SHIFT80 Begins Recruiting Participants for Summer 2026 Study Tour with Chiaki Hayakawa, a 38-Year Resident of Kenya
NPO SHIFT80 has opened applications for its Summer 2026 Study Tour in Kenya. Guided by 38-year Kenya resident Chiaki Hayakawa and SHIFT80 representative Miggy Sakata, the tour combines visits to the Kibera slum with safari experiences.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 13:31
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Study Tour Announcement Image.
SHIFT80 began recruiting participants on April 13, 2026, for the "Study Tour Summer 2026" centered around Nairobi, Kenya, in the summer of 2026.
This tour is a program aimed at encounters that transcend the "supporter and supported" dynamic, by directly visiting the sites of schools, orphanages, and entrepreneurship support in the Kibera slum where SHIFT80 has been active. Chiaki Hayakawa, a peace activist who has lived in Kenya for 38 years, and Miggy Sakata, Representative Director of the NPO SHIFT80 (Koto-ku, Tokyo) and Co-CEO of Kotatsu Inc. (Hinode-machi, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo), will accompany the tour. Tour planning and implementation will be handled by Flex International Inc. (Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Registered Travel Agency No. 1306).
Nairobi National Park Safari.
■ Tour Concept — Why Kenya Now?
A Journey of Encounters Beyond "Supporter and Supported".
The sight of children in Kenya, Africa, seen on news and social media. Calls for continuous support such as donations and fundraising. While being moved, many people must have harbored questions like, "Is my support really reaching the local area?" or "What kind of lives do the local people actually lead?"
This tour is a journey to search for answers with your whole body, by seeing with your own eyes, listening to the stories of many people, and feeling the local air, smells, touch, and warmth. By directly visiting the sites where SHIFT80 is active, you will meet people with strength and brightness for whom the word "poor thing" is completely unfitting.
The "reality" of international cooperation and the overwhelming nature of Africa, such as the safari in Nairobi National Park, Diani Beach overlooking the Indian Ocean, and Tsavo National Park. There are not many trips where you can experience both. Since it comes with full attendance by Japanese staff in Kenya, even those who are traveling overseas or visiting Africa for the first time can participate with peace of mind.
Nairobi National Park Safari.
■ Four Features of the Tour
1. Walking the "Frontlines" of SHIFT80
The core of this tour is visiting the places where SHIFT80 and its friends are actually working. We will visit the "Magoso School" (attended by orphans and children from impoverished families) and the "Magoso Community Center" in Kibera, one of Africa's largest slums, and interact with children and youth. In the 8-day and 10-day programs, we will also visit the children's rescue center (shelter) "Jumba La Watoto" in the village of Miritini near Mombasa. Also, you can visit the sites of people who have started businesses through SHIFT80's entrepreneurship support projects in various locations, and see the "aftermath of support" with your own eyes.
2. Accompanied by Chiaki Hayakawa, a Resident of Kenya for 38 Years
Chiaki Hayakawa, who started operating the Magoso School in 1999 and received the Commendation from the Head of the Japanese Diplomatic Mission in Kenya (2013) and the Award for Social Contribution (2021), will accompany as a safari and tour guide. She will also be in charge of lectures on the origins and history of the Kibera slum, leading participants to the world deep inside the slum that can never be seen through a superficial inspection. Even those who are uneasy about English can participate with peace of mind as Ms. Chiaki and Japanese members of SHIFT80 will provide interpretation and support.
3. A Journey to Talk with SHIFT80 Representative Miggy Sakata
Miggy Sakata, representative of SHIFT80 who was selected for Forbes JAPAN's "NEXT 100", will accompany the entire itinerary in Kenya. During transit or meal times, you can talk directly and think together about international cooperation, careers, and what can be done for society. For those who "are interested in international cooperation but don't know where to start," it will be an invaluable time for dialogue.
4. Enjoy Safari, Beaches, and Great Nature
In addition to the Nairobi National Park Safari (common to all programs), Diani Beach facing the Indian Ocean (8-day and 10-day programs), and Sunrise Safari in Tsavo East National Park (10-day program), the tour is packed with the diverse charms of Africa, including visits to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or Giraffe Centre, and the "Siloam Garden," a rehabilitation facility for children with disabilities and their families. We will use 4-star and 3-star class hotels.
■ Participant's Voice
"The experience of listening to the stories of the people living in the Kibera slum left the strongest impression on me. Everyone talks about their hopes for the future without a lie. Seeing that, I wondered if I could talk about my hopes for the future without a doubt right now? I thought I was the one who was pitiable, and I received a great stimulation that I hadn't imagined."
