On my first day, my supervisor mentioned that it would be fine to dedicate this week to various preparations. However, eager to get acquainted with the children, I decided to host an origami workshop using the origami paper I brought from Japan. In a workshop that lasted about 30 minutes, we crafted stars together.

Surprisingly, origami requires a considerable vocabulary. Terms like ‘star,’ ‘fold,’ ‘carefully,’ ‘corner,’ and ‘crease with your fingernail’… each needed to be explained meticulously. Through this origami session, not only did we create beautiful stars, but it also served as a wonderful opportunity for the children to get to know me as a Japanese art teacher.

It was a heartwarming experience to introduce a piece of my culture, and at the same time, it became a unique way for us to bridge our languages and cultures. I look forward to more of these enriching sessions where art becomes our universal language.