せーの。 What's up, amazing people? This is IYASASA RADIO by Akane and Minami.
In this radio, we are going to talk about random topics in Okinawan Japanese and English.
はいたーい。 ぐすーよーちゅーがなびら、イヤササレディオのアカネとミナミーやいびん。
うぬレディオでぐすーよーんかい、イエイゴとウチナーグチさんに、
いっぺーうむさるはなし、つづけやんりち、うむとういびん。
Kid's cafeterias are free or low-cost cafeterias that children can go to alone.
It is said that Hiroko Kondo, the owner of the green grocer in Ottawa, Tokyo, started
Dandan Wankoin Kodomo Shokudo in the corner of her store in 2012.
The number of Kodomo Shokudo is increasing year by year, and as of 2022,
7,363 have been confirmed nationwide. The Kodomo Shokudo does not only provide
meals to children from families in need. It is a universal activity that any child can participate
in. In fact, not only children and their guardians, but also elderly people in the area sometimes
participate and eat together. There are various names such as Kodomo Shokudo,
community cafeteria, and everyone's cafeteria. It is expanding. However, there are challenges
to continue activities. Of particular concern is the manpower problem. Many Kodomo Shokudo cannot
operate without volunteer staff, and there are many operators who are worried about the lack of
manpower. In addition, we need funds to prepare ingredients and consumables, and in some cases,
there are no venues that can be used free of charge, so we need funds to rent venues.
In addition, hygiene management is essential to prevent food poisoning. Regarding hygiene
management, it is necessary to take sufficient care while consulting with the local health center.
Dealing with food allergies is also an important issue.
As I mentioned earlier, Kodomo Shokudo does not only provide meals to children from families in need.
It is a universal activity that any child can participate in. In fact, not only children and their guardians,
but also elderly people in the area sometimes participate and eat together. Kodomo Shokudo,
そのエリアにおせっかいなおばさんとかが住んでたらいいよね。
いるはずなんだけどね。
My mother-in-law is the person who when people connect all the time,
so when we moved to Naha,
she introduced us everyone in that area.
We went to say hello in Normandie.
So everyone knows each other's faces.
Like, hello.
I don't remember their names though.
So when that happens,
I can tell if it's this person or that person by looking at their autographs.
You know,
in our era,
I think it's important to connect with people who have the same vibes.
Maybe, yeah.
On social, on everywhere.
In the reality world, too.
But,
of course, we live surrounded by people who have different views,
but I think it's important to connect with people who are like guides to you.
I think it's important.
It's the same with the people around here.
So including that,
it doesn't matter if it's now or in the past,
who is this person?
A friend?
A lover?
I think it's important to connect with people who have the same views as you.
Even if they're your friends,
they might look at you in a weird way.
People around you.
Even if you're 20 years apart,
they might be like,
what? You're friends?
Like that.
There are times when you get surprised.
Because there are a lot of friends who are far away from you.
Your parents might be surprised too.
Like, they don't know what you're up to.
But,
there's no way people who are in the same category can get along with each other in life.
It doesn't matter.
They just get along, so they're together.
So for that kind of relationship,
let's just accept it.
It's the same with marriage, right?
The age gap between a father and a daughter.
It doesn't matter to them.
That's true.
They might think it's more comfortable that way.
If you're the one at the time.
At first, it's prejudice,
but when you talk to them,
it's more natural.
Same vibes.
It's hard to get along with them.
If you're an adult,
you don't have any relatives,
or kids.
If it's just your will,
you'll be able to get along with them.
But that might be a completely different value from their point of view.
It's scary to be kidnapped.
There's a risk involved.
But still,
not accepting as it is.
Let's say if I say,
Hey, this is my friend.
He's 6 years old.
That's like, what the fuck?
It's like, what the fuck?
But it's like, oh, I see.
That's the first step.
I don't know.
Accept it.
When we do events,
it's Chashibi with Kodomo Shokudo.
There are many various people together.
