August 29, at 14:00～16:00 and Saturday, September 5, at 14:00～17:00
[Spots] 11th and 12th Teaching Room, Japanese-style Room, and Gymnastic Hall in Koyo Square Center
[Participants] Approximately 115 Participants on August 29 and 100 on September 5
[Attendants] 14 KSGG members and 5 friends of KSGG members on August 29 and 23 KSGG members, 2 observers, and 2 friends of KSGG members on September 5
On both August 29 and September 5, we held events introducing Japanese culture to 215 HIＤA・EPA candidates being care workers who had come from the Philippines this June. As this event was the first effort we produced, we felt worried at first. However, it was easier to do something than worry about it. We could make it on the very day a great spirit of volunteerism, enthusiasm, and ability which all of the attendants brought out with assistance from the staff members.
The main program of this event was helping the participants to get dressed in yukata (cotton kimono). We had other programs including tea ceremony, Japanese flower arrangement, the art of paper folding, calligraphy, singing Japanese song, haiku (Japanese seven-syllable poem), and playing beanbags, cup and ball, and spinning top.
More than 100 trainees participated on each day. They took pictures of each other in yukata, full of smiles with delight. They participated in every program actively and enjoyed experiencing Japanese culture in a serious manner, following guidance by us volunteers.
I believe this experience will
