By Fr. Sato Naoki, SDB
Chofu-Tokyo, Japan, November 25, 2015 - I was privileged to meet on the commemoration day of Mamma Margaret (25 November 1856) one Mamma Margaret of Japan. Not very far from our Chofu Formation House was started in 2010 a special work for the young people in need by one Catholic retired woman Mrs. Shirahata Maki.
'Kiitos' - in Finnish language means Thanks - NGO (in Japan Non Political Organization, NPO) was started by Mrs. Shirahata (66 years, retired public officer and practicing Catholic) with a few other friends. In reality Kiitos offers to the young people in need a safe place for their basic personal needs like food, psychological help, education accompaniment (http://www.kiitos.org).
Based in the area of Chofu City, a small rented second floor facility is open daily (10 AM - 8 PM) for young people in need (from teenagers to young adults). At present some 250 youth are registered and receive daily some food, counselling, tutoring or other necessary services. About 45 volunteers from the territory is involved in this unique work. The municipal government of Chofu offers about 30% of the necessary means. For the rest the NGO depends on the fundraising or charity concert, like the incoming 11th Kitto-iino concert organized in the Salesian parish of Chofu next 13th December.
Since last April, thanks to one Salesian Cooperator of Chofu Center, the Salesians got in touch with Kiitos and now are regularly interacting with the youth and being inspired by this lay people activity for the poor youth. Indeed also in Japan due to the economical situation are growing numbers of young people who suffer malnutrition, lack of parents care (single parent family, or parent with no time for their children) or other reasons. Apparently some similar space for the young in need, like "Kiitos" is not easy to find even in the large Tokyo area.
In the preparation for the Provincial Chapter 2016, the example of different lay people activities on behalf of the poor young people does inspire the Salesians. Indeed Mrs. Shirahata is invited for next December monthly recollection talk to our confreres in Tokyo. From the times of Don Bosco until now we experience that 'the poor young people are saving the Salesians', as often repeats our Rector Major.
Arigato Gosaimasu, Mamma Margaret!
