Our slogan is 'Let's get summer vacation back!'. We are recruiting volunteers for our child-rearing support team. #2026KumamotoEarthquake
Around 4:27 PM on July 28, an earthquake occurred with its epicenter in the Kumamoto region of Kumamoto Prefecture. A maximum seismic intensity of 7 was recorded in Hikawa Town, Uki City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and strong shaking was observed across a wide area of Kyushu.
In this disaster as well, the evacuation of the elderly has become a major issue and a focus of support. Cases of frailty progressing during evacuation life have already emerged, andthe perspectives of home-based evacuation and home medical care and rehabilitation to support daily life have becomevery important.
In addition, because large-scale secondary evacuation has not progressed as it did during the Noto Peninsula Earthquake,many children and their families remain in evacuation centers and disaster-stricken areas.
Ideally, the early reopening of local infrastructure such as 'nursery schools' and 'schools (or children's activity centers like after-school clubs, since it is summer vacation)' is necessary, but nursery schools in Hikawa Town have suffered significant damage, and with few exceptions, there is no prospect for reopening.
When families with children are affected by a disaster, it is difficult for them to go and organize or clean up their homes. Also, if parents' workplaces have reopened, they cannot go to work unless they have childcare. Many children are also unable to separate from their families due to the trauma of the earthquake.
As two weeks pass since the occurrence, the number of people falling into unexpected situations related to the disaster is increasing all at once. We have entered a period where the mental strain on local residents is likely to manifest.
Therefore,we, the Medical Corporation Orange/Orange Group, in collaboration with the Hikawa Town Health and Medical Coordination Headquarters, will begin providing daytime activity support for children at the Hikawa Town Child-rearing Support Center as a support activity centered on child-rearing.
Overview of Child-rearing Support Recruitment
Rather than just 'babysitting,' we hope to create a cycle where children regain their own strength while reclaiming their daily lives through 'play' and 'friends,' and then those energized children can bring energy to their families and the community.
Please note that we are not targeting only children with medical needs this time. There are currently no children with medical needs among our users. (As of the publication of this note)
▶︎Target for recruitment:Nursery teachers, sitters, school teachers, after-school staff, nurses, people with child-rearing experience, play experts, homework experts, etc.
▶︎Target age for support:0 years old to elementary school age
▶︎Activity hours:
・Those who can participate for a full day from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
・We especially welcome teams from organizations such as nursery schools or social welfare corporations that can provide multiple people for a long term. Individuals will be handled according to the situation.
・Nursery teachers belonging to the Child-rearing Support Center will also participate in support on weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
・Opening date: 2026.8.7
Further details will be provided during coordination.
How to apply:
1. Please fill out the Google Form
(Available 8/16)
2. For those who know Orange/Beniya directly: 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.
▶︎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 coordinate based on the number of people and the dates you are available. Please note that we may not be able to meet your requests, and there may be urgent requests or changes.
▶︎We may prioritize corporations or organizations that can commit for a longer term over individuals. Please understand that you may not be able to participate 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.)
Why is our Medical Corporation Orange/Orange Group conducting these activities?
For this 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, our group's 'Orange Kids Care Lab' will be involved in coordination in collaboration with the Hikawa Town Health and Medical Coordination Headquarters.
We have established a system to rush to the scene whenever our colleagues across the country are hit by a disaster.
When we provided support during the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake (in April), we rented out a campsite in Hikawa Town and provided support by picking up children from evacuation centers in Kumamoto City every day to play to their heart's content at the campsite.
This time, we would like to focus on Hikawa Town, where we were taken care of in 2016, and exert our efforts with the slogan 'Let's get summer back together!' for the children.
To those reading this, please lend us your strength.
Thank you for reading to the end. If you like, please click the like button, share, etc. 👋
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Text publication date: 2026.8.10
Update date: 2026.8.16
Responsible for text: Medical Corporation Orange, Beniya/Fujioka