【Activity Report】Origami Workshop at Macomb's Bridge Library – Small Changes Sparked by a "Cultural Experience"

Hello everyone! This is NY de Volunteer.

On Saturday, March 29, we held an origami workshop at Macomb's Bridge Library, located on 145th Street, about 20 minutes north of Times Square.

This event came about thanks to a request from the library staff, who asked us to introduce origami to the local community.

On the day of the event, four of our staff members spent a meaningful time with five participants, using origami as a way to share Japanese culture.

Excitement and Discovery Brought by First-Time Origami

The participants in the workshop ranged from children to adults, with many being regular library visitors. Some had seen the flyer for the event and came out of curiosity about origami. Interestingly, for all the participants, it was their first time experiencing origami.

They came with questions like “What exactly is origami?” and “What does origami mean?”—showing a genuine interest in learning about this part of Japanese culture.

We folded rabbits, dogs, and cherry blossoms to match the spring season. Among these, the most popular piece was the classic shuriken (ninja star), a favorite among children in Japan. At first, some participants were surprised by the number of steps and struggled to shape the shuriken correctly. But once the children got the hang of it, they picked it up quickly and continued folding enthusiastically—their incredible ability to learn left us amazed.

One participant in particular kept trying despite some difficulty with the folding steps, saying, “I want to try again!” In the end, they smiled and exclaimed, “Origami is fun!” It was inspiring to see how curiosity and willingness to try something new can bring joy, regardless of age or experience.

The Value of “Sharing the Experience” Over “Folding Perfectly”

This workshop reminded us that the true value lies not in folding origami perfectly, but in enjoying the cultural experience together. Watching the participants, especially those encountering Japanese culture for the first time, enthusiastically using their hands and interacting with us—it was a powerful example of communication fostered through culture.

I felt so grateful to share in that moment, and it became a memorable experience for me as well.

Taking a Step Toward Becoming a Changemaker

Even a small workshop like this can help expand someone’s worldview by offering them a new experience and introducing a different culture. Through events like this, I hope to continue creating more opportunities that serve as a “catalyst for change” in each individual’s life.

To those of you thinking, “I want to move someone’s heart by sharing culture,” why not take that first step with us?

Report by Miyuu

Staff Member, NY de Volunteer