Japanese volunteer builds pottery skills and bonds in Madagascar
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Karin Maruyama, a 31-year-old Japanese volunteer with the JOCV program, is teaching pottery at the Ecovillage Mahavariana in Talata Volonondry, Madagascar.
Maruyama initially planned to work with food vendors, but shifted her focus after discovering local clay and connecting with an association at the ecovillage. She had previously studied international relations and worked with ceramics in Japan, but adapted her techniques to Madagascar’s different equipment and resources, collaborating with local colleagues to build a pottery workshop from scratch.
Maruyama chose Madagascar because she was curious about Africa and found limited information about the country available in Japan. She aims to offer more than just a skill; she wants to provide the busy residents of Talata Volonondry with a relaxing hobby and a chance to focus on themselves. She observed that many people in the area were preoccupied with work and family responsibilities and hoped pottery would give them a personal outlet.
The project has moved beyond simply replicating Japanese techniques. Maruyama and her students have found new solutions to overcome differences in tools and firing methods. She believes that the shared act of creation fosters connection, and that if her work allows people to take time for themselves, her mission will be complete.
