Building Community Together: Laurus Partners with Mirai no Mori
Community Partnership | 2026
Partnership Overview
Partner: NPO Mirai no Mori
Students: Laurus Community
Theme: Community Engagement, Service Learning & Social Impact
Activities: School Visit, Technovation Girls Project & Imperial Palace Charity Walk
Bringing Learning to Life
The strongest partnerships are built through shared experiences, a shared purpose and a commitment to making a positive difference.
Throughout 2026, Laurus has been proud to partner with NPO Mirai no Mori, an organisation that creates life-changing outdoor programmes for abused, neglected and orphaned children across Japan, helping them grow into confident and independent young adults.
Our partnership began when Executive Director Kozue Oka visited Laurus to introduce students to Mirai no Mori's work and personally thank them for the funds raised through our Summer Matsuri. More than learning about a charity, students gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by children growing up in care and the importance of confidence, resilience and belonging.
"I am truly honoured to be chosen for this meaningful partnership with the Laurus community. Together, let's create a powerful and lasting impact, empowering the youth we serve to pursue and achieve their dreams."
— Kozue Oka, Executive Director, NPO Mirai no Mori
📷 Kozue Oka introducing Mirai no Mori to Laurus students.
The partnership soon extended beyond the classroom.
As part of the Technovation Girls Project, one of our Year 3 students visited the Mirai no Mori office while developing an app designed to make digital giving easier for charities. By working directly with the team, she gained valuable insight into the challenges faced by non-profit organisations and discovered how technology can be used to create meaningful social impact.
📷 A Year 3 student visiting the Mirai no Mori team as part of her Technovation Girls Project.
"I learned that charities can be connected to bank accounts/systems."
— Year 3 student
Later in the year, students, parents and staff came together to participate in the Imperial Palace Charity Walk, raising approximately ¥100,000 to support Mirai no Mori's programmes while strengthening the partnership beyond the school community.
📷 Laurus families taking part in the Mirai no Mori Imperial Palace Charity Walk.
Why It Matters
Partnerships like this help students understand that making a difference begins with understanding the needs of others.
Whether listening to the experiences of charity professionals, applying technology to support a real organisation or joining families to raise funds for an important cause, students experienced how compassion, innovation and collaboration can create lasting social impact.
Looking Ahead
Our partnership with Mirai no Mori is only just beginning. We look forward to creating more opportunities for students, families and staff to support the organisation through community events, fundraising initiatives and meaningful service-learning experiences.
Thank You
Working alongside Kozue Oka and the entire Mirai no Mori team has been both inspiring and rewarding.
Your openness, encouragement and commitment to empowering young people have given our students a deeper understanding of compassion, service and community. Together, we are helping young people recognise that even small actions can make a meaningful difference, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
Next Generation Community Partnerships
Through our Next Generation Community Partnerships, Laurus connects students with leading organisations across science, technology, engineering, business, healthcare, sustainability and the arts.
Together, we create authentic learning experiences that inspire curiosity, broaden horizons and help prepare students to thrive in an ever-changing world.
