Gorom interns have been volunteering at the Corporación Cultural Cultiba NGO, providing the locals with enriching learning activities of hospitality, dance, literature, and art.
On February 18th, Gorom interns presented the concept of Omotenashi to women entrepreneurs in Suba, Bogota. Omotenashi is a type of hospitality unique to Japan; it refers to delivering the best service without expecting anything in return. The women entrepreneurs gained critical learning experiences regarding the importance of customer service and product value. They learned that consideration towards customers was vital and could even increase the product’s value. An example is the gift wrapping service within Japan, a type of Omotenashi.
Soon after, one of the Gorom interns began instructing a 10-minute ballet class targeted mainly at the local children. After such an exciting session, participants shared their future aspirations, making it an enjoyable, comfortable experience for everyone.
On February 25th, the interns hosted a Kamishibai storytelling class within Bogota NGO’s literature program. The children worked in groups to complete a Kamishibai of the Colombian tale, “Rin Rin Renacuajo” (Tadpole Rin Rin). Kamishibai is a type of Japanese paper theater; narrators would have scripts on the backs of illustrations, reading the story while showing the listeners the drawings and changing the pictures as the story progresses. The interns showed an example using the Japanese folklore of “Momotaro” (Peach Boy). The teams presented the finalized folktale when they completed Kamishibai-ing all the chapters. Overall, the session was a fantastic experience for the children, allowing them to explore Japanese literature culture and collaborate with their peers to achieve a sense of pride and accomplishment
Similarly, an art class took place afterward. An art teacher from Bogota led a workshop where the underprivileged children from Suba were encouraged to express themselves through painting and drawing. The children showed great enthusiasm and creativity, and their artwork was impressive. The volunteers interacted with the children throughout the activity, providing guidance and support. The training was a wonderful experience, allowing the children to learn new skills, express themselves creatively, and gain exposure to new cultures.
All in all, the Gorom interns successfully volunteered at the Corporación Cultural Cultiba NGO. Not only was the experience enriching for both parties, but bonding and coming together to enjoy each other’s cultures led to everlasting memories.
