Yoko Ogisu
Board Member of an Organization Supporting Children with Serious Illnesses
A Place Where Children with Serious Illnesses Come to Spend Time
Yoko Ogisu(left)
At Aozora Republic in Hakushu, Yamanashi Prefecture
The plece is located in Hakushu, Yamanashi Prefecture, famous for its whiskey production.
The water of the nearby Jingū River is astonishingly clear, and clouds drift just above the peaks of the Yatsugatake Mountains.
On the vast 10,000-square-meter grounds stand five wooden lodges.
Children with rare diseases or disabilities, along with their families, come to “Aozora Republic.”
The children play in the plaza surrounded by trees,
while their families spend quiet time nearby.
A Life Dedicated to Children
Yoko Ogisu is a board member of the National Network for Supporting Children with Serious Illnesses, a certified NPO that operates this facility.
After graduating from college, she worked as an elementary school teacher.
Once she had finished raising her own children and caring for her parents, and finally had some time to herself, she began volunteering with children.
She earned her “Toy Consultant” certification at the Tokyo Toy Museum, and as she interacted with children, she began to get involved in supporting sick children as well. Playing with Children with Serious Illnesses.
Playing with Children with Serious Illnesses
She still remembers the day she first went to volunteer with sick children.
“That child didn’t have hands. I had brought some toys, but I was at a loss as to how to play with a child who had no hands.”
However, seemingly oblivious to my concerns, the child began playing happily with the toys using a spoon held in his mouth.
Before I knew it, we had been playing for nearly an hour.
Ms. Ogisu has witnessed countless instances where children demonstrate unexpected abilities through play.
“There was a child whose right hand wouldn’t move due to the aftereffects of a stroke. He was about two years old. When I rolled a plastic bottle toy filled with bells, he quickly reached out with his right hand—which shouldn’t have worked—and grabbed it. His mother was very surprised when she saw that.”
She also visited the home of a child who was bedridden and had difficulty communicating.
Since there was no response, She wondered if what she was doing had any meaning.
She casually asked the child’s mother, “How has it been since you started playing with me?”
“You might not have noticed, but when we play, this child gets so happy that their cheeks turn a little red.”
“Also, look—this child’s eyes are open. Usually, they close right away.”
Time Beyond Medicine
Treating illness is the role of medicine.
But medicine cannot support every moment of a child’s and a family’s life.
Outside the examination room, there is a time that has yet to be named.
Playing, laughing, simply spending time with someone.
Ogisu came to realize that volunteers are those who gently stand by during such moments.
Preserving a Place for Children with Serious Illnesses
Currently, Ogisu visits Aozora Republic in Hakushu once or twice a month from her home in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Working in collaboration with Mr. Tanaka, who manages operations on site, she continues to maintain an environment where sick children and their families can spend their free time without worry.
“My role is to refine the environment just a little more and then pass the baton to the next generation.
Just before Mr. Kobayashi, who founded this Aozora Republic, passed away, he told me this over the phone:
‘Ms. Ogisu, I’m counting on you to take care of the Aozora Republic.’”
By Takeshi Kikkawa