On November 29, at Kodomo no Sono children’s home in Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Habitat Japan carried out volunteer activities together with employee volunteers from Henkel Japan at the newly completed “Forest Stage,” part of Phase II of the Playground Project.
The Playground Project utilizes the wooded hillside behind the facility to create spaces that foster children’s healthy growth. In this activity, Henkel Japan volunteers helped produce a large wooden kamishibai (picture-story show) frame for the Forest Stage, designed to nurture children’s creativity and emotional development.
Volunteers assembled the pre-designed frame and decorated it with natural materials such as fallen leaves, acorns, pinecones, and small branches, sparking lively conversations: “This combination will surely delight the children!” and “How can we make the frame even more exciting?” The finished frame became a warm, nature-themed piece full of expressive character.
In addition, volunteers cleared parts of the facility grounds and transformed them into flowerbeds. Participants shared their reflections: “It was wonderful to collaborate with colleagues from other departments and build new connections,” and “Through this activity, I truly felt how our efforts can support children’s futures and be passed on to the next generation.”
By visiting the children’s home and imagining the growth of the children who live there, volunteers experienced firsthand the significance of their support.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Henkel Japan for their cooperation in building the kamishibai frame, providing adhesives, and assisting with land improvement.
