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【Interview Vol.1】NPO Partner Projects Supports Children in Ishikawa

Eleven months have passed since the Noto Peninsula earthquake. The NPO Partner Project, supporting the recovery and reconstruction of disaster-stricken areas, is moving forward with plans to open a small candy store in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture.

We spoke with Toshiteru Hanada and Mana Igarashi of a local organization, Tomoe, that runs the "Ibasho Shokudo" soup kitchen for children facing various challenges, including school refusal and social withdrawal.

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―― You had been running "Ibasho Shokudo" as a place where local children could gather casually even before the earthquake. Please tell us how it was established.

Hanada: We established Tomoe in 2016 with the aim of supporting people with disabilities and currently operate three facilities. As we continued our business, we learned about children with various issues such as school refusal and social withdrawal, so in 2022 we rented a room in a building and started "Ibasho Shokudo."

 ―― What kind of children use it?

Igarashi: Since 2022, more than 950 children and youths ages 5 up to those in their 20s visited us. Many of them are not attending school or have withdrawn. We also welcome children with developmental disabilities, we consult with experts, participate in local child protection councils, and work with the government, schools, and hospitals to make it as easy as possible for children to spend their time there.

―― Nanao City also suffered major damage in the earthquake that occurred on New Year's Day 2024.

Hanada: We had to suspend our operations but we were able to resume our services in February. At the same time, we have continued to provide support for children affected by the disaster.

―― What situation are the children in right now?

Igarashi: After the earthquake, we received more inquiries from parents and the number of users is still increasing. I think one of the reasons behind this is that there are fewer places for children to go due to the earthquake and aftershocks.

For several months after the disaster, schools, daycare facilities, and community centers in the city were used as evacuation shelters, and some parks could no longer be used due to damaged playgrounds. As evacuation life dragged on, some children were scolded at the evacuation shelters for being "too noisy."

 An increasing number of children who have dropped out of school or are withdrawn from society are coming here for various reasons.

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―― As part of the NPO Partner Project, you will be opening a candy store. What are the aims and objectives of this?

Hanada: We are preparing to open a candy store in the garage of Ibasho Shokudo. We will have lots of exciting candies on display and create a space where children can interact with each other. We hope that the store will be a place where children can release the anxiety, fear, and other emotional imbalances that came from the disaster.

 ―― Preparations are also underway to set up study rooms not only for younger children, but also for high school students and others preparing for entrance exams.

Igarashi: While running Ibasho Shokudo, we heard from high school students preparing for entrance exams that after the earthquake they had nowhere to study.

―― Running Ibasho Shokudo, you sometimes feel discrimination and prejudice against school dropouts. For children to live in peace, understanding from the community is also necessary.

Hanada: In Nanao City, where the population is aging, support measures for the elderly tend to be prioritized, and it sometimes feels like support for children is put on the back burner. Through this project, we want to create an atmosphere in which the entire community can warmly watch over our children.

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