EGAKU for
Kids & Youth

We held an EGAKU Program for the volunteer staff mothers who have supported us for the children's workshops we run at Sekimachi Kita Elementary School. 

Always watching over the children creating their works, this time they had the courage to take part themselves and paint a picture and give expression to their own thoughts and feelings.

During the appreciation and presentation of each others works, it was an opportunity for the mothers to talk about feelings they rarely get to share, and be inspired by each other. 

We'd like to share a few comments we received from the participants reflecting on this
experience: 
・People are multifaceted. One shouldn't have prejudices or arbitrarily assume things. I would
   like to let go of my preconceptions when I interact with children and people in general. 
・It felt anew that it's by being healthy myself - in mind and body - that I can make people
   around me happy.
・It was an opportunity to think afresh about family and life itself.
・I realized I had assumed that painting was a specialized field. But I feel that from now I'll be
   able to feel that "pictures" - this form of expression that existed in ancient times before
   there we had language - as something more familiar. I also want to see the world created by
   children with the same sentiment. 
・I became aware that I want to enjoy every day with my children, and that I want to continue
   growing.
・I thought that I may be going through a period when I'm wavering in many ways. I've got to
   hold steady!
・I felt how hard it is to give expression to one's thoughts. There may be some technical
   aspects for sure, but beyond that it's perhaps important to continue looking at your heart
   every day.