Habitat Japan's Facility Repair Program is an initiative designed to repair welfare facilities such as orphanages and shelters. These sites provide temporary or alternative housing and a safe and secure environment for the vulnerable. With SC Johnson's continued support, it implemented three repair projects in 2023.

One such project is Yokohama Kunmouin, an orphanage for children with disabilities in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. It was established as a home for visually impaired children to learn daily life skills. Today, the orphanage houses forty children, ranging from preschoolers to high school students, with various disabilities. The building, constructed over fifty years ago, had deteriorated noticeably and needed to be renovated or rebuilt. Rebuilding was not optimal considering the costs as well as the need to accommodate the residents during construction. Instead, plans were made to repair and upgrade various areas to ensure a safe and secure living environment.

In response to the orphanage's needs, Habitat Japan began working with SC Johnson to repair the facility in 2021. That year, Habitat renovated children’s rooms that were severely damaged. The following year, it upgraded the washstands to provide access to hot water and replaced the doors in all the bedrooms. This year, Habitat renovated the orphanage’s three bathrooms and changing areas.

The first-floor boys’ bathrooms, which were built when the facility initially opened, had peeling tiles, and only one of the three showers was usable. In addition, the changing rooms lacked air conditioning, and the staff had to use fans to manage the heat and humidity during the summer. On the other hand, the bathroom on the fourth floor is relatively new but had no changing area. The children changed on bath mats causing their clothes to get wet. Additionally, some of the older children felt uncomfortable changing in front of others.

After consultation with the orphanage and with the support of SC Johnson, Habitat repaired the three bathrooms. Mr. Uchida, a staff member, expressed his gratitude, saying, "were very happy that the three showers are now available, and the children can bathe at the same time. Also, assisting with bathing is a time-consuming task for the staff, so being able to bathe all the children at once has been very helpful.”

  • Installed Air Conditioner

  • Renovated the Bath for Boys

  • Built a Changing Space in the Bath for Girls

In 2023, Habitat also restored a room at a shelter for single-mother families and made repairs to the Asahi Children's Home in Asahi-ku, Yokohama. The orphanage, which also serves as a local child and family support center, was built about 20 years ago. Unfortunately, the waterproofing of the rooftops and balconies had deteriorated, and they could not be maintained due to a lack of funds. After learning about Habitat's repair program, Mr. Okuyama, the organization's director, contacted Habitat for help. With SC Johnson’s support, the waterproofing repairs were successfully carried out. When we visited Mr. Okuyama after the repair work, he told us," It means a lot to the orphanage to have a better place for the children to live."

  • Asahi Children's Home

  • Before the Waterproofing Repair

  • After the Waterproofing Repair

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to SC Johnson for their continued generous support, which makes it possible to provide safer and more decent places for vulnerable children to live.

About SC Johnson
Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin USA, SC Johnson believes that a more sustainable, healthier and transparent world that inspires people and creates opportunities isn't just possible – it's our responsibility.

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