Obispo United
Methodist Church
Shalom United Church of Christ,
New Haven, CT
United Church of Dorset andEast Rupert, Dorset, VT
Wesley United Methodist WomenWSP Foundation, Inc

Legacy Circle
Bev Abma
Martha Bessac
Ken Dale
Kathy Froede
Pam and Souk Hasegawa
David and Sandra Hirano
J.B. Hoover
LaVerne Kroehler
Ellen and Jim Marsey
John Moss
Marti Peterson
Bob and Joyce Ray
Craig Rice and Ameeta Sony
Lisa Schaechter
Kay Shanks
Jim and Kathryn Treece

Overseas Volunteer
Organization
Brethren Volunteer Services, US
Evangelical Mission in Solidarity,
Germany
Sozialer Friedensdienst
Kassel, e.V., Germany

We express our gratitude to the many donors who havehelped support ARI and the Rural Leaders Training
Program this year. We extend a special thanks to American Friends of ARI (AFARI), whose kind staff and volunteers ensure American donors can make the most of
their support to our efforts.
A list of individuals, congregations and other organizations in Japan who donated toward ARI during
fiscal 2022 can be found in the Japanese version of the2022 Annual Report and Ajia no Tsuchi, our Japanese
language newsletter.

19

2022 Snapshots

Together with Supporters

50th Anniversary Projects have begun!

1

To celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2023, we have undertaken thefollowing four projects related to one of our five key priorities,“climate justice and climate action”.
(1) Refuse Composition Survey

From Tuesday, October 25 to Tuesday, November 1, with the cooperation of the NPO
Kino Kankyo, we conducted a survey of trash generated by community members.
With encouraging results, we will continue to promote measures to combat climatechange by reducing waste and increasing recycling rates.
(2) Construction of “Solar Power Generation - Storage - Consumption Indicator”
System for Classroom

ARI Friend’s Day

Synergy Creates the Powerto Move Forward
Fundraising and Domestic Programs,
Sales ReportWhile participants from overseas wereable to enroll this year, the outlook
for income from sales activities at the
beginning of the fiscal year was not encouraging, given the self-imposed restraint on
external events beginning in 2020 and theslowdown in business at the restaurants
with whom we do business. Members who
assist with sales activities were frequently ill and had to take time off, making us
realize the importance of working together
to cover existing tasks with limited humanresources. In addition, from mid-year to thesecond half of the year, we changed theprices of some agricultural products that
we had maintained since 2014. This wasdue to rising prices and increased demandfor products such as eggs that had market
distribution issues. Under these circumstances, we maintained a positive andopen atmosphere, taking frequent breaks
when everyone could meet to follow up andreflect on mistakes, as well as share ideas
for future improvement.
This year we hosted the first ARI Friends
Day, in which Japanese alumni, former staff
members, and former volunteers opened
stalls. This was our first attempt at such

20

an event and involved some trial and error.
However, attendees reported that the event
was more than just a shopping trip, but alsoa very enriching experience, encouraging
us for future events. We had a lot of funmeeting and talking with many people
face to face, and reuniting with old friends.
The event provided an opportunity for local

Hiromi Satô
Sales

3

Four solar panels (12.6kw each) were installed on the extended roof on the south sideof the classroom to generate electricity for classroom use, which is then stored in 2
batteries (22000Wh each) installed in the classroom. The storage and consumption
capacities are displayed on the battery monitors, so that participants can always see
how much electricity is being stored and consumed. We see this as an educational
opportunity by making participants more conscious of the electricity they use. Whenthe battery is empty, the system can be switched to the existing grid power supply.
When the battery is full, the system can provide electricity for the classroom even if
the sun does not shine for one or two days. Solar power and LED lights projects weremade possible by generous donations from Sparacio Foundation.

(3) LED Lights Installed in All Buildings

people to get to know ARI in a casual way.
It has been a meaningful year of learning how to create synergy to maximize thepower of members by working together.
This way, we solve a number of problems
while taking into account the conditionsof the time.

