Service project for homeless receives human rights award

Sanyukai representative Deacon Jean LeBeau of the Quebec Foreign Mission Society said that places where the homeless can go are decreasing because of park improvements by the government. "The outlook for tomorrow is bleak," he said.

Sanyukai, marking 25 years of offering special support services to the homeless of the Sanya district in Tokyo, was awarded the 24th Tokyo Lawyers' Association Human Rights Award on Jan. 8. The award has been presented every year since 1986 to individuals and organizations who have made great strides in the protection of human rights.

The other two recipients of this year's award were Japan Lifeline League, and Junji Nishi, head of the Tokyo Air Pollution Plaintiff's Group.

In his acceptance speech Sanyukai president Tokio Ishizuka of Tokyo's Tama Church said, "This award is not quite the Nobel prize, but for those of us concerned with social welfare, it is a prize that carries a lot of influence. We are merely distributing our supporters' money. The merit of the prize belongs to them."

Since opening in 1984, Sanyukai's activities have included a free clinic, free food distribution twice a week and clothing three times a week, emergency housing and lifestyle consultations, and other services for the needy. The activities are funded entirely by donations, with just over 20 staff members and doctors and nurses among their volunteers. Many of the volunteers are nuns or lay Christians.

Ishizuka suggested that the lines of those looking for food are much longer now due to the recession. He requested more "alpha rice" assistance, as a way to make good use of food products approaching their expiration date. Alpha rice, held in storage by businesses and local governments in case of emergencies, is dry rice designed to be eaten with hot water. He also asked for more donations of laundry detergent.

New patients are turning up in greater numbers at the clinic as well. Among the homeless, there are many with mental problems as well as physical ailments. There are cases in which doctors are able to diagnose patients' handicaps, make official  records, and connect patients with welfare benefits. The four staff lifestyle consultants who deal with patients individually are snowed under, Ishizuka said.

In April of last year, the organization opened Sanyuso shelter for homeless people with special needs. While donations have increased slightly, the increase is not as great as the increase in demand for shelter.

Source: http://www.cbcj.catholic.jp/eng/jcn/feb2010.htm#4 (English)