On Saturday, July 20, 2024, about 30 volunteers from the Higo Bank worked to clear the undergrowth in the forest. The Foundation’s Executive Director Mr. Ohno explained the significance of clearing undergrowth and groundwater recharge, and the group was divided into two teams to start working.

Here is the photo of before the work started. The young tree saplings were not visible, for they were surrounded and covered by undergrowth.

Because of the danger involved in using cutter blades, the volunteers were careful not to get too close each other as they operated the brush cutters near the bamboo posts markings where the saplings were planted.  Female volunteers used sickles to cut and remove the vines that were wrapped around the saplings.

To counter the extreme heat, the volunteers took a 15-minute break every 30 minutes at the whistle of the team leader for hydration and salt replenishment.

Here is the photo of after the work was done. The saplings are now visible and in the sun.

The work progressed better than expected and the teams were able to finish clearing the undergrowth over a larger area than originally planned.  A group photo was taken with all the volunteers together upon completion of the work.