2

4

All 342 fluorescent lights in ARI have been replaced with LED fluorescent lights, which
consume less electricity and last longer. This is expected to significantly reduce not
only electricity costs but also carbon dioxide emissions.

(4) Off-grid House

Construction of an “off-grid house,” a house that enables self-sufficiency in energy
without relying on external lifelines such as electricity and gas, began at the end ofJanuary in the backyard of the Nasu Seminar House. This project was made possible
by a generous grant from Countryside Community Church.

Obituaries
Mr. Mito Kaneko

Organic Farmer in Ogawa town,
Saitama Prefecture
Mr. Mito Kaneko of Shimosato Farm in Ogawamachi of Saitama Prefecture, who led organic
farming in Japan, passed away on September
24. ARI participants visit Ogawa-machi every
year for training.
His successor, Mr.
M u n e o K a n e ko(née Ishikawa), is a1995 ARI graduate.

THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHERANNUAL REPORT 2022

Mr. Shigeo Asai

Former staff member of ARI (1973-1983)

Mr. Shigeo Asai passed away on October 15
in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He was a pioneer oforganic and pesticide-free cultivation andmade great contributions to ARI, especiallyin the field of vegetable cultivation at a time
when pesticides and chemical fertilizers werestill being used. Mr. Asai married Ms. Suchitra
Bantuni, an ARI alumna from Thailand, in 1975.
In 1983, Mr. Asai and his family moved to his
wife’s hometown in Thailand, where he taught
subsistence farming at a facility for people
recovering from leprosy.

Mr. Asai’s wife Suchitra (far right)
with Narong and Pat (both ARI
alumni)21

Graduates at
Work

2

4

3
1

5

(Photo on Left) IRRA students, ARI staff, and graduates gather at Kenny’s Farm
(Photo at Top) Experiencing real local life through a homestay(Photo at Bottom) Harvesting coffee in the food forest

Traveling with
University Students toIndonesian Graduates
Study Tour ReportYûko Emura

Fundraising & Domestic Programs(Supporter’s Support, PR)

22I

n February 2023, the “Indonesia Grad Camp” was held for the
first time in collaboration with Doshisha University’s student
organization, the International Residency Research Association(hereinafter referred to as “IRRA”). Nine IRRA students and two
ARI staff members traveled to North Sumatra for a 10-day programthat included travel within Indonesia.
During the 10 days, we spent the most time at Kenny’s Farm,which is run by Veny Tampubolon (2005 graduate, 2012 TA, photoon left 1) and her husband Kengo Ishida (2012 graduate, photo onleft 2). Kenny’s Farm is a regenerative agricultural farm started
by the couple in 2015, centering on a food forest (a forest where
food such as fruits can be procured). Kengo says this is the best
way to produce food in harmony with nature in a tropical climate,minimizing labor and ensuring food availability for generations
to come. When they started cultivating the forest seven years
ago, people around them were sometimes skeptical because their
methods were different from those of farmers in the surrounding area. However, they have steadily built the forest, believing
in their own way of doing things, and now local farmers come tothem for advice.
IRRA students learned about food forestry, participated in daily
farming, animal care and cooking, and had many conversations
with the two alumni as they shared their lives. The food forest
approach to agriculture was new to the students, and they learned
THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHER

