Katherine Nachbar: Niko Niko Tomato

For my CIP, I have been volunteering at にこにこトマト where I interact and play with children that are patients at Kyodai Hospital. There are different activities almost every day of the week for them. So, for example, one day will be music themed where the children get drums and bells and play along to music, while on a another day, they will paint boxes.

The kids were shy initially, but once you started talking to them, they became animated and talkative. One time, I asked a little girl if she could play piano, and she started playing “Let it Go” from memory, over and over again. Her friends joined in and we all sang along. We also played hand clapping games. They showed me a game that seemed complicated at first, but it turned out it was a hand clapping game to the tune of “Yankee Doodle.” My friend, Kate, who also volunteers there, told me that this was a popular game in America as well. I discovered that the games young children play and the things they do for fun in Japan are very similar to what I did growing up.

I have enjoyed volunteering at にこにこトマト. Everyone has been very warm and welcoming. I found that it was a great place not only for the children to make friends with the other children in the hospital, but also for the parents to form a support system. Not only did the children seem to be close, but the parents seemed to have formed bonds as well. It was gratifying to see such a caring community.

 

2 thoughts on “Katherine Nachbar: Niko Niko Tomato

  1. Do you think volunteering at にこにこトマト improved your Japanese? Would you recommend volunteering at にこにこトマトto future KCJS students in need of a CIP?

  2. I think it did improve my Japanese. Before every event, we talked in Japanese with the にこにこトマト staff and then at the event we got to speak with both the children and their parents. It was a great experience and I would highly recommend volunteering at にこにこトマト to future KCJS students!

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