We delivered MY FOOTBALL KIT to the children at a residential care home in Chiba City. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!
As part of the JFA × Molten crowdfunding project, “Delivering Assemble-Your-Own Footballs to 1,000 Children,” we delivered MY FOOTBALL KIT to children living in residential care homes in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, on March 30 and 31, 2026.
Chiba City is home to the Takamado Memorial JFA YUME Field, the training base for Japan’s national football teams operated by the Japan Football Association (JFA), making it a place with strong ties to the organization. Over the course of two days, we visited and delivered MY FOOTBALL KIT to children at three residential care homes across the city.
March 30 – Boso Futaba Gakuen
March 30 – Boso Futaba Gakuen
On the morning of March 30, we visited Boso Futaba Gakuen, a children's residential care home in Chiba City. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the staff members who would be supporting the event throughout the day.
In addition to the Molten team, Mr. Takakuwa from the Japan Football Association (JFA) joined us for the event. A total of 23 children participated.
Before assembling their MY FOOTBALL KIT, we explained three important rules to the children:
- Assemble the ball by yourself.
- Follow the instructions in the assembly booklet.
- If you need help, do not hesitate to ask the staff.
The goal of the event was not to see who could finish first. Instead, we wanted each child to challenge themselves and enjoy the experience at their own pace. It was truly inspiring to watch all 23 children stay engaged and successfully complete the assembly on their own.
Afterward, we moved to a nearby park next to the hall and introduced the children to Walking Football using their newly assembled MY FOOTBALL KIT balls. Although it was a first-time experience for many of them, they embraced the activity enthusiastically and enjoyed playing right up until the end of the session.
Comment from Mr. Takakuwa, Partner Business Department, Japan Football Association (JFA)
“MY FOOTBALL KIT is something that children can enjoy assembling regardless of whether they have previous football experience. After building it, they can immediately enjoy playing with the ball. Seeing children naturally come together, have fun, and connect through football with the ball at the center of that experience was truly wonderful. I hope the children will cherish the balls they received today.”
Comment from Mr. Shibata, Director of Boso Futaba Gakuen
“The children worked very hard to assemble their footballs, and it was wonderful to see them enjoying football afterward. We are very grateful for the opportunity to provide such a meaningful experience for our children. Thank you very much.”
March 31 (Morning Session) – Houyu Kids Home
March 31 (Morning Session) – Hoyu Kids Home
On the morning of March 31, we visited Hoyu Kids Home, a children's residential care home in Chiba City.
As with the previous day, we personally handed a MY FOOTBALL KIT to each child, sharing not only the kits themselves but also the support and encouragement of everyone who contributed to the JFA crowdfunding campaign.
Before the assembly began, we reminded the children of an important message:
“This is not a competition. It's okay to make mistakes. What matters most is that you challenge yourself and do your best.”
With that in mind, the children eagerly took on the challenge of assembling their own footballs. Each child worked at their own pace, learning through trial and error and enjoying the process of creating something with their own hands.
After completing the assembly, the children took part in a Walking Football session using their newly assembled MY FOOTBALL KIT balls. Their expressions quickly turned serious as they focused on the game, and it was wonderful to see how enthusiastically they embraced the experience and enjoyed playing together.
Comment from Mr. Baba, Director of Hoyu Kids Home
“I believe this was a wonderful gift for our children. Thank you very much. Some of the children were initially hesitant about participating in the event, but once it started, everyone seemed to be having a great time.”
March 31 (Afternoon Session): Visit to Chiba Mirai Hibiki no Mori Gakuen
March 31 (Afternoon Session) – Chiba Mirai Hibiki no Mori Gakuen
In the afternoon, we visited Chiba Mirai Hibiki no Mori Gakuen for the final event of our two-day visit to Chiba City.
As soon as we arrived, the children came out to greet us. It was clear that they had been looking forward to the event, and their excitement immediately lifted the spirits of our team. Wanting to make this a memorable experience for every child, we approached the session with the same enthusiasm and commitment as always.
Many of the children at this facility had previous experience playing sports such as basketball and football. Once the assembly session began, they focused intently on the task. Not a single child gave up along the way, and everyone successfully completed their MY FOOTBALL KIT within 30 minutes.
Unfortunately, it rained that day, so instead of heading outdoors, we enjoyed ball games indoors after the assembly session. Seeing the children laughing, playing, and fully enjoying themselves made the experience especially rewarding for all of us.
Comment from Ms. Nishi, Vice Director of Chiba Mirai Hibiki no Mori Gakuen
“Many of our children love sports and had been looking forward to this event. I believe it provided them with a truly valuable experience. Thank you very much for making this possible.”
Looking Back
Thanks to the support of so many people, we were able to deliver meaningful experiences through MY FOOTBALL KIT at three children's residential care homes across Chiba City.
While our team always approaches each event with a sense of responsibility, we also genuinely enjoy taking part. Every visit reminds us of something important: children have an incredible ability to enjoy new challenges with curiosity and enthusiasm. Watching them learn, create, and play reinforces the importance of enjoyment as the foundation of both sport and learning.
Once again, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported this project. Your generosity helped us deliver a memorable and meaningful experience to these children.
Our mission to bring education and sport to children who need opportunities for new experiences continues—and the impact of your support will continue as well. Thank you for being part of this journey.