a great deal about sustainability. One student said, “I really like
Kengo san and Veny san’s long perspective about the relationshipbetween their farm, environment and themselves. Also, theyrecognize they have responsibilities about they should live withnature. I really respect them and I also want to live in such a goodway.”
Another main destination was the KSU Pom Cooperative, acoffee farmers’ association led by Gani Silaban (2008 graduate,
photo on left 3). He is completely captivated by coffee and has
been supporting local coffee farmers through this cooperative. He
educates the group’s members and local youth on organic coffee
cultivation and processing. In order to focus more on education,
he is now building a “coffee school” where students can learn theentire process from a seed to a cup of coffee. Gani cites “networking” as one of his most memorable lessons at ARI, and he is working
with fellow ARI alumni Junpiter Pakpahan (2008 graduate, photoon left 4) and Lampita Silaban (2012 graduate, photo on left 5) to
use the coffee school as a vocational training center for people withdisabilities.
IRRA students experienced the process from a seed to a cup ofcoffee and listened to the stories of Gani and Junpiter. “I was able
to understand firsthand the time and effort that goes into making
a regular meal, and the fact that we are receiving life, not just a
substance for sustenance.”
ANNUAL REPORT 2022

While the students learned about agriculture and food, whatleft the greatest impression on many of them was what they learned
from the alumni themselves. The diversity of their approaches torural leadership, as well as their love and belief in their own efforts,
provided great inspiration and encouragement to the university students, who are faced with the question of how to live theirlives in the future. “I learned the importance of always trying andworking hard, even if you don’t know what the future holds orwhether the outcome will be successful. I also learned the importance of having the courage to take the first step toward somethingthat catches my attention or that interests me.” We are most pleased
that the students were able to gain hope and awareness for their
future paths through meeting various graduates.

23

Graduates at Work

Graduates at Work

Ikkô conducting the waste management

Koinonia Round Table Discussions
Waste Management

At ARI, people from all over theworld sit at the big round tables of
the Koinonia dining hall talking about
every kind of topic. Some are solving
the problems of the world, while others
may be discussing cricket matchesor pop music. Whatever the conversation, this diverse multi-culturalcontext turns it into a learning experience. This environment within ARI
is our “Community of Learning,” andthese tables are thick with learning.
Now, this learning community
is being extended beyond the ARI
campus. By means of Zoom, we arebringing together graduates wherever they are in the world, to discuss
issues in their communities and seekout solutions by sharing their knowledge and experience.

These are called Koinonia Round
Table Discussions. The first was
about coffee growing, processing,and marketing and the second, by
request, was on waste management.
As the consumer economy expands
even into the rural areas, trash is pilingup, and rural people don’t know how
to deal with it. Seven graduates fromsix countries gathered to share about
how they are addressing their trashproblems, and activities ranged fromeducating villagers on keeping theenvironment free from pollution, tocompost training, to recycling options.
The talk was joined by a former ARI
volunteer, Ikkô, who runs an NGO
that advises local municipalities onsustainable waste management.

SierraLeone

Myanmar

Liberia

Sri Lanka

A CNN Changemaker

Sharing seeds

Food and Education

My community has food

Mambud Samai – 2018 Graduate
Single Leg Amputee Sports Association(SLASA)Thaung Si – 2012 Graduate
Lisu Theological Seminary

Patrick Kullie – 2019 Graduate
Voinjama Free Pentecostal Church

Renuka Gunawardana – 2004 Graduate
Thushara Nilmini – 2009 Graduate
Women’s Development Federation

M

ambud was featured as a changemaker in a CNN documentary, which
recognized his work to improve the lives of
amputees. After Sierra Leone’s vicious civil
war, Mambud gathered young people who
had lost legs or arms to create an amputee
football (soccer) team. The simple act ofplaying sports increases their confidence
to take control of their lives. After ARI,
Mambud started a football garden where
amputees can earn a living by growing theirown food. “This is possible,” says Mambud,“because of my ARI training, which hugely
impacted my life and character.”Thaung Si is a program coordinatorat the Lisu Theological Seminary in
Myanmar where he and fellow ARI graduate, Samuel Bya, started a program called
Sustainable Living Training. Within thisprogram, Thaung Si created a community
seed bank and keeps a seed garden on thecampus grounds. Alongside the garden isa small mud house used for seed storage,
which incidentally, he built together withthe help of a Buddhist Monk. Thaung Si
regularly conducts training sessions onfood sovereignty and seed banking, notonly for the seminary, but for the wider
community.

