The K2 friends were getting ready to go somewhere. I wonder where they’re going?

 

“Ton, Ton, Tomare!!” It was the chant they learned in the first semester from the road safety lesson.  

 

They got on the bus, ready for the journey.

 

 

After the bus ride, they arrived at JICA Okinawa, their destination for today.

 

As soon as they got off the bus, they found a beautiful picture hanging on the wall.

 

“Wow, that’s beautiful!!! Cool!!!”

 

 

They got into two groups. One group studied about clothing from all around the world, while others listened to story tales from various countries.

“The history of clothes that we wear every day, all started from a piece of cloth. Do you know how they used it?”

 

“They hid their faces!”

“They rolled themselves in it!!”

They understood the basic concept.

 

“That’s right. They had to protect themselves from sunlight, sand and storms. They also used it as a simple rug so they could let the babies sleep, and it was also used as a baby holder.”

 

K2 friends looked interested in the idea that they never had in their daily lives.

 

 

There were some more important things they learned today.

“These clothing from around the world are treasures of those countries.” said the teacher.

“We do not laugh at it, or make fun of it. We treat these treasures with respect.” 

It was one of the most basic, but the most significant ideas they learned when interacting with different cultures.

 They folded the clothes neatly when they finished.

 

 

The other group was in their story telling time.

We listened to the story “Grandpa’s Long Beard”, a story from Thailand.

It was a story where the long-bearded grandpa uses his beard in a unique way.

 

We had a look at the Thai version of the story.

It was written in a script the K2 friends had never seen.

“Wow, What does that say?” 

 

 

After lunch the members of JICA and K2 friends played a guessing game of where the members come from.

 

“Where are you from?”

“I’m from Papua New Guinea.”

 

They often look at the world map, and know the flags, but they weren’t exactly sure where the countries were. It was a great experience getting to know where we are and where they are from. It all starts from learning each other’s differences.

 

 

 We thanked the JICA member by singing a song, “We Are Unity”  for giving us time during their busy schedule.

 

We are one

but we are different

we’re from all around the world

we share the same sun

we share the same ocean

 

It was a very meaningful song to sing, especially in front of the JICA members who come from various places around the world.

 

 

After the photos, we said farewell to the members. They all shook hands with each of the members as we left.

Thank you for the great experience!!! We will definitely visit your country next time!!!