A Hoikuen is a dedicated childcare facility in Japan, catering to the needs of children aged 0 to 5. It is a preschool that operates as a substitute for family care when parents, due to work or other circumstances, are unable to provide sufficient care at home.
Several years ago, I saw a book titled, All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum. The title caught my attention though I have never read it. The idea here is somewhat similar to that.
Coming to Japan was something I had wanted to do for a very long time. The opportunity presented itself last year. Here are my takeaways from having been at the preschool for several months now.
1. Learning the language is very important. Without knowing the language of the country that one is doing missions in, one will not be effective. The frustrations too, can feel endless. Save yourself the trouble and at least learn it conversationally.
2. Love and empathy are universal languages that do not require words. Empathy is universal. Comfort transcends language.
Japanese children can change their own clothes and pack their own bags from about three years old. They can separate their wet and dirty clothes from their clean ones. Some children may still need help but many can already manage. However, regardless of age, a child who is hurting will always cry and come to an adult for help. Upon being comforted, they then return to play. If a child falls down and is hurt, their scrapes and wounds are treated. If they are physically unharmed but just afraid, after allaying their fears, I tend to return them to the place where they had fallen or gotten hurt earlier and help them to attempt again. Sometimes it was a misstep while walking upwards or down. Sometimes it was falling off a bicycle or a swing. The child usually succeeds when he or she is not afraid. On the field, missionaries need a person to go to for help, empathy, and assurance that they are going to be okay. After that, return and attempt the thing that they were attempting before they got hurt or were afraid if it is possible.
3. As with many things in life, guidelines are important. Simple guidelines like asking before taking something to play or use and looking around before one does something will prevent miscommunication and especially, offence. Likewise, have guidelines on how you are going to act on the mission field. If unsure, find out the do’s and don’t’s.
4. Stay home if one is sick.
With the pandemic, work culture has changed. Before, people used to go to work even though they were sick. Missionaries need to be healthy. Go for the check-ups, and be healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually. Otherwise, delay the trip. Whatever challenges that one faces under normal circumstances back home, those challenges tend to be amplified, magnified and multiplied several times when one is on the mission field. Get well, and deal with any offences before one goes to the mission field. One cannot look after others if one is unwell or unfit.
5. Build bridges.
Cross-cultural communication often results in miscommunication. However, it can also be used to build bridges. Helping others even when they don’t expect it is something I try to do.
The Japanese are a very independent people. The women tend to look after the children on their own whereas in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, we tend to have helpers who help with the children and the housework. Offering to help with the children’s bags and water bottles, opening and closing doors, and bringing their children out or in when there is traffic congestion during pick-up or drop-off times are just some of the things I do to help. It was Mother Teresa who said we don’t need to do great things, just little things with great love. Conversely, if the culture you are working in is one where people expect things to be done for them, then one has to balance things out by helping them to be more responsible. Build bridges cross-culturally.
Enjoy the ride while you are on it!
Wai Ling had wanted to go to Japan for more than thirty years. She was able to go as an English teacher last year.
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