[ACTIVITY REPORT] Sewing & Knitting Meeting #4

We had the 4th sewing & knitting meeting on 7th March. This meeting had started for the bazzar in Feburuary, but we decided to comtinue to get together and make items. 7 members in the community participated and 5 were new at this meeting. We were so happy to have new members and enjoyed having time with them.

The mothers from foreign countries were interested in making Hina decoration ornaments. These ornaments are for Hinamatsuri, the Doll's Festival for girls, in March. The dolls called Hinaningyou are more common and these ornaments called Tsurushikazari were originally peculiar to Izu area in Shizuoka prefecture, but now they are seen in some other areas in Japan. People make them to pray for girls' good health and good relationships. They are made by Chirimen, crepe fabric. We tried to make them. They are not so difficult and so cute!

Monkeys & Hoozuki (a kind of fruit)

We could have time to feel refreshed while children were playing freely. It was also a nice opportunity to make friends with other mothers and share information. I want to see you all next time!

【IMCY Activity Report】Deko Maki Sushi Workshop & Gathering #2 on January 27th and #3 on 25th February, 2014.

IMCYは2014年1月27日と2月25日に第2回、3回目のデコ巻き寿司ワークショップ＆交流会を開催しました。

このワークショップは横浜で子育てするママたちが国籍に関係なく繋がり、より楽しく子育てができるようにとIMCYのママ達が企画したものです。（この活動は、横浜市西区社会福祉協議会の「にこまち助成金」の交付を受けています。）
両回とも多くのご応募を頂き、沢山のママたちに興味を持って頂けたことをうれしく思います。
季節がら、インフルエンザ等で数名欠席がありましたが、写真のとおりにぎやかにデコ巻き寿司（第2回は子パンダ、第3回はクマ）をつくり交流しました。

第2回目の子パンダは比較的作るのが簡単だったこともあり、参加者同士のおしゃべりをする時間がとれました。ママの交流の場の情報共有などをしたり、ＦＢで繋がるきっかけとなりました。ママたちのワークショップの間、保育ボランティアの皆さんの協力を得て、14名のお子さんが保育のお部屋で過ごしました。今回は事前に子どもたちの好きなおもちゃをヒアリングして保育者へ伝えたり、音楽を用意してもらい子どもたちがより楽しめるようにしました。最初は少し鳴き声が聞こえていましたが、その後は落ち着いて遊んでくれたように思います。

また第3回目は、これまでの2回で定員から漏れてしまった方を優先的に参加して頂きたいという想いから急きょ開催を決定しました。この回は保育付きではなく、子ども達もママと同室でおもちゃで遊びながらのデコ巻きワークショップでした。ママ達が寿司を作ったり交流することに集中できないのではという懸念もありましたが、ママがみえる範囲にいる安心感からか新しい環境・お友達の中でも比較的穏やかに遊んでくれました。

両回ともとても楽しいイベントとなりました。
参加して下さった皆さん、運営スタッフとしてお手伝い下さった皆さん、本当にありがとうございました♪

IMCY held Deko Maki Sushi Workshop & Gathering #2 on January 27th and #3 on 25th February, 2014.

The IMCY mothers planned this workshop for women who live and raise children in Yokohama, to get to know other mothers regardless the nationality and make our lives happier and more comfortable (This activity is supported by the Nikomachi Subsidy).

We received a lot of applications for both workshops and are happy to find that many mothers are interested in our activity.

Unfortunately, it's the flu season and some people couldn't join due to their sickness. As in the pictures, participants enjoyed making Deko Maki Sushi (Baby Panda at #2 and Bear at #3) and communication.

At the workshop #2, the Baby Panda was comparatively easier and there was enough time to talk with other participants to share information on the places for mothers or get connected on Facebook etc. During the workshop for mothers, 14 children spent time in the nursery room with the help of babysitting volunteers. This time we asked each child's favorite toys beforehand and tell the babysitters, and we also asked the volunteers to prepare some music so that children can enjoy the stay. At first, we heard crying voices of some children but in a while they stopped and it seemed that they played in peace.

