Since the breakout of Covid-19, opportunities for social interaction and extracurricular activities for students have been greatly diminished. Nevertheless, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of community, person-to-person communication and a need to give to the locality. Upon this premise, my English Communication seminar was granted permission to conduct a Christmas-themed event at the Kobe Boys Town Infant Care Center on December 5th, 2021. This facility houses more than 100 children from ages 1 to 18. Since the beginning of 2020, it has experienced a sharp reduction in visitors and activities. 

Eighteen seminar students spent two weeks planning the event, and 11 visited the facility. The basic program was as follows:

1. A welcome and introductions

2. A mini music performance (3 songs)

3. Storytime (2 storybooks)

4. Making animal figures from twisting balloons 

5. Craft time making Christmas ornaments

5. Snack time and goodbyes

As safety was a top priority, the following measures were taken:

1. Body temperature checks were done twice in the morning and upon arrival.

2. All participants, including children, wore masks.

3. Upon entering the facility, shoes were removed, and hands disinfected. 

4. All snacks were commercially made and not handled by hand.

5. Notably, Boys Town is located in the Suma countryside, with minimal contact with people.

The children were receptive to our students, who received high praise from the facility director and staff. In addition to successfully providing an afternoon of fun for the kids, our students were able to realize what they could accomplish when working together for a common purpose. Consequently, connecting with new people instilled a new feeling of unity, self-esteem, and a higher awareness of the significance of being a part of a broader local community.