AFARI is the US-based non-profit fund-raising and support organization for the Asian Rural Institute (ARI). ARI is an international training center in Japan. Participants from developing countries in Asia, Africa and the Pacific are invited to study at ARI for nine months in sustainable, organic agriculture techniques, leadership and community development. ARI invites 25 to 30 grassroots rural leaders to study at Nasushiobara, Japan, every year.

 

Participant Profile: Florence Fomujong Mah from Cameroon, '07

Introducing Florence Fomujong Mah from Cameroon, ARI Class of '07

This posting is the first of what we hope is a series of ARI Participant Profiles. The following excerpts are shared from Florence's final participant report.


Special thanks go to two special ladies --- Tomoko san and JB Redding san, who both have inspired me with their way of leadership as women working with and leading men very successfully. From them both I learned a lot, either by asking questions or observations. They gave me the courage, confidence and inspiration on my vision which I trust they will still remain as mirrors and guides to help me succeed with it.

I narrate this story today as though it was a very smooth journey. The truth is that, there were times I felt as though I was sleeping on a bed full of thorns.

I was only interested in going to the classroom or field to learn more about organic farming.

It was not long that I started observing that at ARI, all was not just sitting in the classroom and learning from a teacher but a lot more was learned from observing the whole community, their reasons of being at ARI and the way they interacted with each other.

At ARI, a lot is learned in the classroom that is the theoretical part of the training. What makes ARI different from other Agricultural training schools is the fact that, all you learn in class, you are given the opportunity to practice on the field for nine months. This is done in what we call here, “Learning by doing.”

Florence

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posted by Craig D. Rice @ Monday, February 18, 2008 - 2:54 PM

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