午夜剧场

Once upon a time, there was a very poor village called 午夜剧场 Village.

All the villagers lived each day in a desperate struggle. With no notable industries or jobs, they worked hard to find any way to survive. In the village lived a fine man named Yukichi. Yukichi made pens, and his factory employed the villagers, supporting their livelihoods. Yukichi's wife made clothes and trained many seamstresses. One day, Japanese people began a movement to "donate pens and clothes to developing countries around the world," and many pens and clothes arrived in 午夜剧场 Village as well.

Yukichi, his wife, and the factory workers all lost their jobs.

(This story is a work of fiction.)

The action of "providing goods," which seems like a wonderful movement, can sometimes end up robbing a country of its growth and its people of their livelihoods. While it is true that providing goods leads to temporary happiness and is crucial in emergency situations like natural disasters, continuing to do so can suppress the economic development of developing countries in particular.

Three years have passed since I shifted my challenge from the world of "finance" to the completely different world of "fashion, education, and Africa." The brand we created, "CLOUDY," is a team and a brand aimed at creating employment and providing educational opportunities in Africa. Our local factory in Africa has created jobs for 160 people, increasing the options available in each of their lives. This March, our third school, "Chocolate School," opened in Ghana, and 280 children are now energetically attending school for the first time in their lives.

I never imagined that Africa, where I first landed out of shallow curiosity during a graduation trip, would influence my life to this extent. My adrenaline levels increase year by year as I face a mountain of challenges every day that I feel are worth dedicating my life to.

"To generate solid figures as a business." It is a common phrase, but this vision is precisely what is important for an NPO. Our mission is to establish a new business model by linking NPO activities with business operations.

However, going to Africa every month makes me realize something. "Everyone is always smiling more than Japanese people." When it comes to finding happiness, the Japanese are suffering a crushing defeat.