The World Harmony Run visited the Maihama Primary School in Urayasu City on Wednesday, July 12.

The World Harmony Runners taught the students the song Nihon in Japanese to an enthusiastic and extremely well-behaved group of children during their recess.

Runners and children learning a Japanese song together

Shamita, Dundubhi and Upashana played instruments as we sang.

Shamita playing the cello

Upashana (left) and Dundubhi (right)

The group of International Harmony Runners then introduced themselves country by country.

Two hundred excited and energetic children then sprinted around the gym floor.

The older students graciously gave a paper origami crane to each member of the Harmony Team

Then the students offered a lively performance on recorders.

Yukako from Tokio, Josef from Czech Republic and Pujari from San Fransisco organized 3 assemblies demonstrating harmony through creative skits and games. Children from all countries and cultures respond so well when they are actively involved in the program, and the Japanese students were no exception. All the strudents learned the Harmony Run motto: Harmony Begins With Me (in Japanese: Haamonii wa watashi kara hajimaru).

Demonstrating skits about harmony

They then passed the torch and made a wish for harmony.

We ended the assemblies by running in the auditorium to different corners which represented different countries where the students learned the Harmony Run motto in different languages.

Learning the motto in different languages

The World Harmony Run was a complete success and we are extremely grateful to Mrs. Yamaura and the principal Mr. Kohiruimaki for allowing us to come to their school on such a short notice.

Mrs. Yamaura with the Torch

We won't forget our joyful morning with such bright, enthusiastic and well-behaved Japanese children.