Nurtured within the community

On Saturday, there was the 'Citizen's Simultaneous City Beautification Day' activity in our school district.

Following that, there was the Tsutsui Play Disaster Prevention event.

I had to leave this activity early as well to head to my second son's basketball game.

Although they seem completely different, what they all have in common is that we are living in this town while raising our children.

In my NPO activities, that is the main target.
The term 'child-centered society' has finally started to be publicly stated, but since the founding of Sukiccha 15 years ago, we have always aimed to build a community with children at the center.

Children are nurtured in that town, among the people of that town.
I would be happy if they could come to love their place, their own place to belong.

I want to provide that kind of 'support for community development'.

In the morning, it was the 'Citizen's Simultaneous City Beautification Day'
We did our customary cleaning along the Murasaki River.

The grass-cutting team mowed from early in the morning, and
the cleaning team gathered a little later.

Since I had plans later, I participated from the first grass-cutting team in the morning.
The grass hadn't grown that much, but we mowed it all the way through.

The children had said they wanted to go, but they couldn't participate because everyone had different schedules, like going to games or practice.

They don't get anything in particular for it, just helping the adults who are doing the cleaning activities.
It's not like there are a lot of children there either.
Even so, they always go with me.

Surely, if they go, there are lots of local people there, and something is going on.
I think that feeling is somehow good.

In this way, I realize that they are growing up within the community.

When I interview people who are enthusiastic about community activities, I often hear them say,
'Since this is the town that took care of me since I was little, I'm doing this to pay them back.'
I'm sure that's a common motivation.

But I didn't grow up in this town. I moved here while raising my children. I'm sure the majority of people are like that.
I think people who have been able to pass through generations in their own town are in the minority.

In such a situation, does that mean we don't have to pay back our own town?

I think it is just a cycle that repeats itself, much like the passing of generations.
That is why I intend to get involved in local activities in this town I have moved to, and my children are watching me do so.

I am sure my children will end up raising their own children in different communities, but I would be happy if they could pass it on in that way.

An official basketball game.
Teams gather from various regions.
It is like a team competition, but it is also a regional competition.
Children from multiple schools have gathered in our team as well.
I have watched them grow ever since they were small and unskilled.
The parents are also friends.

In this way, they grow up within the community.
Even after practice ends, they play with the same members.
Parents can also contact each other.
Parents watch over each other's children, saying things like, 'They've grown taller,' or 'They've gotten better.'
They are growing up within this town.

In this way, the children are naturally growing up in this town, surrounded by the people of this town.

I believe this is what 'community education' is.

While 'school education' and 'home education' are of course important,
I would be happy if this kind of 'community education' were valued much more and if more people would turn their attention to it.

As an NPO player,
As a member of an active parent organization,
As a member of local activists,
As a parent raising children,
That is what I hope for.

In Saitama Prefecture, it seems that matters concerning child abuse are being considered as a proposed ordinance amendment.

Abuse is absolutely wrong.
Neglecting children is absolutely wrong.

I believe that is true.

However, I think the current proposal goes too far.

It is trying to push all the responsibility for watching over and ensuring the safety of children onto homes, schools, and facilities.
Are they trying to create a society that manages and monitors children?

I repeat,
Of course, I want to protect the safety and lives of children, and I want there to be no children who are isolated or burdened.

But,
I do not think this is something that should be bound by rules or 'obligations'.

Children are playing happily in the park all by themselves.
This counts as neglect and is a violation of the ordinance.

Neighbors who see this have a duty to report it.
That is the kind of ordinance proposal it is.

The current situation is something like this.

A neighborhood man who always keeps an eye on things calls out, "Hey there, you kids have a lot of energy!"
He calls out to them.

Then the parents receive an email:
"A suspicious man called out to us."

This is the kind of world we live in... sweat

I feel like this problem here should come first, sweat

Thank you for watching again today.

<"Today's" article from one year ago★>

A year ago, we were also challenging ourselves with disaster prevention play!!
Both the main Sukiccha organization and the Sukiccha Academy have gained quite a lot of strength!!

<"Today's" article from two years ago★>

This is an article I really like.
Let's look back at it.
I want to keep making an effort so I don't have any regrets.