W

hen Patrick returned from ARI,
he immediately started a Food for
Education Program, or FEP, as he likes tocall it. He teaches children how to growcassava, which is sold to cover school fees.
In 2022, he began assisting in the field of
the agricultural department of the Free
Pentecostal College. His first project wasto construct elevated nurseries for pepper
and eggplant seedlings. This is the college’s
debut in organic farming, and he is proud
to say, “The college students are happy tolearn from ARI through me.”In the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s economic
collapse, people are facing shortages ofall kinds, including food. But in the villages of Renuka and Thushara, who together
teach their communities how to growkitchen gardens, there is enough to eat.
Renuka explained, “I am happy to write
to the ARI family during this difficult time,
because my community has food. They are
growing it on their own farms. In my life
in ARI, I learned how to grow and preserve
foods and I shared my knowledge with mypeople. We are also sharing local seeds,
which is important for food security.”

College students making raised nursery beds

Amputees harvesting peanuts from the SLASA farm
Empowering African Amputees
through Sport (CNN documentary)
Mambud’s part starts at 11:05
You can take a peek into the discussion at this link.
https://youtu.be/DxQuLjBZWIU?si=7JYMOJn4pZMq_aL-

24

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/
world/2023/01/31/ntando-mahlangusouth-africa-paralympics-mambudsamai-sierra-leone-amputee-footballintl-spc.cnn

THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHER

Seed Packets for distribution
See Thaung Si and his passion forseed banking!
https://youtu.be/0TB06wsD_YA

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

Steven Cutting

Graduate Outreach25

Financial Report
Balance Sheet
Assets at the end of FY2022 were $5,539,541.20,
a decrease of $130,682.00 from the end of theprevious fiscal year. The decrease includes$252,422.60 in depreciation (property andequipment). The accumulation of a total of$38,516.80, including $20,634.00 in specified
assets for retirement allowances and $17,882.80
in specified assets for maintenance of facilities
and equipment, to prepare for the future could
be continued as in previous years.
On the other hand, liabilities increased by$116,926.00 from the end of the previous year
to $1,384,541.40, which was due to an increasein advances received (especially scholarshipfunds for the next fiscal year). The repayment oflong-term debt ($23,797.88) and redemption ofschool bonds ($3,439.00), totaling $27,236.88,
were repaid as planned.

Cash Flow Statement
At the end of FY2022, the balance of funds
carried over was $366,980.57, including expenditures for the installation of a classroom solar
power system as part of the 50th anniversary
project (approx. $13,687.22), the installationof computers and online equipment (approx.

$11,004.80), and the scheduled replacementof a server (approx. $14,787.70). On the other
hand, the aforementioned increase in advances
received resulted in an increase of $31,638.80
compared to the end of the previous fiscal year.

Business Activity Income/Expenses
Business activity income
Student fees

FY 2021(USD) FY 2022(USD)
1,020,007
818,482
340,461
48,146

The addition of 3 overseas scholarships(approx. $55,024.00) and a non-budgeted
domestic scholarship ($6,878.00), which
had been on hold for the past 3 years due tothe impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, also
contributed to the total. The total amount was$68,780.00 higher than budgeted due to theexchange rate of the yen against the strong
U.S. dollar.

Donations
Donations
Domestic donations
Overseas donations
Other grants
Special donations
Sales and Special Services(FuRa)FY 2021 (USD FY 2022 (USD)
451,196
570,874
200,149
106,952
76,48367,541
160,945
185,224

Although there were still various restrictions
under the COVID-19 pandemic, the income was
122% of the budget and 115% of the previous
year's. Sales were $3,439.00 higher than theprevious year and reached a new record high.
New projects such as ARI Friends Day, off-gridhouse building, and an Indonesia study tour for
university students were also held. Although
the number of participants in the study camps
decreased due to room usage restrictions
to prevent COVID-19 infections, we re-evaluated the value of ARI programs and raised
prices, resulting in the third-highest revenue
for programs in our history.

