Interview with Representative Inoue Masaki
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Inoue Masaki is reaching out to those in need and providing consultations in this rapidly changing era.
I spoke with him about his past activities and future plans.
Background to the Establishment of "Haru House"
I understand that "Haru House" was established as a result of a children's cafeteria. Could you tell us about that?
Inoue
There was a suggestion from the local community to open a children's cafeteria in the Mizushima area.
At that time, I was involved in educational support for families in need, so I attended that meeting, and we decided to establish the children's cafeteria.
We named it "Mizushima Children's Cafeteria Misora♪" and prepared from January to July 2017, opening for a preview in August, and held it every month for about two and a half years.
At that time, volunteers and local people gathered to cook together, creating an at-home atmosphere like a family gathering at the children's cafeteria.
However, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, we could no longer hold the children's cafeteria where everyone could eat together.
Yet, the number of families in need continued to rise due to the pandemic.
After much consideration, we decided to switch to a "Food Share Meeting."
We would separate donated items like rice, vegetables, and refrigerated goods, allowing those in need to come and pick them up.
Shortly after that, a state of emergency was declared, and gatherings of people were no longer permitted.
Receiving calls from families whose finances were strained due to the pandemic, I couldn't just sit idly by, so I started the "Food Share Car," loading food into my car and driving around.
Even now, I continue to deliver food to families in urgent need once or twice a month.
During the pandemic, I organized routes and visited two or three places a day, driving my personal car almost every day.
Requests for Donations and Support Supplies Using Social Media
How did you gather supplies to distribute to families in need?
Inoue
There was a network established during the disaster in Mabi (the July 2018 heavy rain disaster).
This network could only disseminate information about the disaster, but during the pandemic, I communicated that there were families in disaster-level need without food for the day and called for support supplies.
I also spread the word using various social media platforms.
Thanks to that, many supplies arrived, which we were able to distribute to those in need.
Recently, we have been listing necessary support supplies on an internet sales service (Amazon Wishlist).
For the companies and individuals who provided support, I express my gratitude by writing thank-you letters, making phone calls, and posting on social media.
Reasons for Opening "Haru House"
How did you come to decide to open "Haru House"?
Inoue
To protect the privacy of those receiving support through the "Food Share Car," we would meet at nearby supermarkets to hand over food and have brief conversations.
We distributed supplies to over 200 households and had consultations with more than 50 households.
To transport support supplies in my personal car, I needed a place to keep food and other supplies.
Moreover, it was difficult to have deep conversations in the parking lot of a supermarket.
Due to the pandemic, while I couldn't gather 50 people for a meal once a month, I thought it was necessary to have a place where I could consult with 5 to 10 people daily, so I began looking for a property.
I then rented a house that would become the current "Haru House" as an individual.
At that time, I was paying the rent out of my own pocket.
While I didn't have a clear outlook for donations at that time, I currently discuss with the staff and cover rent, gas, water, utility costs, and communication fees from donations.
Origin of the Name "Haru House"
How did you decide on the name "Haru House"?
Inoue
The "Haru" in "Haru House" also carries the meaning of "blue waves" from Amami Oshima.
In fact, about 7 or 8 years ago, I fell ill and was unable to work.
During that time, a neighbor invited me to help with a job on Amami Oshima run by an acquaintance.
At that time, I already had a family, but I decided to go to Amami Oshima alone.
Amami Oshima welcomed me with a landscape of sea and sky stretching out before me, with gentle waves and a blue sea.
As I spent my days surrounded by that scenery, my heart and body began to heal.
Another reason is that there was a charitable facility called "Hul House" established by Jane Addams, known as the mother of social welfare in Chicago.
I thought this was fate and named it "Haru House."
Reasons Why Inoue Continues to Provide Support
Where does Inoue's motivation come from?
Inoue
Perhaps because my father worked as an instructor at a facility called "Aozora Gakuen" for children with asthma, I naturally feel compelled to help those in need.
Aozora Gakuen was a facility for children with asthma located near a hospital. It provided support for asthma children and their families, including doctors, nurses, and childcare workers. It opened in 1978 and accepted a total of 50 patients until it closed in 1989.
Mizushima Foundation | Mizushima Children's Cafeteria Misora Edition Public PDF
However, during my adolescence, I witnessed the historical background and disparities in poverty, and I felt that the town of Mizushima was creating misfortune.
But should I blame the town and take no action, or should I strive to change it even a little?
I want to continue growing as a person, and I dislike the idea of not being able to grow.
I like the version of myself that struggles to change unpleasant situations, and I believe that life is definitely happier that way.
To ensure a happy ending, I have decided to turn any situation into laughter and overcome it.
Inoue's Thoughts
What do you feel while working at "Haru House"?
Inoue
During the pandemic, the "Food Share Meeting" was held in the yard of "Haru House."
When I handed over large amounts of food and daily necessities to those who came to pick them up, they were surprised at how much they received and gradually began to open their hearts.
After meeting several times, relationships were formed, and some shared their worries with me, leading to connections with necessary organizations.
There were also instances where those who had always been on the receiving end of support brought supplies to us.
I witnessed a change of heart in those who had previously only focused on their own situations, as they began to take on the role of helpers.
I am moved every day while engaging in support activities.
Even in supporting families in difficulty, it is fundamentally a series of discoveries, and I am growing alongside them.
I consider how to best support those who come for consultations, respecting their feelings while working together to find solutions.
Future Activities
What activities do you want to carry out in the future?
Inoue
Since food support is almost entirely volunteer-based, it does not generate income.
While considering what can be done while operating "Haru House," I thought of introducing a ticket system for a curry business that allows families in need to eat for free.
In addition to allowing the general public to purchase and enjoy curry, there will be a system where they can buy goodwill meal tickets for someone in need, enabling anyone to eat curry for free using those tickets.
I hope to implement this new system in the community to help create a better society.
Currently, curry is sold only on Tuesdays and Fridays, but this may change, so please check our Instagram and contact us via DM (direct message).
Takeout is also available, and you can eat at "Haru House" (reservation required).
Please give it a try!
Tasting the Curry from "Haru House"
The author went to "Haru House" right away to try the curry.
Inoue has previously worked at a French restaurant, and the cooking is authentic.
It was a curry with a gentle flavor, perfectly spiced, unlike the curry made at home.
When I asked, I learned that they use half of the onions and tomatoes sautéed to a deep color, blended to achieve a perfect texture.
The curry was generously topped with side dishes, making for a very satisfying lunch.
Conclusion
Inoue-san always acted with the children and the vulnerable in mind first.
When establishing the curry division, he considered how to sell it so that children who cannot have meals outside of school can eat, and how to get the local people to cooperate.
He was constantly pondering the best method for everyone.
Because Inoue-san always thinks seriously about others and interacts sincerely, the local people support him, and those in need open their hearts.
I felt that "Haru House," which was born from the children's cafeteria, has become a place of emotional support for the people living in the Mizushima area, even though many cannot gather there.
“Our activities may be different from ordinary children's cafeterias.
Haru House is a system that has evolved from children's cafeterias, and it is ideal for such facilities to exist in multiple locations in the community,”
Inoue-san says.
Inoue-san's activities to become ingrained in the community will continue from now on.
The author thought that he would continue to go eat the delicious curry made by Inoue-san.
Data on Everyone's Home Haru House
| Organization Name | Everyone's Home Haru House |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Representative Name | Inoue Masaki |
| Year Established | December 2020 |
| Address | 5-17 Kitakasuga-cho, Mizushima, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 080-3898-8106 |
| Website | Facebook Everyone's Home "Haru House" |
