ASOBI to MANABI laboratory

The short summer vacation for Japanese children has come to an end. In Japan, every year on the first day back to school, we worry about children who feel down and don’t want to go to school. There are many children who don’t want to go to school for various reasons, and

Japanese schools aren’t very safe places for children.

This year, the heatwave was more intense than usual, and while worrying about how everyone managed to get through a summer without school lunches, we continued to organize small-scale activities in our neighborhood.

We went on nature walks”MICHIKUSA", ran a food pantry, helped with homework, and learned about food waste at an event venue for children.

Kitakyushu, where we are based, is close to Kumamoto.

Just before the earthquake, there was a Nature Positive Summit in Kumamoto, which I attended.

At that time, I visited the earthquake-damaged ruins for the first time since the disaster, learned a great deal, and now an earthquake has struck exactly as I had learned.

It would not have been surprising if an earthquake had struck while I was there.

Earthquakes can occur anywhere in Japan at any time.

Together with the children, we never let our guard down when it comes to preparedness.

In September, when the heat eases a bit, we’re planning a disaster preparedness training camp.

We’re waiting for the right opportunity to join on-site support efforts alongside young people, such as high school and college students.

We operate a small-scale food bank on campus and provide food assistance through our food pantry program.

Our “Kukinoumi Children’s Food Bank” is located on the first floor of the International Student Hall.

Actually, this summer was the first time ever (!) that we were able to hold a food pantry inside a university building that houses classrooms.

We’re taking small steps forward together with the students.

For us, food bank activities are one of the initiatives that serve as both a lifeline for children during peaceful everyday life—helping them prepare for all kinds of disasters—and as a form of disaster preparedness training.

Thank you for supporting our activities in Kitakyushu as well.

We are truly grateful.