The planting in the kindergarten yard of Sonico kindergarten was initiated by Mr. Giacomo Fanetti, a retired local resident. Mr. Fanetti hopes that each of the children and youth who are going to live there have an interest in the idea of “peace” and want these children to become familiar with this important value.
He had contacted local primary school teachers so that themes related to peace would be taken in the class and ask them to teach tolerance, acceptance of God, settlement of dispute through dialog and peaceful exchange of opinions during the class.
The planting ceremony was first held inside the kindergarten’s classroom. Pupils from the kindergarten and primary school sat on the chairs placed in a circle, and adults were standing behind them. After speeches by Mr. Fanetti and Dr. Ebinuma, primary school pupils presented their poems one after another. Seven primary school children each held a large piece of paper in red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, pink, and navy, and presented their drawings and messages written on the other side of the paper.
They held hand-made rainbow flags, sang songs, and children holding hands as they danced in the middle of the classroom.
Then, everyone went outside, and kindergarten and primary school pupils planted the tree in the yard. Although Sonico kindergarten is located at the foot of a mountain, it lies close to the city’s main street. Thus, anyone can see and observe the kaki tree’s growth and primary school pupils can water the tree on the way to the library. The kaki tree will be looked after by not just kindergarten and primary school pupils and teachers but also by the local residents.
