We Brought the MY FOOTBALL KIT Experience to the Children at Hikari no Sono Setsuri no Ie
As part of the JFA × Molten crowdfunding project conducted in 2025, we delivered a MY FOOTBALL KIT experience event to 29 children at Hikari no Sono Setsuri no Ie, a children's residential care home operated by the Misono Children's Welfare Association in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, on March 30, 2026.
Through this event, we had the opportunity to share the joy of assembling and playing with a football while creating a memorable experience for the children. The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of everyone who contributed to the JFA crowdfunding campaign.
As we arrived, several children who were playing with balls in the courtyard called out to us, saying, “Hello! Are you the people who make the footballs?” Hearing their excitement made us happy and reminded us how much they had been looking forward to the event.
The event was held in the facility's multipurpose hall. Before we could begin, the children quickly worked together to move the tables and chairs, showing great teamwork and enthusiasm. It was clear that they were eager to start assembling their MY FOOTBALL KIT.
After introducing ourselves, we explained a few important points before the assembly began:
- Assemble the ball yourself – it's okay to make mistakes; what matters is taking on the challenge.
- Follow the assembly booklet as you work through the process.
- Ask for help when needed by raising your hand or speaking to a staff member.
With those guidelines in mind, it was finally time to begin assembling the MY FOOTBALL KIT.
As the assembly began, the children reacted in different ways.
Some exclaimed,
“There are so many parts! This is impossible!”
and
“Hey, does this look right?”
Others quietly focused on the assembly booklet, carefully working through each step on their own. Regardless of their approach, every child engaged with the challenge in their own way, thinking, learning, and enjoying the process of creating their MY FOOTBALL KIT.
It was also heartwarming to see children helping one another along the way. Whenever someone appeared to be struggling or unsure about the next step, another child would often step in to offer support and encouragement. These moments of kindness and teamwork emerged naturally throughout the activity, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere for everyone involved.
After everyone had successfully completed their MY FOOTBALL KIT, the children split into two teams and took part in a series of ball games.
Using the footballs they had assembled themselves, the children enjoyed an exciting and energetic session filled with teamwork, laughter, and friendly competition. It was wonderful to see how proud they were to play with the balls they had created with their own hands.
Comment from Mr. Mukai, Director of Hikari no Sono Setsuri no Ie, Misono Children's Welfare Association
“First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the generosity and support shown by everyone involved in this project. I was also deeply impressed by Mr. Uchida’s character and his unwavering passion in leading the event on his own.
Watching each child assemble Molten’s wonderful MY FOOTBALL KIT with their own hands, I felt that it brought out the potential and capabilities that already exist within them. The children's eyes sparkled as beautifully as cherry blossoms, and every participant successfully completed their football.
The children also thoroughly enjoyed the ball games that followed. In fact, one child even took the football apart and reassembled it again that evening. Perhaps they had discovered the joy of creating something for themselves.
We would be delighted to continue building a connection with you in the future. Thank you sincerely for giving us this wonderful opportunity and for the relationship that has begun through it.
In closing, I wish all of you continued success, good health, and prosperity in the years ahead.”
Once again, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the JFA × Molten 2025 Crowdfunding Project. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to deliver a truly meaningful and memorable experience to the children.
We remain committed to bringing education and sport to children who need opportunities for new experiences.
The impact of your support does not end here—this journey is still continuing, and together we will keep creating opportunities for children to learn, grow, and thrive through sport. Thank you for being part of it.