Volunteer Crew at Polaris Morishita includes Students.
Here's interview from high school senior Risa.

Encounter with Polaris Morishita

It was around the end of 2023. While participating in the High School Generation Challenge Program (*1), I worked for the Team Salvation, focusing on SDGs 1 and 4, addressing poverty and education.

We were planning a "New Year's play with high school big brothers and sisters" targeting children attending a children's cafeteria in Koto Ward, where the project venue was located.

The initiative was born out of a desire to:
Provide a new venue for interaction to introduce the joy of connecting with people and the warmth of human relationships to the children as well as to encourage the discovery of their unknown abilities through traditional New Year's plays and other old-fashioned games unfamiliar to them.

We, five members, tried to cooperate with all 24 organizations running children's cafeterias in Koto Ward, it was this organization that warmly welcomed us finally.

Reason for Participation
It is Gratitude.

Representative Ms. Miyakawa and everyone at Polaris,supported us in everything; from event planning consultations to venue arrangements, despite us being nobody.

I believe that this project wouldn’t have been possible without serious-minded adults like those at Polaris who not only got totally engaged but also did the brainstorming with us.

Although the project itself didn’t go smoothly, it was a valuable experience in understanding the complexity and importance of welfare.

After the project, I wanted to:
*Repay of courtesy or favour to Polaris.
*Cherish the connections made through coincidences.
*Expand the circle of smiles and happiness.

That's why I have continued to be here.

Things I Want to Achieve Through Activities

I have spent six years in a Catholic mission school and have been exposed to Catholic spirituality. Catholic ideology emphasizes neighborly love:
Love others as you love yourself.
Behave others as you would have them behave towards you.

I want to carry this neighborly love and engage in activities at Polaris. By interacting with many people, I feel warmth. I want to contribute as much as I can to creating a comfortable place where as many people as possible can smile.

Additionally, I want to spread awareness among young generations about "children's cafeterias" and "welfare" to dispel any preconceptions. I hope to encourage young people, including middle and high school students, to participate in volunteering.

Cherishing the Chain of Smiles and Connections
While participating in activities at Polaris, there have been countless moments of joy. Let me share some episodes.

Cherishing the Chain of Smiles and Connections

While participating in activities at Polaris, there have been countless moments of joy. Let me share some episodes.

Firstly, seeing children who visit us happily enjoying their meals with smiles on their faces. I have always loved people, especially those who smile. Their happiness brings me joy and energy. Even though I didn't cook the meals, I feel happy when children tell us, "It's delicious!" or "I ate it all!"
I believe the chain of smiles spreading among guests and staff is one of the wonderful points of this children's cafeteria.

Secondly, new connections formed. I didn't have any acquaintances in Koto Ward or Morishita, but I am happy to be connected with everyone here and grateful to all who are involved with me.

Through Polaris, I had the opportunity to hear about fields like caregiving and nursing, which I hadn’t touched before. Cherishing these coincidental connections, I aim to continue activities in the future.

Risa participates in Polaris' other activities not only the Children's Cafeteria. She actively engages in everything, which is very helpful.

She is also in the monthly Sewing and Craft Club held every other month for children aged 5 to junior high school students. For the latest details and reservations, please check Instagram.

(*1) High School Generation Challenge Program: A program where high school students form groups and launch businesses aiming for profitability based on social issues classified by SDGs.