Touch Rugby and Expatriate-Driven Charity For Children in Japan
Japan is a country where most of the 127 million population are satisfied with their lives, people on average live well into their 80s, it’s safe to walk home at night, and people who want to work can find a job.
(In Japan, the expectancy at birth is 84 years, 77% of people aged between 15 and 64 have jobs, and the disposable income per capita is about USD$29,000 annually.)
The air could be better in the big cities, but quality water is available, and children score above comparative averages in reading literacy, maths, and science.
This country has its act together in many ways, but another side of the coin is less complimentary.
Would you believe 33,000 children are living in 600 orphanages throughout Japan?
Some children lost their parents, Japanese authorities rescued some from dangerous environments, and many were handed over to the “Homes” by families and often by single mothers who couldn’t afford to feed their children.
The Japanese Government supports orphanages and foster home programs and audits each licensed institution to develop and maintain a safe environment for the children.
The Homes do their best but generally offer the Japanese children the bare essentials.
Ironically, the expatriate community is the spearhead driving initiatives and charitable programs to support Japanese children in need, and this tradition began with members of some of the earliest embassies and consulates established in Japan.
(One example, a group of American soldiers called the “Gentle Wolfhounds” have spent millions supporting the Holy Family Orphanage Home in Osaka since 1949.)
Today, the expatriate community supports dozens of active nonprofit organizations focused on children and inspired by the opportunity to make a difference.
I’ve witnessed the members of YouMeWe work to place IT equipment in every orphanage and facilitate training.
Unleash Potential sends hundreds of children to camp and sponsors challenged young athletes, and mirai no mori empowers marginalized youth through interactive activities in the outdoors.
Last Saturday, I experienced the fantastic work of mirai no mori firsthand.
Mira no mori held a charity touch rugby tournament to achieve several objectives.
One was to demonstrate the bond rugby can create between people while having fun raising money for a worthy charity.
Bingo
The event gathered people from Britain, Australia, Canada, the USA, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Japan, and others.
(I’ve never met more friendly and good-hearted people at public events.)
The participants ranged in age from toddlers (just) able to run to adults in their sixties.
Some people had never touched a rugby ball, and several Ricoh Black Rams Rugby Club professionals joined the 6-aside touch rugby games.
(These guys were specimens. Think NFL, NHL, and NBA quality athletes.)
We had fun, made new friends, raised funds for mirai no mori, and as significantly increased awareness of the need for the community to gather and support the children.
(Some New Zealanders performed folk songs, dances, and a Haka, which was made world-famous by the New Zealand All Blacks.)
A few of the teams were competitive such as one comprising of athletic (and aggressive) women who all looked marathon capable, but our team was out for fun.
(I did run down some young guys on the wing and had to ice my leg later in the evening. Just saying.)
This touch rugby festival wasn’t my first exposure to events built around fundraising for charity.
About ten years ago, A group hosting a Christmas party asked me to be Santa Claus for a Christmas lunch held for the St. Joseph Home at The New Sanno Hotel.
This invitation to entertain the children from the St. Joseph home was my first opportunity to perform as Santa Claus, and the suit and bells provided by the hotel were first-rate.
It was energizing when I entered the room packed with children dressed in their best holiday outfits.
(They screamed as some people do at rock concerts.)
The children were exceptional.
Earlier in the program, most had won a small prize playing carnival games, and some tried to give Santa Claus (me) the present they’d just won.
I was overwhelmed by the beauty and simple generosity of the children who had nothing material or even parents to go home to but were willing to give up the toy they’d received that day.
It was inspiring and lit a fire with me and several colleagues.
My Masonic Lodge now works throughout the year to contribute to the Christmas Dinner at the New Sanno and four other orphanages in Tokyo. We deliver dinner, Santa Claus, music, and small gifts.
(Several members of our group are professional musicians, and they put on an excellent show for the children.)
At the end of every event, we gather and celebrate the work and are grateful for the joy it brings the children and ourselves.
(We are always curious to know who benefits more from the day.)
But now, these three remain; faith, hope, and charity, but the greatest of these is charity.
(Corinthians 13:13)
Gordon J Campbell’s first novel, The Courier, is available on Kindle Unlimited.
