The participants from each country are children who are considered vulnerable in their respective societies, such as those living in poverty or in an environment of domestic violence. From the Misono Kodomo-no-Ie, two participants who experienced a short stay in Singapore in 2023, and two others who would like to go to Singapore next served as hosts.

9:30 - 11:30, September 21

The workshop used photographs as homework. All participants and children from Misono Kodomo-no-Ie, a total of 17 children, took a picture of the "sky" at their location on the afternoon of August 18. They also took pictures of objects the same color as the "rainbow" (seven pictures per person, such as a picture of a mandarin orange or a sunflower if it is orange).
The concept is that we are all connected by the sky, even though we seem far apart across the ocean. This workshop aims to build a rainbow bridge together under that sky.
19 children, including those from Misono Kodomo-no-Ie, lined up the photos of the sky first and then the photos of the seven colors, one color below the other, on a base paper measuring approximately 110 cm X 200 cm. With the help of the preschool children, they applied strong glue to the backs of all the photos, stuck the photos to the base paper, and finally filled in the gaps with seven colors of crayons.
Then everyone signed the bottom of the work to complete it.

13:00 - 15:00, September 21

The instructors were Ms. Ayako Shimizu and her daughter, Alice. While the participants had become quite familiar with each other during the art workshop, the stretching session brought them closer together at once. Children from Misono Kodomo-no-Ie also participated, bringing the total number of participants to 22.
The song was from Mrs. GREEN APPLE's StaRt, chosen by the Japanese participants. At the end of the two-hour workshop, all the participants, from the smallest to the biggest, were able to dance well.

15:00-16:30, September 22

On the second day, they learned a slightly more difficult dance in response to some of the children's requests. The song was K-POP, Teddy Bear by STAYC. At first, as many children worked on it as the day before, but gradually, some dropped out. Nevertheless, it was a workshop where everyone enjoyed dancing and cheering, and there was no shortage of smiles.

9:30 - 11:30 & 13:00 - 15:00, September 22

Five members, led by Mr. Iwamoto from Suzuka Onshin Daiko, came to teach us with 20 Japanese drums of various types. A total of 22 participants and children, including preschool children, took part and learned the piece "Isami-Goma." Starting with how to hold the drumsticks, they gradually progressed to how to open their legs, where to hit the drum, how to vary the strength of the beat, how to shout, etc. Everyone was seriously engaged in experiencing Taiko (Japanese drums) for the first time.

To Enoshima on September 21, and Kamakura on September 23

17:30 - 20:00, September 22

The participants from each country exchanged gifts that they had prepared in advance. They presented messages and pictures drawn on Shikishi paper from Japan. From Singapore, they presented works drawn by the participants. From Malaysia, tote bags dyed by the participants, and from Indonesia, batik coin purses. Also, sweets and toys were given to Misono Kodomo-no-Ie children.
A farewell party for Misono Kodomo-no-Ie. There were lots of delicious treats. Overseas participants were especially delighted with the sushi. Even the children who didn't participate in the workshops gathered for a friendly meal.
As a sign of gratitude, overseas participants sang songs and played the piano. The children from Misono Kodomo-no-Ie also joined in, and at the end, they even danced. Then, a surprise birthday cake was brought out for a participant from Indonesia, whose birthday was that day, and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to him. It was a birthday he would never forget. There were tears as they parted.

Japan: Misono Kodomo-no-Ie(from the head of staff and other staff)

Impact on children(any change after Art Camp, preferably on an individual basis)

The four intense days with children from three different countries were unforgettable for the four participants. The Misono children also expressed their impressions of the activities together and felt as if they could communicate with each other even if they could not speak the language well. Thanks to everyone at Little Creators, we were able to create the strength to have friends around the world. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you very much.

What do you think of this kind of project? If we do it next time, will you join us again?　Any suggestion and improving points?

