Aiming for a 'Child-Centered Shelter.' We are recruiting volunteers for the Mother and Child Shelter in Hikawa Town, Kumamoto Prefecture #2026KumamotoEarthquake
Starting August 6, a mother and child shelter was opened at the Miyahara Welfare Center Sakura in Hikawa Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, with support from DMAT. For example, when families with children face difficulties in the environment of a general shelter, they can have their problems solved at the mother and child shelter, where they can receive support such as childcare monitoring, private spaces for pregnant and nursing mothers, and relief supplies like diapers and baby food.
The following day, August 7, at the Child-rearing Support Center within the same Miyahara Welfare Center Sakura, we, the medical corporation Orange Orange Group, collaborated with the Hikawa Town Health and Medical Coordination Headquarters to begin daytime activity support for children, and we have been involved in its operation by joining forces with people from all over the country.
We are recruiting volunteers for the Mother and Child Shelter in Hikawa Town.
The Child-rearing Support Center has needs that are both beyond expectations and exactly as imagined, serving as a place where children can spend their days and engage in activities while their parents go to clean up their homes or attend to work.
On the other hand, the mother and child shelter is seeing its needs increase day by day, making a further support system an urgent priority.
Therefore, as of August 12, we have taken on the role of coordinating the operations of both the mother and child shelter and the child-rearing support center, and expanding the support system further.
Our goal is a 'child-centered shelter.'
Mother and Child Shelter Volunteer Recruitment Overview
▶︎Target: To establish a 2-shift, 24-hour system, we are recruiting staff who can also work at night. Nurses, midwives, psychologists, childcare workers, experienced parents, etc.
▶︎Eligible recipients/Age: Pregnant and nursing mothers living in the town, children under 18, and their families can use the facility.
▶︎Activity hours: To establish a 2-shift, 24-hour system, we are recruiting staff who can also work at night.
▶︎Opening date: 2026.8.6
Child-rearing Support Center Volunteer Recruitment Overview
▶︎Target: Childcare workers, sitters, teachers, after-school staff, nurses, experienced parents, play experts, homework experts, etc.Professionals + teenagers are also active here!
▶︎Eligible recipients/Age: 0 years old to elementary school age
▶︎Activity hours:
・Those who can work a full day from 8:00 to 18:00
・We especially welcome teams from organizations such as nursery schools or social welfare corporations that can provide multiple people for long-term support. Individuals will be handled based on the situation.
・Childcare workers belonging to the Child-rearing Support Center will also participate in support on weekdays from 9:00 to 16:00.
▶︎Opening date: 2026.8.7
There are two ways to apply, including a form.
▶︎How to apply:
Please be aware that the coordinator will assign activities for the mother and child shelter and the child-rearing support center based on your experience and qualifications.
1. Please fill out the Google Form
https://forms.gle/khkvH5r11fHZmhvv5
2. For those who know Orange/Beniya personally: Please contact via Messenger. https://www.facebook.com/hiroyuki.beniya.9
As a group, we will conduct on-site coordination and information gathering partially online. Please consolidate your contact to one of the two methods above. Further details will be provided during coordination.
▶︎The duration is currently undecided. It depends on the reopening of nursery schools and schools, as well as local needs.
▶︎After you apply, we will adjust based on the dates you are available, including the number of people and the duration. Please note that we may not be able to meet your requests, and there may be urgent requests or changes.
▶︎Priority may be given to corporations or organizations that can commit for a longer term over individuals. Please understand that you may not be able to join even if you apply.
▶︎Please arrange your own transportation to the site. It is easy to get a rental car from Fukuoka or Kumamoto Station. If you are staying overnight, some accommodation is possible at the facility, but please secure a hotel in Kumamoto City. (Kumamoto to the facility is about 1 hour by car, depending on traffic.)
Center: Karakawa, disaster support coordinator
Right: Koide, Child-rearing Support Center
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We have maintained a system to rush to the aid of our colleagues across the country whenever they are affected by a disaster.
When we provided support during the Kumamoto Earthquake in April 2016, we rented out a campsite in Hikawa Town entirely and provided support by picking up children staying in shelters in Kumamoto City every day to bring them to the campsite to play to their hearts' content.
This time, focusing on Hikawa Town, where we were taken care of in 2016, we would like to join forces with the slogan, 'Let's get summer back together!' for the children.
To those reading this, please lend us your strength.
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Reference: The slogan is 'Take back summer vacation!'. We are recruiting activity members for our child-rearing support volunteer team. See the note article below.
Thank you for reading until the end. If you like, please hit the like button or share this post.👋
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Text publication date: 2026.8.16
Responsible for text: Medical Corporation Orange, Beniya & Fujioka