Report on the 3rd Activity 2024.11.20

The third activity was held on November 17. About 30 learners participated again. We divided them into four groups: elementary school students, junior high school students, adults learning Japanese, and Japanese people to support them. Everyone seemed to enjoy learning very much. In the future, we would like to make time for participants to interact with each other. In this issue, we would like to share with you the impressions of the three people who came to visit us.
　
It was my first time to participate in this activity, and I realized that many different people, including those who wanted to learn how to read and write Japanese and those who wanted to learn for the high school entrance exam, were participating in this study group with various purposes. It was very encouraging to know that there is a place where anyone can learn. This time, I supported a first-year junior high school student in geography, and I felt that there was a lot to learn for those who supported the student as well. I gained many insights and discoveries, and learned a lot（Tochigi Girls’ Senior High School, member of JRC）.

I had the opportunity to visit the voluntary evening middle school and was very surprised to see people of various nationalities and ages studying at the same place. From kindergarten students to those in their 70s, each person is pursuing what they want to study at their own pace. They were enjoying their respective studies in a friendly atmosphere, sometimes chatting with the support staff. Tochigi Kura no Machi Voluntary Night Junior High School is a wonderful place where anyone can learn anytime, forever. People of any age and nationality can participate as long as they have a desire to learn. I hope that this place will continue to be a comfortable place for everyone to meet and learn (Moeka Mori, 4th year student at the University of Shizuoka).

It was my first time to participate in this program, and I had no idea what was right or wrong, but I was able to help guide the students. When I actually tried it out, I realized once again the “Japanese language barrier” for the children. I wondered how well I was able to meet the students' wishes... But I was still happy to see their happy faces saying, “This is perfect!”. I also hear from the whole class, “I want to know more! I want to understand more! I also felt like “I'll try harder next time! Although my age is far away from children's age, I would like to aim at “becoming friends” with them first ( Nobuyuki Magome)

This school is a place where “anyone can learn anytime, forever”. If you are interested, please contact Tamaki at 090-7731-9345. Also, if you are interested in becoming a support staff member, please contact us. The next activity will be on Sunday the 24th from 9:30 to 12:00.
Breaking News!!
A Sinhala study dictionary （Japanese→Sinhara）is scheduled to be published on December 20. We will hold a party to celebrate the publication on December 22 (Sun.) from 3:00 p.m. The venue is a lecture room on the 4th floor of Kirara no Mori Tochigi Kura no Machi Rakushukan. The dictionary will be distributed free of charge. We are preparing an enjoyable social gathering. All Sri Lankans are welcome to attend.

Tamaki Matsuo