July 7, 2009 : Samegawa Tampopo-no-ie (Local visit 3)
Training Report - Decent work course
Today five participants left the hotel early in the morning to observe an actual work site of the users of Tampopo-no-ie, the small workshop for making Udon noodles. Before the observation they were requested to put white uniforms, caps and masks on for hygiene control. Users were so skillful that it's difficult for participants to distinguish the users from the staff. They learned that persons with intellectual disabilities could be workforce when the working environment was properly arranged.
Before lunch participants visited Samegawa Village Office to make a courtesy call on Village Mayor. Deputy Mayor and Chief of Welfare Section also attended the meeting.
Outline of the village as well as five-year welfare plan were explained by Deputy Mayor. Participants asked many questions about welfare system and services for persons with disabilities in Samegawa Village.
According to Deputy Mayor Samegawa village has population of 4,218 and among those there are 216 persons with physical disabilities, 11 with mental disabilities, and 53 with intellectual disabilities. Most of persons with intellectual disabilities are users of Tampopo-no-ie, and Mayor of the village showed his appreciation to Director of Tampopo-no-ie.
After lunch participants joined the field work, digging potatoes with users. Tampopo has just finished ingathering pumpkins for producing Shochu, distilled spirits. Everyone enjoyed working outside and satisfied their harvests. Two participants from Nepal experienced indoor-work, making paper carrier-bag together with users.
All JICA participants were impressed by the users' productivity and accuracy.
On the way back to the hotel they stopped over at the hydroponically-cultivated tomato farm. Then there they found out wheelchair users can work in the farm.
