Interview with Komorebi no Sato
Please tell us about the background of establishing Komorebi no Sato.
Akasaka
Komorebi no Sato was established by members who met during the heavy rain disaster in July 2018.
Since we met through the disaster, we had the desire to do something to support and assist others, and we started with the aim of providing disaster assistance and supporting those who are socially withdrawn or have disabilities.
It was difficult to undertake multiple projects at once, so we first focused on supporting those who are socially withdrawn. Since Chairman Yakushiji is engaged in agriculture, we began by reaching out to socially withdrawn individuals in Kurashiki City and Soja City, asking, "Would you like to do some farming with us?"
Was there a trigger for starting welfare projects in addition to disaster support?
Yakushiji
I once saw a news program where a young person who was working hard suddenly became reluctant to go to work one day, quit their job, and started growing vegetables with a farmer in the countryside.
Vegetables grow beautifully with care, but if neglected, they won't thrive. I thought that interacting with nature and living in dialogue with it could lead to creating a sense of belonging for oneself.
Additionally, there are abandoned farmland and neglected satoyama (traditional rural areas) across Japan. Even in the fields I own, there are areas that I can't keep up with, so I thought it would be good to have socially withdrawn individuals help with those parts, allowing them to feel a sense of purpose and potentially leading to their social reintegration.
What do you think are the attractions of Komorebi no Sato?
Akasaka
Using local specialty bamboo for social contribution is one of the attractions. I believe it is a rare initiative among many Type B employment support facilities.
Komorebi no Sato also offers many seasonal recreational activities like mochi pounding and somen nagashi (flowing noodles), allowing everyone to enjoy while maintaining a good balance between work and leisure.
Yakushiji
Fortunately, there are many people who support Komorebi no Sato. From the very beginning, many have cooperated, allowing us to continue our activities like this.
By utilizing the connections we have built, I hope to continue creating connections between our users and society.
What is the daily schedule for work?
Akasaka
The work itself is from around 10 AM to 4 PM. We provide transportation by car from the work facility to the users' homes, so everyone returns at the same time.
We operate on a cycle of working for 50 minutes and then taking a 10-minute break, but if the users seem to be focused on their work, we often adjust the work time to be a bit longer while observing their condition.
On-site, there are instructors to support the users, as well as service management personnel with expertise in welfare, ensuring a safe working environment for the users at all times.
Yakushiji
Recently, thanks to the users becoming accustomed to the work, we have been able to produce a large quantity smoothly in home work. Preparing has also become second nature.
In Type B employment support facilities, wages are paid from the sales of production activities. Since Komorebi no Sato has solid sales from events and its own products, we hope to continue providing stable wages in the future.
Do you have any memorable episodes with users?
Akasaka
The moments when I can feel the growth of the users are the most rewarding.
When we participated in an event, we often get asked about how to use bamboo charcoal, and the users themselves explain the products. There were users who said, "It's fun to sell what I made myself."
At first, all users are confused by the unfamiliar tasks, but as time passes, they seem to understand the procedures and start moving proactively. Their smiles have also increased significantly compared to the beginning. When someone directly told me, "Komorebi no Sato is fun," I was especially happy.
Do you have any future goals?
Akasaka
First of all, I want to continue operating Komorebi no Sato while increasing the number of users with ongoing support. For that, we definitely need funding.
I want to enjoy product development with the users and find various ways to deliver the finished products to more people.
Additionally, I have a desire to continue protecting the local bamboo in Mabi. I also want to engage in activities that create toys and traditional crafts using bamboo, passing on the charm of the region to the next generation. I hope to brand the bamboo of Mabi someday, not only to people from outside the prefecture but also to locals.
We are also looking for companions (people with disabilities) to work together in a facility that engages in such social contributions. If you are interested, please feel free to come for a visit.
Yakushiji
Komorebi no Sato is operated with the support of many people in the community. I want to continue stable initiatives while collaborating with various individuals who have different ideas and wisdom.
I want to remain a place that can provide activities suited to the individuality of each user.
Conclusion
When I visited Komorebi no Sato, I was impressed by the users working in a very friendly atmosphere.
The calm environment that makes work easy and the appropriate distance for interaction with others may be one of the attractions of Komorebi no Sato.
I thought that disaster recovery support and support for individual independence were completely different fields, but I was surprised to see that the local specialty bamboo is utilized as a common point. I would like to continue supporting social contributions using local specialties.
We are always accepting work experiences and visits, so if you are interested, please do visit Komorebi no Sato directly.
Data of the Non-Profit Organization Komorebi no Sato
| Organization Name | Non-Profit Organization Komorebi no Sato |
|---|---|
| Industry | Welfare for People with Disabilities |
| Representative Name | Chairman Masashi Yakushiji |
| Established Year | March 13, 2020 |
| Address | 154 Ogo, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 050-8884-6822 |
| Website | Non-Profit Organization Komorebi no Sato |
