MOTIVATION | The Shelter for Mothers

A mother of four, Ms. Iwase spent much of her childhood in a Jidoukan in Suginami Ward. Jidoukan does not have any restrictions for who can play inside of its facility, such as children’s age and whether their parents are working. On the other hand in Odawara, she was struggling to raise her children. When she tried to take them to a local support center, she was told that only her oldest child is eligible for the center to take care. She was shocked by their uncaring response, and she thought that she does not want anyone else to feel the same way. So she began to think about what she can do to change this situation, using her experience as a nursery school teacher.

ツナガリ｜切り開いたのは親たち

小田原へ移住してきた「よそ者」の岩瀬さんは児童館施設の重要性について自治体から理解を得るのに苦戦していた。打破の鍵となったのは、長年小田原に住み、公民館を利用していたママパパとの出会い。小さな活動や子育てイベントで繋がると、新旧の住民が分け隔てなく児童館の意義に共感し、人脈を活かしながら開催を手伝ってくれた。その後も活動を持続するための繋がりに恵まれ、岩瀬さんは、逆境の中でいつも味方になってくれる家族や、応援の電話をくれるご近所さんに何度も救われたという。次第にボランティアや共感者が増え、児童館の開催を広める「おだわら児童館連合」の結成に至った。

ECOSYSTEM | Parents were the Breakthrough

In order to establish a Jidoukan in such an exclusionary situation, getting understanding from the local government was necessary. The key to the breakthrough was the relation with local Moms and Dads. Mrs. Iwase and the parents met through small childcare activities and communication activities. Transcending the gap between old and new residents, they shared the vision for the significance of Jidoukan. Not only did they share a space in the community center, but they also gave her the opportunity to make a direct presentation to the city council members. It's a great example for many readers who are taking on to the new challenges.

コツ｜なぜやるのか。確かな想いが人を集める

岩瀬さんの児童館は１組２００円で利用できる(取材時点）。市の補助金を受けて辛うじて成り立ってきたが、運営を続けることは容易ではない。幸い、児童館の認知は広がってきており、近年は寄付金等の支援も増えている。岩瀬さんは、後述の活動もあわせて地域の親たちを支える仕組みをゼロから作り上げている。「母のために」と語るその姿は力強く、確かなビジョンが信頼を育み、安心で応援したくなるような児童館を生みだしているのかも知れない。もちろん前提として、保育の資格があることや、人としての信用は重要だ。

TIPS | Why does she do it? A solid belief attracts people.

At the time of the interview, the Jidoukan was available for 200 yen per group. In the beginning the Jidoukan was funded heavily by the subsidy from the Government of Odawara; in recent days the number of donations has been increasing. In addition to the activities mentioned below, Ms. Iwase has created a system from scratch to support mothers (and fathers) in the community. Her vision of "for the sake of mothers" is very powerful, and this may be the reason why she fosters trust and makes people want to support her. Of course, it is important to have qualifications in childcare and to have a trustworthy personality.

コレカラ｜衣食住を切り口として親子コミュニティを支える

核家族化などを背景に、親たちの不安を和らげるようなセーフティネットが減ってきている。岩瀬さんは小田原に移住してきた頃の自分のような悲劇を生まないために、日々奮闘している。近年ではボランティアや共感者が増えていき、家事の負担を減らし会話のきっかけを生み出す「親子食堂」や、新たな移住者が街を知り人と繋がるための「街歩きオリエンテーション」など、衣食住の面から親子のコミュニティを支える活動のほか、小田原を飛び出して「出張児童館」も開催している。こうした現代らしいセーフティネットのあり方が今後、小田原から広がっていきそうだ。

FOR THE FUTURE | Supporting the Essential living in the Community

With the recent wave of Japanese families becoming more nuclear, there are fewer safety nets to ease the anxiety of parents. Ms. Iwase is struggling every day to prevent tragedies like her own when she first moved to the city. In recent years, she has been supporting the community of parents and children in terms of food, clothing, and shelter through activities such as a parent-child cafeteria and an orientation for newcomers to the city. She also runs “out-reach Jidoukan” with the support of new members. It is likely that this kind of modern safety net will spread from Odawara to other cities in the future.