22 volunteers from BentallGreenOak, joined joined Habitat Japan orphanage repair volunteer session on April 21st, 2023.
BentallGreenOak team visited the Elizabeth Saunders Home, an orphanage in Oiso, Kanagawa and they have been supporting the home for one dormitory upgrade since 2022 when their volunteers helped paint fences and clean out gutters clogged with fallen leaves to improve the facility's environment. Habitat launched a project early this year to build “yagura” modular rooms in one of the boys’ dormitories, which are severely damaged due to aging.
BentallGreenOak volunteers helped sanding eight “yagura” wooden rooms so that children do not get injured. They also helped assembling furniture for each room and attached perforated boards to the walls so that the children can hook things up, while assembling new bed sets, shelves, and desks.
In just half a day's activity, thanks to the great teamwork of the volunteers, the work went well and with this session we were able to finish all the repairs in this dormitory.
The children will soon be returning to their dormitory. They will soon begin living in their newly built private rooms with newly installed furniture. Designed with the concept of a "yagura," the private rooms are an essential space for the children to protect their privacy, relax, and revitalize themselves for the day to come.
We are grateful to BentallGreenOak for their continued support and volunteer efforts.
