A group of volunteers in Japan that repairs toys and then redistributes them, mainly in Mie Prefecture, established the Mie Toy Hospital Network in April 2008. The group aims to coordinate activities between toy "hospitals" by supporting public relations activities through their websites, exchanging skills and information among toy "doctors," and helping to organize new toy hospitals.

Six groups already running toy hospitals had joined the network as of this fall, with each having been operating for several to ten years. From among the roughly 60 toy doctors participating, many began helping after their retirement and they find inspiration in their lives through these efforts.

One of the doctors, hoping to communicate with children through volunteer activities, said, "Children's smiles and a word of thanks bring me great joy. I hope that my repairing broken toys encourages them to develop the habit of taking good care of their possessions." The group hopes that the network will continue to expand.



Posted: 2008/10/30 06:11:36 PM

TAG Material reduction , NGO/Citizen