Our first visit to Laos

In mid-June, we visited a total of four elementary schools in Laos.

Each had a group of about 40 children and we spent an hour and a half each.

We visited both public and private schools, and what we found in common was that there is not much education in the arts and other subjects.

There are almost no classes in music or physical education, and although the public school where the JICA members go seems to offer physical education, even so, the lack of resources limits what can be done. They have opportunities to practice traditional Lao dances and songs, but they do not actually play instruments or sing with sheet music.

Since our goal is to introduce Laotian children to the joys of music, art, and exercise, we tailored our workshops to meet their specific needs.

We purchased and brought not only the donated recorders and melodicas but also large ropes, balls, pens, origami, etc., all of which we donated.

At the local music workshop, we divided the group into two groups, one for recorders and the other for percussion, in order to keep the group size small. The percussion group began with rhythm practice, followed by actual practice with castanets and bells.

The recorder team taught "C" and “G.” Since it was the first time for all the children to see and touch the recorders, some blew too hard and some could not prevent the holes with their fingers, but when the sound came out well, they showed big smiles!

After that, everyone played along to a traditional Laotian tune played by Chisako on the violin.