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SANYUKAI
The San’ya district (the name was removed from most maps about 40 years ago)
is often called a town of day laborers. Most
residents have worked manual labor and the town
has largely been composed strictly of men.
Given the harsh environment, many
men living in Sanya drink daily and do not have
the opportunity to develop relationships with women.
This environment shapes the rules that guide
residents’ lives and there are many people whose
lifestyles result in physical damage. For
example, cirrhosis of the liver, hypertension, burns,
and injuries are common and there are many people
who do not seek treatment.
As a response to these social problems,
Sanyukai was opened in 1984, primarily providing
a medical clinic. A two floor wooden building
near Tamahime Park was rented and with the clinic
operating on the second floor, meals were provided
to over 100 persons on the first floor. At
that time in the building there was only a small
heater, wind would blow into the room, and mice
would run about. Also, during the winter,
we borrowed an old kindergarten building in Asakusa
to provide a place to sleep for about 40 people
who would otherwise be without housing.
In 1985, we rented a different building
near Minowa Station as a place for seniors to drop
in and gather. Gradually, the number of patients
seeking treatment at the Sanyu Clinic increased,
as did the number of volunteer doctors and nurses.
As a result of an increase in number of people
coming for free meals, local residents began to
complain, and Sanyukai needed to secure an appropriate
location to provide services.
In 1989, Sanyukai purchased a lot
and built a three story ferroconcrete building.
Inside, we built a consultation room, a clinic,
and a place in which seniors could gather and then
moved from our previous location.
After that, as Japan’s economy
underwent changes, the amount of work that day laborers
can participate in declined, and unemployed persons
in their 50s and 60s began flowing to the area around
San’ya. Also, people living in tents along
the Sumida River and those living on the streets
in harsh conditions increased and the decline in
their physical condition stood out. As a result,
the number of people coming to the clinic has been
increasing yearly.
With the number of people needing
assistance increasing, Sanyukai could not provide
an adequate response on its own. Therefore,
in order to collaborate more with other groups such
as private support groups, local ward offices, hospitals,
and welfare facilities, in April of 2002, Sanyukai
incorporated as a private nonprofit organization.
Sanyukai currently has 10 staff
members and is engaging in its activities with the
help of approximately 175 volunteers. Among
these volunteers, there are 11 doctors, and approximately
10 nurses. In order for people who have to
live on the streets to maintain a humane existence,
we hope to continue providing support with the assistance
of our volunteers regardless of religion or nationality.
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