We delivered a MY FOOTBALL KIT experience event to the children of Kodomo no Ie Sanbien, a children's residential care home operated by the Hiroshima Prefectural Dōhō Engo Foundation.
As part of the JFA × Molten crowdfunding project conducted in 2025, we delivered a MY FOOTBALL KIT experience event to 20 children at Kodomo no Ie Sanbien, a children's residential care home operated by the Hiroshima Prefectural Dōhō Engo Foundation in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, on March 30, 2026.
Through this event, the children had the opportunity to experience the joy of assembling their own football and playing with it afterward. The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of everyone who contributed to the JFA crowdfunding campaign, allowing us to create another memorable and meaningful experience through sport.
Since the children were on their spring break from school, they welcomed us with plenty of energy and cheerful voices from the moment we arrived.
The facility has a spacious playground equipped with football goals and basketball hoops, providing an environment where children can easily enjoy sports and physical activity whenever they like.
The assembly session was held in the facility's multipurpose hall. Children ranging from preschool age to junior high school students participated, and each one took on the challenge of assembling their MY FOOTBALL KIT using their own abilities and determination.
At first, many of the children made mistakes and found some parts challenging. However, they remembered the promise we had made at the beginning of the event:
“It's okay to make mistakes. Keep trying as many times as you need.”
The children embraced this mindset and continued to challenge themselves without giving up. One by one, they began to understand the process, gain confidence, and discover the techniques needed to successfully assemble their MY FOOTBALL KIT.
As their MY FOOTBALL KIT gradually began to take the shape of a football, the children's curiosity and excitement grew.
Some asked,
“Can you really kick this ball?”
and
“Won't it fall apart?”
By that point, it seemed they were no longer worried about whether they could complete the assembly. Instead, their attention had shifted to imagining how the finished football would perform. It was clear that they had gained confidence and were already picturing themselves playing with the ball they had built with their own hands.
Once they had completed their MY FOOTBALL KIT, the children each enjoyed the experience in their own way.
Some stayed behind to help friends who were still working on their footballs, while others could not wait to start playing right away. Whether they were lending a hand or eagerly testing out their newly assembled football, it was wonderful to see each child enjoying the moment in their own unique way.
One of the most memorable aspects of the event was the way the children looked out for one another, especially the youngest participant.
Several of the older children regularly checked in and offered encouragement, saying things like:
“Do you think you can do it?”
“Wow, that's amazing! You've made it this far!”
“Just a little more—keep going!”
It was heartwarming to see so many children paying attention not only to their own progress but also to the efforts of those around them. Their kindness, encouragement, and willingness to support one another created a positive atmosphere throughout the event and demonstrated a remarkable sense of empathy and teamwork.
Comment from Mr. Omoto, Senior Staff Member, Kodomo no Ie Sanbien
“Thank you very much for organizing today's football assembly event.
The children were absolutely delighted. Some have chosen to display their footballs as keepsakes, while many others have already started using them to play football.
Opportunities for children to create something with their own hands and then use it as part of their play are quite rare, so this was an especially valuable experience for them.
We heard many positive comments from the children, such as:
‘It was so much fun.’
‘I was really happy to make my own football.’
‘I had a great time.’
It was truly a memorable experience for them, and we are very grateful.
We hope to have the opportunity to work with you again in the future. Thank you very much.”
Once again, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported the JFA × Molten 2025 Crowdfunding Project. Thanks to your generous support, we were able to deliver a meaningful and memorable experience to the children.
Our mission is to bring education and sport to children who need opportunities for new experiences.
The impact of your support does not end with this event. Together, we will continue creating opportunities for children to learn, grow, and discover their potential through sport and hands-on experiences.
Thank you for being part of this journey. The support we received is still making a difference—and this story is far from over.