Operating Expenses
Operating Expenses

FY 2021 (USD) FY 2022 (USD)
1,106,670
1,268,991

AssetsMarch 31, 2022

March 31, 2023

Current assets
Fixed assets
Property
Specified assets
Other fixed assets$370,769.18$5,234,661.45$4,929,598.15$302,365.60$2,697.70$453,817.81$5,022,948.04$4,680,262.35$339,987.99$2,697.70

Total Assets$5,605,430.64$5,476,765.85

Liabilities
Current liabilities
Fixed liabilities
Total liabilities$216,652.51$1,035,617.80$1,252,270.31$572,774.00$796,040.20$1,368,814.20

Endowment

Please consider a continued donation to ARI to ensure participation in
the Rural Leaders Training Programfor a new generation of rural leaders.
All US-based donations are handled
by our partner, American Friends of ARI.
For a tax-free donation for US
taxpayers, please use one of thefollowing:
Donation via check
AFARI
2028 E Ben White Blvd
Suite 240-9000
Austin TX 78741
Online donation
via credit card
https://www.afari.net/

262022 Budget

2022 Actual

Educational activities revenue
Scholarships and fees
Fees for issuing certificate
Donations
Subsidies for ordinary expenses
Sales and special services (FuRa)
Miscellaneous revenue$264,194.31$357.600$523,481.99
0$151,679.11$39,308.93$336,628.13$38.08$446,117.94$1,508.42$183,113.95$40,855.27

Total educational activities revenue
Total non-educational activites revenue$982,013.56
0$1,008,261.80$1,050.60

Total operating revenue$971,018.21$1,009,326.50$583,430.04$210,860.50$458,240.27$287,428.49$576,167.49$192,195.07$482,115.32$292,433.82

Operating Expenses$8,237,348.88$8,272,198.91

Balance carried forward
Total net assets-$3,884,188.55$4,353,160.32-$4,164,247.26$4,107,951.64

Total educational activities expenses
Total non-educational activities expenses
Special Expenses$1,252,530.81$5,915.88
0$1,250,477.88$4,057.29
0Total liabilities and net assets$5,605,430.63$5,476,765.85

Total operating expenses$1,258,446.69$1,254,535.18

Net Assets

Cash Flow Statement
Balance carried over from previous year
Balance carried forward to next year

(Kaori Sakuma, General Affairs)

Invest in
Rural Community
Leadership!

Operating Revenue

Educational activities expenses
Personnel
Education and research
Administration
Total educational activities expenses

Total Endowment

Expenditures were almost in line with thebudget. While there were budgeted amounts
that were unused due to continued voluntary
restraint on overseas business trips and activities following the COVID-19 pandemic, there
were also expenses that exceeded the budget,such as travel expenses (approx. $47,458.20,
compared to average of approx. $34,390.00 inprevious years) due to soaring fuel costs and theweak yen, as well as utility expenses that were
1.5 times higher than in previous years (approx.
$32,670.50) due to the soaring cost of utilities.

Statement of Revenue and Expenditure

Balance Sheet

Numbers displayed in US dollars.
Original numbers are in Japanese yen.
The exchange rate as of Aug 18, 2023 is
100 JPY = 0.6877 USD

Donations by Category

Auditors' Statement
The above duly audited financial statements havebeen prepared by the Fujinuma Tax and Accounting
Service, Inc, and approved by the ARI auditors, Mr.
Ôkubo and Mr. Murata. All the documents were
properly kept and there were no irregularities.

