Happy New Year to everyone!! Thank you so much for the tremendous support for the "LIVES KITCHEN" last year.
We have made good progress in the past 3 months, and I am happy to report on that.
Since we tied up with Showa Gakuen School, we are constantly having flow of interns who have disabilities from the school. Mrs. Hara, who is the point of contact from this school has told us, that the students all want to experience working at the food truck, and there is a waiting list! The students who experience work all return to school with confidence and smile on their faces. The food truck volunteers are open to working with people with different abilities and different characteristics, and welcome them with smile and teach them discipline and skills with care and love.
We are asked by different government offices and educational facilities to participate in their events. It falls on weekends and public holidays, but it is a lot of fun.
In the past 3 months, one boy was hired by PASONA. One boy is working as a trainee at Wendy's First Kitchen with the possibility of employment. One boy is working at a B-Type training facility. It is an exciting time for the LIVES KITCHEN.
And we are definitely changing the lives of the people with disabilities, or rare diseases, or some mental issues.
Please check one video of a recent event, which was created by one of the volunteers that participated.
LIVES KITCHEN at the Community CenterWe now have a great business model for this food truck. Thanks to the support of Dean & Deluca and the Hilton Group, we are able to reach out to many more companies in Tokyo to consider hiring the interns of the food truck.
We are constantly in need to raise funds for the driver who is critical to continue this project.
Our volunteer team are hoping to raise at least $50,000 this year through GlobalGiving, and we truly appreciate your support and spreading the words.
Thank you again, and we look forward to be able to give you further good news at the next report.
2026 is the year of the horse. It is the year of Freedom & Independence. Action, Speed and hard work. It is the year of challenge and change. We wish you a wonderful year for all of you.
Recent photos
Aya Higa and the volunteer team members
