Support the First Steps in Rural Leaders' Training

The 2025 academic year at the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) officially began on April 1st, marking the arrival of a new cohort of participants and the revitalization of campus activities. As the fresh year gets underway, ARI welcomes its new class of rural leaders, each bringing unique backgrounds and aspirations to the institute's vibrant international community. The campus environment has become lively once again with the start of training, signifying a renewed commitment to ARI's mission of fostering rural leadership and sustainable living.

The opening of the academic year is a significant occasion at ARI, traditionally involving an orientation to introduce incoming participants to the institute's values, expectations, and collaborative spirit. This period is characterized by community-building activities, preparations for the agricultural cycle, and early workshops that lay the groundwork for practical training and leadership development throughout the year. The renewed energy on campus reflects ARI's ongoing dedication to equipping leaders with skills in sustainable agriculture, community organization, and cross-cultural understanding. It is thanks to donors like you that these rural leaders have begun their training. Your support helped them to take the first step in their training. We appreciate your investment in rural leaders and their communities.

Here are some highlights from some of the initial classes.

Learning from the Soil: Organic Farming Class

At ARI, Participants have begun their training in organic agriculture! April's sessions introduced Bokashi fertilizer and indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) to restore soil health and grow food naturally. These hands-on classes are the first step in building sustainable farming skills. We're excited to hear how Participants envision themselves using these skills in their home communities.

Community Building in the ARI Forest

As part of community work at the Asian Rural Institute, we participated in the “Forest Community Work” activity. Through this activity, we learned the importance of living in harmony with nature through hands-on experience. Specifically, we helped maintain the forest by thinning trees, clearing fallen logs, and maintaining pathways—supporting the balance between humans and nature. Although the forest work was physically demanding, cooperating with our peers gave us a strong sense of accomplishment and allowed us to feel deeply connected to the rhythms of nature.

After the work, we had a reflection session where everyone shared their thoughts and what they had learned. Then we enjoyed a relaxing time together over homemade cake, creating a warm and comforting moment.

Making Dishwashing Soap from Used Oil

In this class, participants learned how to make dishwashing soap using only three ingredients: caustic soda, water, and used cooking oil. The simple yet effective method, shared by a graduate, is a step toward sustainable living. The soap will be ready in a few weeks and used at ARI.

Links:

• ARI Website
• More information on this year's participants