A group of Chinese teenagers, who are living in Japan, are weaving their unique cultural memories, and stories of growing up, through a special platform. It's all thanks to Chai Yinghua, an overseas Chinese. The Japan Children's Chinese-Language Club, a non-profit organization founded by Chai, provides comprehensive support and care to Chinese children and teenagers living in Japan.

Enhancing Mutual Understanding 

Chai has lived in Japan for decades. She returned to her hometown, East China's Shanghai Municipality, to live for about five years when she was in primary school. This experience gave her a deeper understanding of both Chinese culture and the Chinese language. 

In Japan, given the language barrier and cultural differences, Chinese inevitably encounter misunderstandings when living amongst and working with Japanese. 

Chai, who works as a Chinese-language teacher in Japan, says, "I want to create opportunities for people from the two countries to communicate with each other, so they can better enhance mutual understanding." 

With that objective, Chai established the Japan Children's Chinese-Language Club in August 2022. Many of the club's members — parents and children alike — affectionately refer to Chai as "Teacher Jiajia." Jia means excellent in Chinese. 

Chai hopes the platform will help Chinese children integrate into Japanese society more quickly, and, more importantly, allow "Chinese children and teenagers living in Japan to have a place to show themselves." 

Chai and a Chinese friend, a Chinese calligraphy expert, initially organized an activity for children, so they could experience Chinese calligraphy. Two children and their parents participated in that activity. "It was the first time we hosted such an activity, so we didn't invite too many people. With just two children, it was not hard for us to organize the event," says Chai. 

Currently, the club hosts an activity every month. Chai always organizes a "reflection meeting" after each activity, during which she and her staff review the process, discuss ways to improve organization of future activities, and then begin planning the next event. 

Chai believes in communicating with the children and their parents, and especially in listening to their suggestions. "People will succeed through trial-anderror learning," Chai says. 

Cultural Exchanges

Many Chinese-language-training courses, and other clubs for Chinese children, exist in Japan, and almost all of them have been designed to help the children improve their Chinese-language proficiency. 

"Although we are called a Chinese-language club, and it sounds like a place to teach children Chinese, we work hard to create a very relaxed environment. Being relaxed, pleasant and interesting are the highlights of our club's activities," Chai says. 

Activities are divided into two major categories. One is for preschool children. Through playing games, the children have access to and communicate with the Chinese community. The other category is for children (primary school aged) and teenagers. Volunteers teach them Chinese pinyin, calligraphy and poetry, so they can better understand traditional Chinese culture. "The main purpose is to let the children realize where their roots are," Chai says. 

Chai, assisted by volunteers, organizes various activities to mark traditional Chinese festivals. For example, during an activity to celebrate Lantern Festival (which falls on the 15th day of the first month on the Chinese lunar calendar), Chai and volunteers taught children how to make sweet, glutinous rice balls (tangyuan or yuanxiao), the traditional food served during that festival. The volunteers also read picture books with the children, and discussed the cultural traditions related to the festival. The activity helped the children deepen their understanding of Chinese culture. 

"I think it's good to have this kind of cultural experience in Japan. While helping Chinese children identify themselves, it allows more local people to have access to traditional Chinese culture," Chai says. 

Bringing Hearts Closer

Children with special needs face more challenges in determining their cultural identity and integrating socially, Chai says. Therefore, she adds, the club pays special attention to this special group of children, and it provides help and support to autistic and other special-needs children. 

"I want to give these children an environment, outside of their schools, where they can come into contact with the general community," Chai says. 

By organizing colorful activities, such as birthday parties, painting, singing and playing games, Chai allows special-needs children to interact with their peers, in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, and she provides them with opportunities to both learn about society and have contact with the outside world. 

During the activities, volunteers provide one-on-one companionship, and they help the children adapt to their new environment and improve their social skills, through language communication, game interaction and other methods. 

The volunteers are not only companions, but also guides to the children. With love and patience, the volunteers help the children open their hearts, and regain and/or build their confidence. 

One boy, who has a congenital disease, has been especially impressive to Chai. Although his physical condition is poor, and he needs to go to the hospital regularly for treatments, he insists on participating in every club activity. He is usually quiet during the activities, but he enjoys helping others whenever he can. 

The boy's mother has told Chai he is happy after each activity, and he always looks forward to the next gathering. The boy's mother has also said the activities have made the boy's life more fulfilling, and given the family the feeling of hope and warmth. 

Chai plans to register the club as a small charity organization, which will allow it to raise donations and collect supplies more effectively, through a more formalized operation, so it can support more in-need people. 

Photo from Interviewee

Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition

(Women of China English Monthly October 2024)

Editor: Wang Shasha