Shibuya*渋谷 Workcamps

From Left: Keiko、Aochan、羽子田 and... Ezo? :)

I don't remember when i finally fell unconcious the night before, but we all wake up in a cool sunny morning. Looking out of the window, some youths walking pass in laughter. Perhaps some other peoples like us? It was beautiful morning, everyone will be in good mood, i guess.

Soon after our breakfast, we start walking to Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Hall*東京都児童会館, where we will have our workcamps. I think the children's hall contribute more than giving a place for children to play, learn and interact with the parents, it's keeps some of the Japan's tradition alive.

That's what i thought when i saw an old man teaching some young kids to play Japanese chess. Play table tennis if you like, or try our skill at the woodshop. Or you can let those kids running in the playground while reading some books from the library. See more photos here and here.


Ezo-san, looking like a pro!

This workcamp is just another weekly routine for my friends here, and today we will introduce Malaysia to the children, mostly under 5. Malaysia, because i am here. Basically Ezo-san will made the annoucement in Japanese and i will do it in English, informing parents in the building about our activity, which will usually starts 15 minutes after the announcement.


Game, AIUEO?

But how to do it? Just think about what you like to do when you are still a kids. You like to play games, like AIUEO (reminds you of anything? :p)


Which one is Malaysia's flag?

Or, draw them some colourful flag, ask them to guess which is Malaysia's flag. We are using the same method on fruits and animals. Say, durian-apple-strawberry or orang utan-zebra-lion?


Rasa Sayang, heyyyy rasa sayang sayang heyy...

Else you can teach them to sing RASA SAYANG. I heard about the rumours that our government plans to make this song one of our national song, which will certainly make our activity more meaningful!

All three sessions were running smooth, thanks to my japanese friend who are really doing a good job, covers some flaws from me:)But i can't say that i don't feel the pressure with parents watching us with a feedback forms in hand, haha! Good news is we get mostly positive feedback from the parents, cheers!


Need helps?

At the end it's really good to work with some NICE friends, and some really cute kids too! They all seems shy at the beginning, but the ais breaks as the activity heating up the room. Some of them even knock at the door while we are having our discussion/evaluation. That how i get this precious shots below!


Cute, cute, cute :)

Finally, we all packed up and get ready for our dinner. Masaki, Ezo, Haneta, Tomomi, Keiko, Aochan, Ino, Kenji, So-san, Fumifumi, Sara-san, Saya-san... (please tell me if i miss anyone, mina!) Thank you for the dinner!

I still feel sorry that i couldn't have a good chat with them. No time, and i can't really speak Japanese that well! But it's really intersting to hear them chat in Japanese, it's something i've never experience before! I can understand say 30% of their convesation, better if they use english or someone translate it for me!


Tomomi-san (left) and Keiko-san, on our way to restaurant.

As chinese says, every meeting has it's ends. I know that soon after we say bye bye, it will be a long long time before we can meet again. I will never forget how they stand there, seeing me move in escalator. Basically i will be able to see them keep waving at me, as long as i am visible, as long as i keep looking back. Felt that!

Not forgetting Ino-san, who guides me all the way to 大泉学園駅. Thank you very much!I can only repay back their kindness when they visits me in Malaysia :)

Mata ne, mina-san!