In today's life, according to Patricio Alwyn - former president of Chile and student of the social problems of Latin America - a materialistic and economic culture prevails in which “having is worth more than being” and people become slaves to things. and, consequently, consumerism and competitiveness within society. Concern for one's own life alone, the acquisition of goods and the privilege of power seem to be the purpose of human existence. This problem affects the majority of the planet's population and especially in Latin America, where we live, where social inequality is growing abysmally.
In this regard, Michel Camdessus expresses the need to introduce the values of justice and solidarity in the functioning of economic life, especially solidarity as a moral and social attitude of acceptance and interdependence between men and between nations in the search for good. common.
In relation to the previous lines, it is appropriate to present a case in the Republic of Paraguay. Since 1996, the Japanese Charity Social Center in Paraguay has been operating in the city of Fernando de la Mora, near the Paraguayan capital, which was built at the initiative of the Japanese philanthropist Hisakazu Kasamatsu, and financed by the Ryoichi Jinnai Foundation of the Japan and the main entities of the country, to offer, above all, the Japanese and Nikkei a place of refuge. Likewise, to promote a supportive attitude, doing charitable works and responding to universal problems in the search for the common good among the Japanese and Nikkei of Paraguay, especially for the elderly.
Since 2006 I took charge of the presidency of the Center or Fukushi Center , where through the executive and administrative management various recreational activities and talks are offered led by volunteers from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and ladies. of our environment, in addition to other services such as sports, rehabilitation and exercises to make old age more bearable and, at the same time, the general idea of a happy and healthy old age is promoted.
The Fukushi Center also offers pension, health care and medical care with the most renowned Nikkei doctors in the country and with the most modern equipment for patient care, with a very affordable price for Nikkei and also for Paraguayans. of limited resources who live around the center. The center also has multipurpose rooms for various social and festive events in the community, including funerals. Among his charitable works, he has sheltered several homeless Japanese, a total of 10 people. The Fukushi Center has a property of 6,175 m 2 with a three-story construction of 1,650 m 2 .
In 2001, the United Nations established such a moment as the “International Year of Volunteering.” In this regard, there were demonstrations all over the world and in Paraguay the National Volunteer Council was created, which I had the honor of presiding over with the support of Paraguayans; but, unfortunately, there was very little interest among the Nikkei and Japanese of Paraguay in volunteer work.
Only in 2007, at the initiative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the two largest Japanese entities in Paraguay, which are: the Japanese Social Charity Center in Paraguay “ Fukushi Center ” and the Federation of Japanese Associations in Paraguay or “ Rengooka i” have agreed to found a new entity with the support of JICA, under the name of “Commission to Support the Elderly of the Japanese of Paraguay” in the month of December of that year. It is aimed at supporting the elderly who live in the capital and in the Japanese colonies, and who number a total of 952 people, that is, 13% of the total Nikkei population.
A new awakening arises among the Japanese and Nikkei in terms of solidarity and volunteerism, through training and orientation in all the colonies and towards the conduct of a fundamental ideal of selfless service for all those who arrive and who will arrive at some point. from life to old age and this must be happy and healthy.
Reference:
Bernardo Kliksberg. Ethics and Development, the marginalized relationship. Editorial El Ateneo, 2002
© 2010 Emi Kasamatsu
