We are a recently formed small non-profit group. Our aims are to
- Promote awareness of orphanages across Japan, especially amongst the foreign communities.
- Encourage these communities to set up regular volunteer visits.
- Help show these volunteers how this is possible, with hints, tips, and an overview of everything from setting up the first meeting to keeping up volunteer motivation.
- Ultimately we are aiming for every orphanage in Japan to have a two hour visit once a month.
We started at one orphanage in Fukui Ken and are now setting up regular visits at our third orphanage here, and want to replicate the success we have had here all across Japan. There is nothing to stop every orphanage in Japan having regular visits, and there is nothing to stop you being the one that makes that happen. If you are considering starting then rather than listen to me, please read stories of our volunteers from all over the world here.
Good luck with your volunteering and remember, this is only one model for a visit. There is no single correct way to do volunteer work, and every home will have slightly different needs. We hope only to provide you with one example, one model, something for you to build upon. More than that we hope to provide you with the spark, the idea, and the self belief. We want to show you that you can make an enormous difference to children’s lives while you are here in Japan, children that need more care and affection than most.
Ganbatte Kudasai!
Michael Maher King
