In Mabi, Kurashiki City, which suffered significant damage from the heavy rain in July 2018, there is an organization that has been creating places for children since 2019.
The organization is called Gakumabi, which promotes the philosophy of Let's Play, Let's Learn, Let's Connect. Adults and university students have cooperated to protect a place where children can be themselves.
The representative, Matsumoto Tatsumi, who is also a victim of the disaster in Mabi, has supported this activity.
We will introduce the progress and future of Gakumabi's activities.
About Gakumabi
Gakumabi has been active since its launch in 2019, based on the theme of Let's Play, Let's Learn, Let's Connect proposed by students.
Background of Activity Launch
The impetus for starting the activity was when a student from Yamaguchi University saw news about the heavy rain in July 2018 and learned that "the children in Mabi are still having a hard time."
That student couldn't sit still and visited a nursing facility in Mabi alone, beginning to explore ways to provide support. They connected with other students volunteering in Okayama and students from Kurashiki, and when they decided they wanted to do something together, one of the adult supporters who was called upon was Matsumoto.
Before the heavy rain in July 2018, Matsumoto had been running a family association for dementia as a community activity, and since Matsumoto was also a victim, they began to move with the students thinking, "There might be something I can do."
In 2019, although evacuation centers had been closed, there were many children who wanted to return to their homes in Mabi but could not, and children who had returned to Mabi but had no place to play.
During the summer vacation when elementary schools were closed and parents were at work, there was a high demand for a place where children could be safely left, leading to the start of activities to create a place where children could spend their time freely in August 2019.
Subsequently, in June 2020, they registered as a voluntary organization and have continued their activities to this day.
Activity Content
Gakumabi's activity days are mainly Sundays, aiming for two sessions per month.
The main activities currently held for elementary school students are as follows:
- Playing and Learning with Children
Idea crafts, origami, drawing, tag, town walks (finding dangerous places), what is ethical?, English cooking, etc. - Connecting with Local People
Mochi-pounding event, Tengu Mountain excursion, children's yoga class, self-introduction board game, etc.
They provide time for elementary school students to play freely, and invite volunteer instructors from outside for yoga, cooking, and board games, offering a program that combines play and learning.
University students take the lead in planning and operating, while Matsumoto and other adults support the planning and arrangements. They place importance on the growth of the university students involved in the operation, fostering their initiative to try things they find interesting and test their own abilities.
Additionally, starting in 2023, a project called Mabi Future Project (MMP) has begun, where middle school students think about what they can do for the future of Mabi and plan disaster prevention courses.
Activity Status
On the day I interviewed, there were two university students and 15 elementary school students participating.
In the morning, they played at the community center, and in the afternoon, at the children's request to "play outside," they went to a nearby schoolyard.
After returning, the university students organized an art activity using alcohol and permanent markers to dye fabric.
They lined up the completed works and showed each other, saying, "This is beautiful!"
Some children focused on creating art, while others played with balloons or blocks, and it was impressive to see them enjoying themselves in their own ways.
I spoke with Matsumoto, who has been involved with Gakumabi since its inception and has worked hard to continue its activities.
Gakumabi Data
| Organization Name | Gakumabi |
|---|---|
| Representative Name | Matsumoto Tatsumi |
| Year Established | 2019 |
| Address | Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Gakumabi |
