Nakameguro Elementary School asked us to visit its classrooms for a cross-cultural training program. They wished to invite the same friendship members who visited the school last June. Their ideas were to hold classes for the 6th grade students to deepen cross-cultural understanding through experience of music, sports, traditional cultures and children's games of the guests' countries. Also, in their plan, the classes would last 5 days, but because of the schedules and Japanese speaking abilities of the friendship members, it was hard for us to accept every demand from the school.

　 The friendship members who visited the school were: Mr. Rangarajan (India),　Mses Kasmai Maria and Safi Samsam (Iran), who visited the school last June, too. Also, newly joined members were Mr. Bambico (the Philippines), Ms. Kihira-Jarfas Zsuzsanna (Hungary), Ms. Demmy Herfina (Indonesia), Ms. Zhang (Taiwan)and Mr. Akramul (Bangladesh). Although the schedules were hard, the members enjoyed the program very much. Some of them said that they wanted to learn more Japanese.

　 In February, we were invited by the 5th Junior High School. I wish these activities would give Japanese children to enjoy knowing foreign cultures.

　"In the class, I talked about Iran, such as where it was and how the things were in the country. Iranian dishes and foods are different from Japanese. We eat a lot of beans. Children listened to me and then asked me many questions. They tried Iranian costumes, too. I wrote their names using Iranian letters. They enjoyed Iranian homemade food, called Kuku that I cooked using potatoes. Children helped me so much in grating potatoes and mixing them. I visited the school 5 days and found their classes were amazing. This became a good experience for me. On the last day, the children wrote down what they learnt about Iran on a paper as big as a newspaper. It was clear to me that they were very confident about themselves. We should cherish the young people who will create Japanese future.

　The other day, I received letters from the children. They made me very happy and warm in my heart although it was cold outside. I also wish to see them again."

　

"Thank you so much for writing to me. I am so impressed by reading your letters one by one. It is wonderful that you worked so hard to express your thoughts in your letters.

　Although I spent only 2 days with you, this experience became so important to me. You helped me a lot in cooking. That was your effort which made delicious dishes.

　I will never forget your kindness. Thank you again.　You are so wonderful because you are clever and hard working children. Good luck in your coming life. Take Care!"

　

　"The program consisted of 5 classes, 2 hours each and lasted from November through December. The net time spent with the students was 1 hour each time.

Participants were asked to choose from a list of topics designated by the teacher in charge i.e. toys, music, games, singing, cooking, sports, crafts, dance. 5 to 13 children were assigned to each topic and the guest lecturer was to stay with the same group of children.

　 Not being an expert in any of the above fields in particular, I found it overwhelming to fill out the allocated time and keep the boredom away from the classroom. In order to do so, I sometimes introduced topics that were very distantly related to the assigned profile of the group, if related at all.

　 Due to a lack of foreign participants, I got luckily appointed to two alternating groups, which relieved my burden considerably.

　 The children were eager to establish an easily flowing communication with me. Even the shy ones opened up and gave voice to their ideas.

　 They contributed to the classes with materials from the library, the Internet and even from home from their own initiative. What touched me most is how much they appreciated my efforts. I had a really wonderful time with them."

　

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