4171_Meeting God in the Youth - VIDES Japan

October 20, 2016

By Sr. Inagawa, FMA

Tokyo, Japan, 20 October 2016 -- The FMA Sisters VIDES is among the most dynamic outreaching groups within the Salesian Family of Japan. About 170 senior VIDES members, dozens of observers (university students or young adults 25-30 years since 2014) and 40+ junior members around the 14 FMA settings in Japan are service and witness to many in Japan and abroad.

One of the Shizuoka Salesio High School teachers shares his faith journey: ' I came to this school 9 years ago and for past 8 years i'm going every summer to accompany our volunteer students to the Philippines. Poor children in the Philippines told me who is 'God'!

In the same way our students learn in the Philippines that love is sharing, their life is being transformed and they continue to grow. In this way our youth know what makes them truly happy!

Eight years ago we launched 'Vides Shizuoka Jr' with the help of FMA Sisters. From the six founding members there are now 43 student who are helping Filipino children through many cultural and bazaar activities. So i'm so happy to be a joyful Salesian like Don Bosco and his FMA Sisters. Maybe our students, too!'

22 years ago at the beginning of the VIDES Japan was the zeal of few FMA sisters who believed in the education and missionary value of service of our children and youth. They started with simple outreaching activities for people in need, raising some funds through simple activities.

At present time the VIDES members are working mainly in Tokyo and Shizuoka. There are 14 kinds of different service and outreaching activities, each has it's VIDES member in charge and it's own program:

1. Oversea Volunteers especially in Asian countries: Cambodia (cultural center, bakery school)
2. School Assistance: education aids for some schools in Cambodia and Philippines
3. Restaurant with Italian pasta and delivery services
4. Frienship: especially on Sunday working for child care services (children 2-5 years old)
5. Mac Love: a presentation of the VIDES work and activities on the internet
6. Flea Market: fundraising activities for people in need in some Asian countries
7. Sending some cloth or useful goods oversea
8. Lunch Shop: cooking and serving meals in order to get funds for oversea work
9. Cultural exchange: through art work, crafts, playing games
10. VIDES Mine: offering an overnight stay and services for those in special needs
11. Academy: through dance, music and arts giving a chance to the youth personal growth
12. Prayer group: praying for the peace in the world or for VIDES work
13. VIDES Salesian camps in Yamanaka near Mt. Fuji (from April to October)
14. Shops: for young people make a place to have some meal and talk.

The 'Observers' group of young adults in Tokyohold a 'Smile Festa' together with another NPO 'Bivio' with a public play of Don Bosco in the streets. The run also a 'Happy House' facility, a space for children in need to talk and get some meal.

On the official website of VIDES JAPAN (http://www.videsjp.org) you can get more informations (in Japanese) about the activites and organization. We wish many more young people can get a personal experience of deep joy in their service with VIDES.

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