ARI’s 50th Anniversary
Donation Drive Has Begun!
If you would like to help support ARI’s
next fifty years of sustainable growth,
foodlife, climate action, and more,
please consider a donation to the 50th
anniversary drive.
This donation is online only via credit
card, and is handled in Japanese yen by
ARI’s direct payment processor.
Online donation
via credit card
https://ari.ac.jp/
en/en/50th-anniv/

THAT WE MAY LIVE TOGETHER

Specialdonations$67,545(15%)
Other subsidies$76,570(16%)$331,588.86$362,818.82

Domestic
donations$200,125(45%)

May 11, 2023
Asian Rural Institute451,169 USD
Tomohiro Ôkubo

Overseas
donations$106,929(24%)

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

Sakae Murata

27

That We May Live Together

32

33

34

20
36

35

11

9

12

13

7

21

5

6

25

24
17

26
8
2

3
16

22

4

31
27

15

1

19

18

14

23

30

28

10

29

2022 Annual Report (April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023)

The 2022 Graduates （）Sending organization

Editors: Tomoko Arakawa, Yûko Emura, Jack Lichten, Jun Yagisawa

Rural Leaders Training Program

Advanced Training Course

India

Indonesia

Indonesia

UgandaEthiopia

Cover Art: Jun Yagisawa

Ghana
GuatemalaKenya
Dem. Rep. of
the Congo
Nigeria
Bangladesh
Vietnam
Malaysia
RwandaJapan

1 Ngamshel Ronglo (Weaker Sections Development Council)
2 Kannan Ravichandran (Sristi Foundation)
3 Zhopovelu Lohe (Grace Home Khutsokhuno)
4 Gretherson Cheran Momin (Harding Theological College,
Harding Universal Trust)
5 Lungaithui Malangmei (Chingthur Foundation, Rongmei Baptist
Church Association)
6 Berman Maeda Situmorang (Gereja Kristen Protestan Indonesia [GKPI])
7 Tabita Pricillia Rahawarin (Abdi Pusaka Indonesia Foundation)
8 Dian Krista Sitepu (Gereja Batak Karo Protestant Church GBKP)
9 Muntilan Hasiholan Nababan (Petrasa Foundation)
10 Ade Puji Hartati (PIDO Company)
11 Yan Petric Rajagukguk (Huria Kristen Batak Protestant, HKBP)
12 Timothy Sentamu (Kasenge Riverford Organic Agricultural
Centre LTD, GirlNow Foundation)
13 Degaga Wakshuma Geleta
14 Demissie Solomon Dufera
15 Alex Kwamla Afeli (Asogli State Council)
16 Ester Brito Raymundo (Conferencia de Iglesias Evangelicas deGuatemala17 Marta Brito Brito (Conferencia de Iglesias Evangelicas deGuatemala)18 Jacklyne Anyango Owang (Nomiya Holy Revelation Church)
19 Mordekay Mirindi Jonas (Peace and Conflict Resolution Foundation)
20 Shukuru Munigwa Seraphin (Community of Pentecostal Churches inCentral Africa, Funu Nuru)
21 Onyekachi Samuel Abugu (Organization of African Instituted Churches)
22 Adetunji David Ajala (Methodist Church Nigeria)
23 Satta Mree (Church of Bangladesh)
24 Hlachingmong Issac Murruy (Basic Development Partners)
25 Dung Ngoc Vo (Dung Krong Nang Farm; Mekong Organics)
26 Mohd Khuzairy Bin Hamid (Sri Lovely Integrated Organic Farm)
27 Grace Furaha (Free Methodist Church Rwanda)
28 Tomoya Furujô
29 Ayu Suda
30 Nozomi Nakashima
31 Takumi Tokumaru

Nepal
Japan

( ) year graduated from ARI

32 Margareth Marta Roida Sianipar (2012)(Elim Orphanage, Huria Kristen Batak Protestan)
33 Bhim Bahadur Khaling Rai (2015)(National Development Organization)
34 Eri Okada (2021)
35 Keisuke Katô (2021)
36 Hiroka Komatsubara (2020)

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Englishcolor

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Tsukinukizawa, 442-1
Tochigi. Nasushiobara
329-2703 JAPAN

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fax

info@ari.ac.jp0287-36-3111
0287-37-5833

websitewww.ari.ac.jp
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