Joint representatives Yoko Uema and Makoto Motomura: ‘Shelter for young single mothers opens in Okinawa’
Oniwa, a shelter for young pregnant individuals, opens in the central part of Okinawa Island (September 29)
September 30, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo
On October 1, a shelter for protecting young single mothers will open in the central part of Okinawa Island. The shelter, called Oniwa, is represented jointly by Professors Yoko Uema and Makoto Motomura of the University of the Ryukyus. The two held a press conference at the university on September 29. With the cooperation of the perinatal and maternal care center at the University of the Ryukyus Hospital, the center will offer medical support from pregnancy through delivery. Midwives will be on staff at the shelter. Uema says, “We want these young women to be able to become mothers in a comforting environment that makes them feel like they’ve come home. We want to improve their lives and protect them.”
The shelter will be operated as a single mother support organization of the Orion Scholarship Foundation. Associa, an organization that supports job-seeking activities of people with acute social withdrawal or disabilities, will serve as the business operator for the shelter. Motomura will be in charge of intake and managing the shelter environment. Uema will manage the site. The shelter will accept young pregnant individuals in their teens and twenties who do not receive support from family or society. These individuals may use the shelter starting when they are 8 months pregnant, and until one hundred days after delivery. Oniwa will have two regular staff, and expects to see 5 or 6 people use the shelter annually.
Motomura says, “We want to use the expertise at the university to give back to the region and to Okinawa. Our hope is to make the shelter an example of something that we create together, and to see the results.”
Doctor Keiko Mekaru of the University of the Ryukyus Hospital says “Many young, pregnant individuals experience abuse and domestic violence, and are at risk of premature delivery due to mental strain. We will work with the midwives at the shelter to provide mental health support as well.”
Oniwa is accepting donations to cover operations. Donations can be made to the Mirai Fund Okinawa, Okinawa Bank Torihori Branch, Regular Account 1442256.
A press conference discussing the opening of Oniwa, a shelter for young pregnant individuals, is held by (from the right) Professors Makoto Motomura and Yoko Uema of the University of the Ryukyus, and Doctor Keiko Mekaru of the University of the Ryukyus Hospital (September 29, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara)
(English translation by T&CT and Ellen Huntley)
Previous Article:Tokyo University of Foreign Studies debuts Okinawan Language course this fall
Next Article:Foot traffic in Mihama still light day after emergency declaration lifted, “I look forward to the customers coming back”
[Similar Articles]
- Medical facilities in Okinawa strengthen partnerships to care for surging numbers of pregnant COVID-19 patients
- University of the Ryukyus Hospital marks 10 years of support activities in Laos
- Government panel members received 11 million yen from contractors to build new US base in Henoko
- Hajime Sunagawa awarded Nishi-Nippon International Foundation Asia Contribution Award for cleft palate treatment
- Okinawa branch of the Japan High School Baseball Federation supports Tanzania with baseball gear donation
Webcam(Kokusai Street)
