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It might be one of those things that happens when new ALTs still aren’t comfortable with talking freely to the other teachers in the staff room (or indeed able to, what with the language barrier), but it was the case that I didn’t know about the gardenbuilding event at my elementary school until a couple of other ALTs (who, pointedly, don’t work at my school) mentioned it to me. “Wait, what’s the name of your school?” Sanarudai Elementary. “Isn’t that the school we made eco-bricks for?” Eco-bricks? What are those? “They’re going to use them to build a garden!” . . . Huh. I see. I found out the garden workshop was meant to primarily be an educational opportunity for the students, but was open to anyone who was interested. And, after some friendly prodding, I resolved to go. I’d only been on the job for a month at that point and I had yet to involve myself in anything community related. I’m generally nervous about joining things on my own, but here was a perfect opportunity where, even if I 102 |
didn’t really know what was going on, there were bound to be a few friendly faces. And besides, JET is about having new experiences, isn’t it? I’m so glad I went. There were a few surprised looks when I strolled up that balmy November morning— the teachers I’d told I was going were not the ones there that day, and the handful of students that did attend were shocked to see me. Rounding out the group of about twenty or so people was our instructor and master plasterer Yamamoto-san, the event leaders, students from a university club, and an assortment of people from the neighborhood. This gathering was one of many events coordinated by Permaculture Design Lab. It is run by Jun Omura and Wakana Kawamurasan. Both qualified in Permaculture Design, they are working towards supporting natural projects in and around the Hamamatsu City area.