I would love to have children participate. I hope that not only the children who take part in the event, but also other children will have some kind of role and actively participate in the event.
If there is an opportunity to do something similar, I would let children participate. Through the same experience, I think it was an opportunity for them to grow in many areas, such as being able to relate to others even if they don't speak the same language, having the courage to dive into a foreign country and accept it, the ability to see the surroundings and positivity, depending on the child. Although it is not an area for improvement, it would be easier to participate from the first day if the hotel rooms were assigned to multiple people, rather than to people from overseas and Japan. However, it is good for children's growth to have a sense of responsibility and to be in a situation where they have to communicate in pairs, so it is difficult to say which is better. Also, since the children had come all the way to Japan, it would have been nice to have them participate in a program taught by a teacher, but I think it would have been better to include situations such as teaching the children origami or other Japanese-style activities that they could learn and work on.

Any comments

From the last homestay in Singapore, to this visit from overseas, to the various activities in the ordinary, to all the invitations, but thank you for giving the children the opportunity to experience something that they don't often get to experience. Especially this time, the Art Camp was a great opportunity for many children, not just a few, to meet and engage with children of their own age from different cultures and languages by having them come to Misono. This experience has significantly enhanced the children's cultural engagement and understanding. It was amazing to see how the children were able to communicate with each other, not through words, but through their desire to communicate. I was also impressed by the children's ease in overcoming obstacles that we adults are not able to jump over. Of course, some of the nearly 40 children were not able to take that first step, but I believe it was a good experience for them to have the opportunity to experience this. Thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity.

Singapore: The Rice

Impact on children(any change after Art Camp, preferably on an individual basis)

All the 3 students benefited most from the friendships that they had made through the trip. Each one had a unique story to share and brought something different to the trip. Throughout the 3 days we saw our 3 Singapore students being put in situations that were sometimes out of their comfort zones. While some handled it with ease, some took longer time to adapt. But by the end of the 3 days, all 3 students had overcome their challenges and emotions, and we could see that through their smiles, conversations about perseverance and not forgetting their loving tears for their friends. All 3 students are also excited to share their stories with the new batch of students who will be part of future Japan exchange programmes.

What do you think of this kind of project? If we do it next time, will you join us again?　Any suggestion and improving points?

An international exchange of such gives children who come from underserved background an opportunity to step out and experience a different way of living. It broadens their minds and thinking, exposing them to different challenges faced by other children and adults. A lot of our students sometimes get tired of being faced with challenges in their everyday lives but these kind of trips reignites their fighting spirit and motivates them to make a better future for them as they learn from other children's life stories. These kind of opportunities are not presented to them easily and this gives us more reasons to continue providing platforms for them to learn, reflect and experience cultures. We would love to continue this.

Any comments

Feedback
・Shorter waiting time in between activities
・Allowing reflection time after each activity, so that students can reflect on purpose of the activities and learning points
Everything was well thought and planned. Food, hotel stay, transportation and the activities were fun, educational and impactful for the students! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making this a beautiful experience! As teachers, we had the opportunity to bond and get to know about students as well and it will be one to treasure.
Thank you to you and Machiko for being amazing hosts! From the planning onwards to the moment we left, everything was well planned out, and I am grateful to both of you for organizing the exchange well. It was indeed an amazing experience and I have learnt much from both of you, the Misono staff, and the youths that were with us throughout.

Malysia: The Smile Team

From our observation and the girls feedback, we can see that this type of project has had a positive effect on them and I think the other children as well. We look forward to participating in your future camps and projects and hope that you will continue to organizing them. An additional day to include presentations/ sessions from the other countries would be also appreciated

Indonesia: Yayasan Asa Shahati Indonesia

Impact on children(any change after Art Camp, preferably on an individual basis)

There has been a change in the children; their eyes have been opened to the fact that they are more fortunate than their friends in Japan. Even a participant asked me to take her with me if I visit an orphanage in Jakarta.

What do you think of this kind of project? If we do it next time, will you join us again?　Any suggestion and improving points?

This is a very good project. It might be better to expand it to include the introduction of culture, traditions, or something specific from Japan. For example, knowledge about the tea ceremony, a brief history of the samurai, or perhaps knowledge about Japanese imperial traditions.

Any comments

Perhaps this trip could be extended by one more day, so the children can spend more time together. It could include cultural events or simply a day out together.