I mean, families are most of the part,
but sometimes as a volunteer staff,
the high school students came,
and a family,
a single mom,
kids of different ages,
normally,
there's no family, but they come alone.
As our friends.
It's all mixed together.
But they feel good at the time.
Because it's a rare situation
to meet different people.
And also, they can eat free food
with doing some activities.
So it's more like a
family reunion.
Families have different ages.
And affiliations.
But it's like,
it's been a while since I felt
this gathering of relatives.
It's fun.
That's why people come.
It's new,
but
it's always a good vibe.
It's like,
there's no tension.
It's like that.
I'm going to digress a bit,
but when families
and warm people gather together
and eat together,
there's a time when I feel like eating.
Again?
It's like...
For what?
It's like, fluffy.
Isn't it a sense of security?
It's like, everyone's here.
It's like that.
Does that mean you're embarrassed?
No, I'm not.
There are times when it's just me and my family.
You're so weird.
My body reacts in a weird way,
but I'll leave that out.
But it's nice,
to gather with people and eat together.
I like that.
Someone will eat what's left.
Someone might get it.
You can talk.
Kids,
they have so much energy.
And...
They don't have any...
How do I say this?
They don't think like adults.
They're really pure.
When they talk,
I feel like I get energized.
Yes, yes.
It's like that.
They ask me questions that I can't answer.
For now, I'm energetic.
When I'm so tired of work,
or something,
they give me some good vibes, energy.
That's why I like doing English teacher,
and also doing family events.
I connect with them.
And they remember me all the time.
So it's like I have many nephews and nieces.
I get it.
I'm so angry,
but I'm warm and energetic.
Energetic again.
There's a question from the kids' cafeteria.
I'll tell you if it's true or not.
1.
Taking pictures of kids all of a sudden.
I'm careful about how I deal with visitors and coverage.
But I say this to everyone.
Taking pictures of kids.
I refuse in advance,
but I do it all of a sudden.
Visitors and volunteers often take pictures of kids and participants.
But for kids,
they get scared of who and what to use,
and they feel like they're being watched.
I don't think this has anything to do with the kids' cafeteria.
I think it's okay to write it in the application form.
Kids' cafeterias get a lot of visitors,
so we have a limit on the number of people.
Everyone has to write it in the application form.
Is it okay to take pictures?
Is it better to quit?
And they like to post on Instagram or something.
But it's important to ask everybody if it's okay or not.
2.
They talk to you like you're a volunteer.
This is a common example of students who come to volunteer or field work for graduation or seminar research.
Why are you here?
What's wrong?
What's hard?
There are people who ask this question to children and guardians.
If a person you don't know suddenly asks you a question that's similar to a pity question,
it can make you feel pressured to clarify your position as a volunteer or non-volunteer.
This is the same as the image story.
But I've never seen those people in our event.
Because it's not business or homework or project for school.
So it's just people who want to do it.
And it's not like they're doing it as a volunteer,
so maybe everyone is vague.
There may be a lot of people who are vague about that.
That's true.
If it's clear, it's easy to collect donations or people,
but the problem may be easy to arise.
I know there are a lot of problems,
but this is not a children's cafeteria,
it's just a normal human relationship.
I think it's the same for charity events.
Well, it's not related to the cafeteria.
Everyone uses social media in different ways.
There are a lot of people who use it all the time.
It's like a greeting.
I don't even know what I'm reflecting on right now.
In the Okinawa community,
there are very few cases where it develops into a dangerous incident.
There are a lot of acquaintances.
I'm especially listening to the children.
If you don't want to be reflected,
please leave the group photo.
Or, well, I don't know.
There are people who can't eat in a group like this.
Actually, you can't help them.
That's right.
There are people like that.
We do a children's cafeteria with some events every month.
We post on Instagram about the details.
I need to send you guys a DM.
I can help you on that day.
Yeah.
We're so glad if people come to do volunteers.
Are you guys accepting donations online or only at the event?
For now, only at the event.
But we want to expand the procedure.
