<JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program Report> JICA short-term Participants enjoy interacting with children in an exchange program!


2024.06.24
World map created by 9 Participants for souvenirs
On June 19, 2024, nine short-term Participants (government officials from developing countries, etc.) from the "Renewable Energy in Grid (Mainly on Photovoltaic) " and 24 children (ages 2-13) from Bright Kids Garden (an English language daycare preschool and elementary afterschool) participated in an exchange program.
The exchange program is an event held at the beginning of the course to promote cultural exchange with local citizen groups, to encourage the Participants to become more pro-Japanese and knowledgeable, and to deepen international understanding among local citizens.
The Participants work for the country's Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, electric power companies, and investment bank, and are involved in the promotion of renewable energy.
This year, Participants from nine countries participated in the event: Angola, Azerbaijan, Botswana, Egypt, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Serbia, and Türkiye.
The children of Bright Kids Garden made placards and welcomed us with open arms.
The Participants also brought a world map showing their home countries with full of encouraging messages, which they had drawn together the day before as a souvenir.
Commemorative photo with children and Participants (JICA staff on OJT at JICA Kyushu also participated)
First, the Participants introduced themselves in Japanese, which they had just learned, and then the children introduced themselves in English. When the Participants pointed out their home countries on the world map placed in the center of floor, the children leaned forward to check it out.
Next, the children asked questions. “What is the famous food in Türkiye?”, “What do you like about Namibia?”. The Participants responded with smiles.
The program included origami, flag coloring, picture-matching puzzle games, and a game of musical chairs, which brought the participants and the children closer and closer.
After about two hours of exchange, the children waved goodbye to the Participants until they could no longer see them.
Even the children got serious about the game of chairs.
Children teaching Egyptian Participant how to fold Ninja Stars (Shuriken)
Participant and children coloring the Angolan flag.
Thanks to the performance of the teachers and children at Bright Kids Garden, all participants of this exchange program felt a warm emotional connection that transcended differences in nationality.
scroll