“あたたかい家庭当たり前に” 入所理由の9割は虐待　子供の居場所守る男性の思い【佐賀県】 (24/04/01 18:18)

Children who are orphaned, abused, or have other complicated circumstances live under the same roof in child welfare facilities. As of March 1, there are five facilities in the prefecture, with over 100 children living there. We followed staff who look after the children as substitutes for their guardians. [Sato Hiroyuki] "Okay, I'll serve the food to you all. Please." The children sit around the dining table. One after another, they gobble down the rice. This is Senshin Ryo, a child welfare facility in Kiyama Town. [Sato Hiroyuki] "This is the children's home, so we do the obvious things, as a matter of course. I think it's important to be able to do them without even thinking about it." Sato Hiroyuki, 40, is a child guidance worker who lives with the children in place of their guardians. This spring, we sent off some children who turned 18 again. [High school senior] "It was a nice place, comfortable like home." [High school senior] "I'll never forget it, and I'm really grateful." "I'm back~" "Welcome back! How was school?" 3pm. Mr. Sato, who is in charge of the boys' building, begins his busy day. "Nice ball!" Playing catch with the kids who have just come home from school. It's an important time to close the emotional distance. [Sato Yuyu] "I try to create one-on-one time and ask them things like, 'How are you doing lately? From my perspective, you look a little gloomy. You seem to be having a lot of fun lately, but has anything good happened?' I try to do it as much as possible. I can't do it every day, but I try to do it." There are five child welfare facilities in the prefecture. At Senshin Ryo, of these, more than 20 children between the ages of 3 and 18 live and wake up under the same roof. 90% of the reasons for entering the facility are domestic abuse. [5th grade boy] "I came here when I was about 3 years old? I don't remember anything. Everyone is smiling, so I can play and release my stress." It is said that many children have a negative view of their own existence due to painful past experiences. [Yuyu Sato] "When they are scolded, yelled at, and yelled at, they are unable to express their feelings in words. If they do express their feelings, they end up thinking too much about whether they will be scolded or how adults will feel, and as a result, they are unable to express themselves in words." "Prayer. I am deeply happy and grateful for the meal." We heal the wounds in the children's hearts and help them become independent. To do this, it is important to support them by accumulating very ordinary daily experiences, such as eating three warm meals a day and playing together. Q. How is it being here? [Sixth Grade Elementary School Student] "It was great. We got to play outside a lot and eat meals together. It was a lot of fun, and I got to learn a lot of different things, so it was great." Sato originally wanted to work with children. He became a child guidance officer 19 years ago in 2005, and has been in charge of a total of 150 children. [Sato Hiroyuki] "The only job I could do that involved children's 'life' was in a child welfare facility. When the children told me, 'I'm so glad you said that to me back then. You're helping me so much now,' I felt so glad. It was rewarding...I felt relieved." Together with other staff members, they worked shifts, such as early and late shifts and night shifts, to be close to the children. [Mr. Sato] "2000 yen and 1000 yen today." [Boy] "Really?" [Mr. Sato] "Yeah, that's all I have right now. You knew that, right?" [Boy] "Yeah~" On Sunday, Mr. Sato drives the kids around in his car. [Mr. Sato Yuyu] "Decide your priorities. If we had everything, I don't think you could buy everything." They head to a shopping center in Tosu City. At first glance, it may seem like just shopping, but it has an important meaning. The children receive living expenses from the government according to their age. However, after they leave the center, they have to live on their own. To help them develop a sense of money, Mr. Sato urges them to pay for it themselves. [Sato Yutaka] "I think it's important to create an environment where we can teach the obvious things as a matter of course, so I'm doing it." [Principal's greeting] "Congratulations to all 113 students on your graduation." Not only will they stay in the facility, but they will also participate in "school events" as parents. This day is the graduation ceremony for Kiyama Elementary School. It's a big day for the children. [Sato Yutaka] "I was glad that they received their diplomas with pride, and I once again felt that the children are growing up through their own efforts." [Director of the facility, Cho's greeting] "Congratulations on your graduation. With your eyes on vocational school, you come home from high school and immediately go to your part-time job by bicycle, and I just thought, 'Do your best!'" A pep rally was also held...