Isamu Ogakiuchi
Executive Director, Healing Family Foundation, NPO

Healing Family Foundation (HFF THAI) is an organisation which was set up after the program for disabled people which was part of the “Grassroots Technical Cooperation Project” (formerly “Development Partner Project”) run by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the NPO Saori Hiroba in and around Chiang Mai, Thailand, for three years from October 2002 came to an end together with the project.

Artists at work in Chiang Mai (2019)

We were prompted to begin our activities in Japan when the Thai participants presented their activities in Saga Prefecture as a part of the programme to mark the 120th anniversary of Japan-Thailand diplomatic relations in 2007 (the theme of which was “Smiles create a bridge of love between our hearts”). Study tours to Chiang Mai in order to carry out exchange activities began the following year, 2008. As well as observing the activities in Chiang Mai and interacting with the people involved, tour participants also delivered wheelchairs which were no longer being used in Japan to Chiang Mai in a “Wheelchair Project”.

In 2009, we obtained NPO status, with the goals of carrying out international cooperation and building neighbourhoods which are inclusive for both disabled and able-bodied people. In 2010, we carried out the “Japan-Thailand Nursing Care Technical Cooperation Project” to introduce Japanese nursing care techniques in Thailand, both to the people of Chiang Mai and to Thai dentists, with the collaboration of certified social workers and care workers.

Donating wheelchairs during the study tour (2010)

In October 2012, we set up a daily nursing care and continuous employment support office type B (as laid down in the Comprehensive Support Act for People with Disabilities) in Taku City, Saga Prefecture. It was named “Bridge of Love International Collaboration Support Centre for Disabled People”, and carries out its activities in cooperation with everyone at the Healing Family Foundation in Chiang Mai. Sunflower coasters are among the products made there: they are partially made in Chiang Mai, then completed in Saga. In 2015, an education support fund was set up at the suggestion of the students of Saga Women’s Junior College, who had participated in a study tour, and local volunteers have been supporting disabled children in the villages around Chiang Mai ever since.

Last year, while we were unable to carry out exchange activities in Thailand during COVID, we received some good news. Creem, whom we had been supporting ever since she was young, had entered Rajabhat University in Chiang Mai. Creem has mild intellectual and physical disabilities, and her family environment was also complicated, but the education support fund and untiring support from Mai, a local volunteer, helped her to achieve this result.

An exchange during a study tour. Creem is second from the right. (Photo taken in June 2011)

Creem starting her university studies

The study tours and Wheelchair Project continued every year until 2019, but the impact of COVID have unfortunately prevented us from travelling to Thailand from 2020 onwards. However, we are hopeful that we will finally be able to go to Thailand this year.