A plug here for a great non-profit organisation I just discovered thanks to Twitter: Smile Kids Japan.

It’s a volunteer-led organisation that encourages people in Japan to visit their local orphanage armed with games and good times: what a great idea!

Smile Kids Japan has been set up by members of the Japan Exchange and Teaching program, which is the program I was part of for my first trip to Japan.

It can be isolating to be a foreigner alone in a new place, so organisations like Smile Kids Japan provide terrific win-win situations for volunteers and kids alike.

You can check out their website for info on how to get started volunteering or follow them on Twitter.