From "Continuous Donor" to "Citizen Journalist": Why a Woman in Her 40s, Formerly a Housewife, Aims for This

"I quit being a full-time housewife." "What? What are you going to do?" "I'm going to become a citizen journalist specializing in Senegal!"

These are the words of Rui Wakita, a woman in her 40s living in Hamamatsu.

Wakita's past was harrowing. She developed a mental illness in her teens and dropped out of high school. In her 20s, she wore herself out mentally and physically juggling studies and work, her weight plummeting to 35 kilograms.

Despite this, with her inherent determination and customer service skills, she rose to become a chapel manager at a wedding venue boasting the highest number of ceremonies in Japan. However, after a divorce due to domestic violence, and in her second marriage, she was told, "You can't work or go out for long periods," leading to a life where she suppressed her desires.

During this time, what Wakita continued quietly for 23 years was donating. Her beneficiaries included Plan International Japan, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), WWF Japan, and the Wild Bird Society of Japan. Due to financial issues, she couldn't sustain all of them, but she still continues her donations to Plan International Japan.

Nowadays, being a full-time housewife might seem privileged from the outside. "But when I think about it, it was a life of giving up many things. Blaming others," says Wakita.

Learning Wolof and the Quran

Wakita's transformation began just a year ago, with a chance encounter with Senegal.

Since then, Wakita has become deeply engrossed in Senegal. She secretly started working, something that was "forbidden," and began saving money for a trip to Senegal. With these funds, she participated in Ganas's program, "Global Media Camp in Senegal." She became a citizen journalist, conducted interviews, wrote four articles, and published them.

- Senegalese Dancer with a "Lion's Soul": "I want to win the exhibition battle at Ryogoku Kokugikan" *First article she ever wrote*

- 17-year-old Senegalese who started Judo on the street aims for a gold medal at the Dakar Youth Olympics in October

- 23-year-old "Senegalese Sumo" wrestler carrying his family aims for the top with a two-pronged approach

- Senegalese man, 24, who survived two suicide attempts and was stabbed by his family: "I can't live unless I leave this country"

Around the same time, she began studying Wolof, spoken by over 90% of Senegalese people, four times a month online. Starting this April, she also began attending an online class every morning for 30 minutes to interpret the Quran.

That's not all. While listening to popular Senegalese singers like Daara J Family and Youssou N'Dour, she also enjoys making Senegalese dishes at home, such as Mafé (a classic Senegalese stew with peanuts and tomatoes), Thieboudienne (tuna paste sandwiched in bread), and Beignets (fried donuts).

Her room is also filled with items like the Senegalese flag, a bag with a drawing of the Senegalese National Assembly, art by Senegalese artists, and accessories worn by Senegalese women. Her bookshelf has grown with books on Senegal and Islam.

During this year's Soccer World Cup, she naturally subscribed to DAZN to passionately cheer for the Senegalese national team (the match against Belgium was a close one!).

Language, Islam, music, cuisine, merchandise, soccer— "If I want to deepen my understanding of Senegal even a little, I want to do everything related to Senegal. Learning the Quran is a natural progression," says Wakita.

Are Muslims scary?

Wakita, with a wry smile, admits that Senegal is by far the most passionate thing in her life in her 40s. As she delved deeper into Senegal, she began to feel a sense of dissonance with the prejudices in Japan towards Islam and Muslims.

Over 90% of Senegal's population is Muslim. The Muslims Wakita met in Senegal were not at all radical. "On the contrary, they were quiet, reserved, and warm people. In Senegal, I felt my past wounds healing. I question whether it's right to label the unknown as dangerous."

As a citizen journalist, Wakita wants to convey the lives, thoughts, and ways of living of various Senegalese people. They are "human beings" before being Muslims. She wants to cover Senegal from multiple perspectives, including its positive and negative aspects, rather than relying on stereotypical information.

Below is a message from Wakita.

"I believe there are things that only citizen journalists can do. The world we live in is not just made up of a few famous people featured in major media, but of many 'ordinary people.' It is the role of citizen journalists to pick up and deliver these voices. I believe their voices can surely offer great hints to Japanese people who feel life is difficult, based on my own experience. Also, people can change no matter their age. I realized this at 40."

At an event to be held on July 19 (Sun) at 3:15 PM at JICA Global Plaza in Ichigaya, Tokyo, Daisuke Nagamitsu, editor-in-chief of Ganas, will conduct a public interview with Wakita about her journey from housewife to citizen journalist (an ongoing process) and what she wants to convey as a citizen journalist. It is free to attend, so please feel free to drop by.

*Wakita is currently running a crowdfunding campaign. This event is part of that initiative, but it does not involve any obligation to donate. Please rest assured.

Speaker

Rui Wakita Fascinated by Senegal after an encounter at the Senegal Pavilion of the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, she became engrossed in the country. Captivated by Téranga (the spirit of hospitality), she aims to become a bridge connecting Senegal and Japan and, as a citizen journalist, made her first overseas trip to Senegal. She began activities to convey local voices and ways of life. Her dream is to relocate to Dakar.

Interviewer

Daisuke Nagamitsu Editor-in-Chief of "Ganas," an NPO media specializing in developing countries and international cooperation / Representative Director of Development Media, NPO. After graduating from Sophia University's Faculty of Law, he established the Thailand and Philippines bureaus of NNA (now part of the Kyodo News Group), Asia's largest Japanese-language media outlet. He has held positions as an Electric Power News reporter, freelance writer, and head of the media division at Devex Japan before assuming his current role. He has over 10 years of experience living abroad (USA, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Venezuela) and has traveled to over 50 countries. He is also an alumnus of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (now JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers). He is a hammock collector.

Date and Time

July 19 (Sun) 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM

<Timeline (tentative)> 3:00 PM Doors Open 3:15 PM Start 4:15 PM Q&A Session 4:35 PM Information about Global Media Camp (Citizen Journalist Program) 4:45 PM End

*For those who have time, let's go for a second round at a nearby restaurant after the event (please cover your own expenses)!

Venue

JICA Global Plaza Seminar Room 202B (10-5 Ichigaya-Honmura-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; nearest station: Ichigaya) http://www.jica.go.jp/hiroba/about/map/index.html

Participation Fee

Free

Capacity

24 people

*First-come, first-served basis

Deadline

July 18 (Sat)

*Registration will close once capacity is reached

How to Register

Please register from the site below, linked from Peatix https://20260706ganas.peatix.com/view

Recommended for:

- Those who want to know the story of a woman in her 40s transitioning from housewife to citizen journalist - Those interested in Senegal or other African countries - Those who want to cover stories in Africa someday - Those interested in information dissemination and citizen journalism - Those tired of simple backpacker trips - Those who want to know how to change, even after 40

Organizer

Development Media, NPO (the operating organization of Ganas)

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