So it will be possible.
Yes.
We sell donations or T-shirts for charity.
We use that money for operating expenses.
Operating expenses are 100% of the total cost.
We can't earn money,
but we want to keep the event.
That's it.
I think there are many people who want to do it even if they don't participate in the event.
But the reason is...
It's like a friend of a friend.
The members of Akane said earlier,
Why are you doing such a hard volunteer?
It doesn't matter if it's a volunteer or actual work.
I'm just doing it because I want to do it.
Don't think too much about it.
It's like I've already done it.
There are many people like that.
Don't think there's a different intention.
Just do it normally.
If it's difficult, I'll just do rice balls.
But...
Even if it's just rice balls, it's not a level of GOKO.
It's not a job.
It's not a brain.
It's a charity activity.
I'm going to make a lot of money for work,
but for this activity,
It's like a club.
It's like a human activity.
There's nothing wrong with it.
That's right.
If it's a volunteer,
I don't have to think about where to take them.
For those who aren't there,
For example, Minami,
You don't have to do anything on your day off.
People can come to donate clothes and take clothes for free.
But...
It's not like...
Can I say this?
I didn't think of anything.
I'm going.
Just hang out, right?
That's right.
I'm going because I was called.
I don't think it's a weekend part-time job.
It's not like I'm told to do this or that.
It's a weekend.
If I'm at home, I can do something on weekdays.
I don't really...
Oh, that's it.
Minami's job is...
It's a computer job.
What you can do in the real world is just playing.
Even washing dishes.
I do a lot of work.
I wash the dishes in between.
That's when it's pretty relaxing.
I just wash the dishes with water and it's over.
What a good activity.
That's part of it.
Besides,
I don't know. Minami is just a kid.
I just like it.
I don't like it.
There's always a lot of people around.
It's like normal people.
There's no distinction between adults and children.
I don't think about anything.
It was fun.
Isn't it better than going as a guest?
That's right. It's more meaningful to go.
It's outdoor.
It's good to hang out with nature.
It's relaxing and refreshing.
It's good to meet new people, too.
If you're always in the same group.
I liked how I helped.
I sometimes help my friends barbecue.
What I have in common with Minami is that she works like a foreigner.
No one interferes.
I don't have to stand or sit.
Freedom.
If there's an organization like this,
and there's a leader,
if you're told what time you're supposed to be here,
you might be like, what?
That's true.
That's about it.
There's no such thing.
If there's something like that,
I don't know if it's a level that pays off.
If you want to do it, do it.
I think it's good.
That's how we continue.
If you guys want to know more about Char-CV's activities,
and Kodomo Shokudo, etc.,
you can check their Instagram.
You can send DM if you want to help them.
If you want to donate something,
you guys accept the things, too, right?
Not the money.
Clothes, books, any stuff.
If you don't need, but if you want to give things to people.
You need to do laundry before you give it.
You need to wash your clothes before you give it.
Events are not only for kids.
It's for adults, too.
It's for all humans.
It's good for adults to come to Kodomo Shokudo alone.
That's true.
If you don't want to eat alone.
I will go.
With my dog.
Some people bring their dogs.
I thought it was good to bring my dog to the last event.
It's good for us.
Someone playing with him.
Also, some kids cannot have a dog at home.
There are quite a few.
Like a mental dog.
You cannot have a dog at home.
But it's hard to have a dog at home.
So I bring my dog to events like that.
You can play more freely than pet shops.
There are a lot of kids who are happy to see them once a week.
Just because they want to.
That's true.
Overall, it's good to connect people.
All kinds of people.
We always make the opportunity to keep doing events.
For me, too.
For them, too.
But when it comes to food,
I wonder if schools and government can give more money.
That's true.
I think we should start with breakfast.
That's true.
Until dinner.
That would be helpful.
Lunch costs in Okinawa, right?
It does.
You have to pay for it.
For example,
if you pay a little more,
well, if you pay a little more,
it's a bonus,
but you have dinner and breakfast.