Project names and brief descriptions
1.
Short-term/long-term youth volunteer (general): The youth will stay in a
target cluster/community and assist in the cluster growth process (see the
“general activities” below). From a few weeks to several months (preferably at
least two months stay).
2.
Baha’i Summer School: Usually early to mid-August. Assist in running the
school especially the youth program.
3.
Baha’i
Purpose of the Youth Service Program:
1. To
assist in the Institute Process and Cluster Growth in general.
2. To
help activate youth activities in
General Activities:
1. Facilitating
or helping to facilitate study circles
2. Promoting
devotional meetings
3. Conducting
or assisting to conduct children’s/junior youth classes/gatherings
4. Facilitating
or assisting youth activities including youth study circles, teaching events,
dance workshop, other forms of art workshop.
5. Participating
in teaching activities in general
6. Helping
with other general Baha’i community life
Preferred
Background of Youth Serving
1. Completion
of as many Ruhi courses as possible (ideally, through
Book 7)
2. Being
able to facilitate Ruhi courses.
3. Being
able to plan, organize and carry out children’s classes.
4. Being
able to plan, organize and carry out junior youth groups/classes.
5. Being
able to plan, organize and carry out older youth groups/classes.
6. Being
able to plan, organize and carry out devotional meetings.
7. Being
able to plan, organize and carry out other functions of a Baha’i community
life, such as Feasts and Holy Days.
8. Skills
in arts. Dance is one of the most well-received and popular forms of arts.
Music is also extremely useful. Drama, visual arts, crafts and any other form
of art is welcome.
9. Being
in good physical and emotional health.
10. Japanese
communication skills would be ideal; however, in most of cases this is not
realistic. So we usually have youth volunteers from overseas work with
bilingual helpers.
Expenses:
1. International
travel expenses are the youth’s responsibility (i.e., from the country of their
origin to the first place of service in
2. Domestic
travel expenses will be covered by the NSA-Japan (i.e., from one place of
service to another).
3. Local
transportation will be taken care of by the hosting Baha’i community.
4. Accommodation
will be provided by the hosting Baha’i community (including beddings, bathing
and laundry facilities). The lodging may be at a Baha’i Center wherever
applicable. If lodging is provided at an individual’s home, some housework may
be expected in exchange.
5. Food
expenses will be covered by the youth her/himself. The daily minimum of US$10
is expected. Youth should bring extra cash to cover food expenses for special
occasions (e.g., outings). There may also be times when youth are invited to
meals at the courtesy of friends.
6. If
the applicant is in need of further financial assistance, he/she is encouraged
to consult the Baha’i Youth Desk of Japan. Details will be worked out on a
case-by-case basis.
Supervision
Youth service projects will be
supervised by the hosting Baha’i community or the Youth Desk of the NSA-Japan.
However, there may be times and situations when the youth may need to act
independently. It depends on which project youth
participate in. Please contact the Youth Desk for more details.
1. Knowledge
of Japanese would be definitely a great asset though it is not an absolute
requirement. Many youth do render great services with minimum Japanese.
2. Completion
of the basic Ruhi courses would be highly
recommended. Having a qualification to facilitate courses will be of great
help. (The Ruhi courses are the institute program
officially adopted by the NSA-Japan).
3. The
ability to conduct children’s classes as well as to facilitate junior youth
groups will be useful too. The experience with the Ruhi
junior youth education program will be of help (i.e., Breezes of
Confirmation, Walking the Straight Path, Drawing on the Power of
the Word)
4. Knowledge
and skills of some form of art will be very useful. Youth dance workshop is a
very popular and powerful form of art, though not an exclusive one. Singing,
instrumental music, and theater can be very useful too.
Cultural notes
Moderation and modesty in dress,
hairstyle and accessories will be expected.
1. For
a stay less than three months in length, a tourist (visitor) visa will suffice.
2. If
they intend to stay longer than three months, youth are encouraged to seek
special visas such as “work-holiday” visas. If the agreement between
One of the most important things to
remember in these projects is that the project need be sustainable even after
the youth leaves the area. Thus the youth will need to make sure the local
youth and/or community will not develop too much dependence on the youth. The
main goal is to develop human resources among the local friends through the
institute process, teaching, arts and other activities.
Further
details of the youth service projects:
1. Short-term/long-term
youth volunteer: Preference is given to those who can stay in one area for at
least two months, though the final decision ultimately depends on the hosting
community’s needs. Generally one or two youths will stay in one community. For
specific activities, see the general information above.
2. Baha’i
Summer Schools (August): Self-explanatory. See the first section.
3. Baha’i
Winter School (late December): Self-explanatory. See the first section.
Nozomu
Sonda at Baha’i Youth Desk, National Spiritual Assembly
of the Baha’is of Japan
7-2-13
Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku,
TEL
+81(83)932-0038 FAX +81(83)932-0089
HP: http://www.bahaijp.org/youth.htm
E-mail: youth@bahaijpn.com