We decided to have the workshop #3 mainly for those who couldn't join the previous workshops. This time there was no babysitting and mothers and children stayed in the same room and mothers learned to make Deko Maki Sushi while children playing around them. There was a fear that mothers might not be able to focus on Deko Maki Sushi with children around, but in fact children rather looked happy that they can see their mom and played comparatively in peace under new environment and friends.

Both workshops were so much fun.

We would like to show our deep gratitude to the participants and volunteer staff.

[CAFE] Co-machi Cafe in Totsuka (Baby/Child-Friendly)

The co-machi Cafe is run by mothers (an NPO named Comachiplus) and a very baby/child-friendly place, located 5 minutes on foot from Totsuka station*.

*The cafe will be closed from 15th March and moved in May. The detail will be updated later.
The lunch reservation until 14th March is almost full, so please call and ask them if you wish to have lunch there. (Updated 10th March)

Co-machi Cafe Webpage (in Japanese)

 

It is decorated with pretty ornaments and there are also a space for kids to play and a changing table.

It is open from 10:00 to 16:00, from Monday to Friday.

Lunch time is 11:00-14:00 and it would be better to make a reservation (please call the reservation number on the official website, 10:00-16:00)

In addition, the lunch reservation is either 11:00-12:30 or 12:30-14:00.

There are menus for children, too!

[PLAYGROUP] IMCY Multilingual Playgroup in March 2014

Sorry for the short notice.
We are going to have the Multilingual Playgroup on Wednesday, 12th March, 13:30-15:00.

Attention! The place is changed to Furocho Chiiki Care Plaza (3F Multipurpose room).
About 10 min walk from JR/Blue Line Kannai station or 5 min from Blue Line Isezaki-Chojamachi station.

We are going to let children play freely, sing songs, do some finger play and read books.
Please feel free to bring books in your own language(s).

[HEALTH] PM2.5 Alert Information (by the City of Yokohama)

Not only pollen (that causes hay fever) and Asian Dust, the PM2.5 density increases in this season.

In this page, we can see if the PM2.5 high density alert is announced or not.
「現在、PM2.5高濃度予報等はありません」:Now there is NOT PM2.5 high density alert etc.
*Sorry, we don't know what sentence is used when it's on alert since we haven't seen it yet.
http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kankyo/mamoru/kanshi/pm25open/

When the alert is on,
1) we should avoid going outside without inevitable reasons
2) we should not do any sports outside for a long time
3) try to minimize the ventilation of the house/room
4) pay attention to those who suffer respiratory diseases, young children and elderly people

The alert will be announced at around 8 o'clock according to the measurement of 5, 6 and 7 o'clock in the morning.

[NOTICE] Child-Care Festa in Isogo Canceled

To our regret, the Child-Care Festa in Isogo on 15th Feb. was canceled due to the bad weather and the troubles of the means of transportation.

We've been preparing for the festival since December and feel really really sorry for this.

[ACTIVITY REPORT] International Festival at Kaminoki, 9th February 2014

We attended the International Festival at Kaminoki, Sunday, 9th Feb.
It snowed so heavily (the heaviest in the past 47 years in Tokyo area!?) the day before, and we still had problem with the means of transportation, especially in the morning. To our regret, many of the groups who were planning to attend this festival canceled and there were only three food booths including us.

There were not so many visitors in the morning, but around noon, more and more people came and we almost sold out our foods. In total, we sold 90 items (gulab jamun, date cake, kinako macaron, decorated cookies, Indian accessories, some other souvenirs from Europe, and hand-made items).

There were many visitors with young children and we were happy to have chance to talk with them (to introduce our activities).

And personally, we enjoyed Russian and Brazilian foods!! Yum yum.

Again, we would like to show our gratitude to those who supported us:
The staff from Kokusai Koryu Jyuku Kanagawa, the staff from Kaminoki chiku center, the customers, and our dear members.

The next festival is on 15th February at Isogo Kokaido Hall. Don't miss it!