— Mr. Yuichi Aga (Company employee, past participant)
SHIFT80 began recruiting participants on April 13, 2026, for the "Study Tour Summer 2026" centered around Nairobi, Kenya, in the summer of 2026.
This tour is a program aimed at encounters that transcend the "supporter and supported" dynamic, by directly visiting the sites of schools, orphanages, and entrepreneurship support in the Kibera slum where SHIFT80 has been active. Chiaki Hayakawa, a peace activist who has lived in Kenya for 38 years, and Miggy Sakata, Representative Director of the NPO SHIFT80 (Koto-ku, Tokyo) and Co-CEO of Kotatsu Inc. (Hinode-machi, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo), will accompany the tour. Tour planning and implementation will be handled by Flex International Inc. (Japan Tourism Agency Commissioner Registered Travel Agency No. 1306).
Nairobi National Park Safari.
■ Tour Concept — Why Kenya Now?
A Journey of Encounters Beyond "Supporter and Supported".
The sight of children in Kenya, Africa, seen on news and social media. Calls for continuous support such as donations and fundraising. While being moved, many people must have harbored questions like, "Is my support really reaching the local area?" or "What kind of lives do the local people actually lead?"
This tour is a journey to search for answers with your whole body, by seeing with your own eyes, listening to the stories of many people, and feeling the local air, smells, touch, and warmth. By directly visiting the sites where SHIFT80 is active, you will meet people with strength and brightness for whom the word "poor thing" is completely unfitting.
The "reality" of international cooperation and the overwhelming nature of Africa, such as the safari in Nairobi National Park, Diani Beach overlooking the Indian Ocean, and Tsavo National Park. There are not many trips where you can experience both. Since it comes with full attendance by Japanese staff in Kenya, even those who are traveling overseas or visiting Africa for the first time can participate with peace of mind.
Nairobi National Park Safari.
■ Four Features of the Tour
1. Walking the "Frontlines" of SHIFT80
The core of this tour is visiting the places where SHIFT80 and its friends are actually working. We will visit the "Magoso School" (attended by orphans and children from impoverished families) and the "Magoso Community Center" in Kibera, one of Africa's largest slums, and interact with children and youth. In the 8-day and 10-day programs, we will also visit the children's rescue center (shelter) "Jumba La Watoto" in the village of Miritini near Mombasa. Also, you can visit the sites of people who have started businesses through SHIFT80's entrepreneurship support projects in various locations, and see the "aftermath of support" with your own eyes.
2. Accompanied by Chiaki Hayakawa, a Resident of Kenya for 38 Years
Chiaki Hayakawa, who started operating the Magoso School in 1999 and received the Commendation from the Head of the Japanese Diplomatic Mission in Kenya (2013) and the Award for Social Contribution (2021), will accompany as a safari and tour guide. She will also be in charge of lectures on the origins and history of the Kibera slum, leading participants to the world deep inside the slum that can never be seen through a superficial inspection. Even those who are uneasy about English can participate with peace of mind as Ms. Chiaki and Japanese members of SHIFT80 will provide interpretation and support.
3. A Journey to Talk with SHIFT80 Representative Miggy Sakata
Miggy Sakata, representative of SHIFT80 who was selected for Forbes JAPAN's "NEXT 100", will accompany the entire itinerary in Kenya. During transit or meal times, you can talk directly and think together about international cooperation, careers, and what can be done for society. For those who "are interested in international cooperation but don't know where to start," it will be an invaluable time for dialogue.
4. Enjoy Safari, Beaches, and Great Nature
In addition to the Nairobi National Park Safari (common to all programs), Diani Beach facing the Indian Ocean (8-day and 10-day programs), and Sunrise Safari in Tsavo East National Park (10-day program), the tour is packed with the diverse charms of Africa, including visits to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust or Giraffe Centre, and the "Siloam Garden," a rehabilitation facility for children with disabilities and their families. We will use 4-star and 3-star class hotels.
■ Participant's Voice
"The experience of listening to the stories of the people living in the Kibera slum left the strongest impression on me. Everyone talks about their hopes for the future without a lie. Seeing that, I wondered if I could talk about my hopes for the future without a doubt right now? I thought I was the one who was pitiable, and I received a great stimulation that I hadn't imagined."
— Mr. Yuichi Aga (Company employee, past participant)