WHO WE ARE | HelpOki

Our Story

Mission Statement

HelpOki’s goal is to end poverty here in Okinawa. Bringing people from all over the world together through volunteer work and charitable giving, to ensure every person in Okinawa has enough food (clean water), clothing, shelter, and critical life skills.

Vision

HelpOki seeks to enrich and enhance the lives of individuals through support, community development, and inspired philanthropy. The specific purpose of HelpOki is to relieve the poor, the distressed, and the underprivileged as well as combat community deterioration by supporting individuals in need and building a bridge between the International and Japanese communities here in Okinawa. This includes, but is not limited to 1.) providing resources and volunteer services to homeless shelters, food banks, and foster homes; 2.) supporting the construction, expansion, and preservation of homeless shelters, foster homes, and orphanages; and 3.) supporting and providing resources to women's domestic violence shelters and drug rehabilitation centers; 4.) providing resources and support to low income individuals and families across Okinawa.

Meet The Team

Founder & President

Chris Nesbitt

Chris is the Founder and President of HelpOki. He has dedicated his life to making a difference for those less fortunate. He believes that together we can end poverty here in Okinawa.

Vice President

Yuko Nesbitt

Yuko is the Vice-President for HelpOki and works tirelessly to ensure everything runs smoothly each and everyday for the team. Yuko is from Okinawa, Miyako Island, and has committed her life to change lives for the better.

HelpOki Manager & Secretary

Daphne Mahusay

Daphne is HelpOki's Manager and English Appetite Teacher. Daphne comes from the city of Manila in the Philippine's. Daphne enjoys watching movies, and traveling in her spare time. Daphne oversees the day to day operations for HelpOki and also handles all of our messages that we receive.

Community Center Manager

Risa Tamashiro

Risa comes from Okinawa, Japan.

Community Relations Director

Asuka Shimabukuro

Asuka calls Okinawa home for her husband and two children. She loves volunteering in the local community helping people in need. Asuka has been a foster parent for numerous Okinawan children for many years. She is most passionate about bringing the community together, and caring for children that in need of love and care.

Food Bank Director

Ivory Molina

Ivory from the Philippines and two wonderful children. She loves spending time with her family when not volunteering. Ivory is Help Feed Oki Food Bank Director. She oversees all the food that come in and out for those less fortunate here in Okinawa. Ivory works tirelessly to help us end food poverty here in Okinawa.

Webmaster & Digital Marketing Director

Quinton Sanicola

Hating school while loving to learn Quinton Sanicola decided the best education was to experience and travel the world and take his experience of digital marketing with him. With almost 10 years of digital marketing experience and serving in 10 countries, Quinton believes the greatest of missions and businesses can be served through inspiration-based marketing.

Community Center Assistant Manager

Akane

Akane is from Okinawa and has been living here her entire life. She loves this Okinawa and is proud to be from here. She has a senior-aged dog and they always go to the beach in the summer time. Akane also has a passion for nail care. She hopes to make her nail salon a place where people can get good energy from HelpOki.

Yonabaru Store Assistant

Karen

Karen is from Sashiki, Nanjo City. She has studied abroad in the Philippines and Australia. Karen is full of vitality and loves to try new things. Her dream is to become Shohei Ohtani's interpreter. She wants to go to the United States, the land of my dreams, to watch the game of the Angels, which Ohtani belongs to.

Hearts for Okinawa Director

Shannon Shaffer

Shannon has been living in Okinawa since 2019. Although Shannon and her husband have lived in many places, this is her first time living outside of the United States. She absolutely loves it here! Volunteering and serving others makes her heart happy! Shannon loves working with the military through the Red Cross and also working with the local Okinawan community!