MTE:🌿 Learning Through Our Bodies, Expressing Through Our Hearts - MTE Fall Journal Filled with All Five Senses

 What a wonderful and fulfilling fall it has been with our MTE family!

 Since September 19, we have been learning through movement, writing poetry through our cameras, working up a sweat through exercise, cooking together with tears in our eyes (thanks to the onions!), and growing through MTE's unique, hands-on approach to social skills development. We have also shared heartwarming moments of recognizing and celebrating one another's strengths.

 Let's take a look back at the many stories that made up MTE Fall 2026, one by one. 😊

1. Understanding Our Bodies at Bear Creek Park     

On September 19, we kicked off the 2026 MTE Fall Semester at Bear Creek Park.  

This semester began on an especially joyful note as we welcomed several new and familiar faces. Siu, Wonjun, and Jinsu joined us as youth volunteers, while Riel and Esther joined as new participants.

A special highlight of the day was an educational session called "Understanding Our Bodies," led by Mr. Ki-hong Kim, a rehabilitation exercise therapist.

During the session, we explored:

This was not simply a lecture where children sat and listened. They had the opportunity to learn through hands-on physical experiences.

Together, we practiced six essential components of physical fitness:

It was a wonderful opportunity to discover just how amazing and intelligent our bodies are—and to appreciate them all the more.

2.  Discovering Poetry Through Our Eyes: Dica Poetry      

 Have you ever heard of Dica Poetry?

 It is a combination of Digital Camera + Poetry—a creative literary form that captures poetic moments found in nature or everyday objects through photography and a short poem of approximately three to five lines.

 Our Dica Poetry class was led by our very own artist, Ms. Jina Kim. After a brief introduction, the children grabbed their cameras and headed out to capture the beauty of autumn. They photographed the sky, colorful leaves, and everyday spaces around them, searching for those special poetic moments.

They learned to discover the poetry that was already right in front of their eyes and express the emotions and thoughts that came to mind in just three to five lines.

In such a short time, their creativity blossomed, and their poems began to shine!

The same place, the same autumn, but different eyes—and different poems. 

That is the beauty of Dica Poetry.

3. Minhwa Art Class – A Moment of Rest at the Tip of a Brush        

 Once again this year, following last year's wonderful experience, we were delighted to welcome Ms. Sun-ok Yang, President of the Vancouver Minhwa Art Association. The children and mothers each had the opportunity to paint an animal representing their own zodiac sign in the traditional Korean folk-art style of Minhwa. As the brush gently glided across the Korean hanji paper, beautiful colors seemed to fill not only their artwork but also their hearts. Quietly adding colors, admiring one another's paintings, and enjoying the creative process together made that one hour a truly heartwarming and healing experience.

4. Learning Respect Through Sweat – Beginner Taekwondo    

 With Master Jaekwon Kim, we began learning the fundamentals of Taekwondo through a beginner-level program. As the children straightened their backs and practiced proper posture, we could see a change in their eyes and expressions. They blocked, punched, and shouted powerful Taekwondo cries as little beads of sweat began to form on their foreheads. Yet their faces were filled with a growing sense of pride and accomplishment. 

 It was a time to strengthen their bodies while also learning to respect others. Learning respect through sweat and physical practice—that was truly MTE-style!

5. Creating the Best MTE We Want to Build Together         

"What would the best possible MTE class look like if we created it together?"

 When Anne Teacher asked this question, the children gathered together and began thinking seriously. They discussed ideas, created posters, and presented their thoughts to everyone. 

 But the most touching part came during the following classes. The children began making an effort to keep the promises and follow the guidelines they had established themselves. It was wonderful to see them participating joyfully while also learning to think independently and take responsibility. Their presentations were even better than we had expected, so MTE treated every child to a delicious bubble tea! 🧋

 A class where children become the owners and creators of their own learning—that is exactly what MTE dreams of building.

6. Social Skill  Class – Hilarious Acting That Had Everyone Rolling with Laughter!    

Our Social Skills class began with one simple question:

"Your friend has bought a new outfit, but honestly, it doesn't look good on them at all. How can you tell them the truth without hurting their feelings?"

 That was all Anne Teacher had to ask! The children immediately jumped into action. Working in small groups, they quickly created short skits and performed them for everyone. Their creativity and acting skills were absolutely hilarious! Everyone was practically rolling on the floor with laughter as the children expressed themselves with their whole bodies and hearts. Amid all that laughter, they were actually learning an important life skill: how to be honest while still being kind, and how to speak the truth without hurting someone's feelings.

7.  The Day Photography Began to Speak to Me    

 On November 7, we had the pleasure of visiting the gallery at the home of Mr. Simon Choi, a photographer actively involved in Vancouver's photography community.

 We had the opportunity to appreciate not only Simon's own works but also photographs by internationally renowned photographers. Before picking up our cameras, we first learned to see and appreciate photography through the eyes of others. Inspired by what we had seen, we then picked up our own cameras and tried capturing moments of our own.

  After the lesson, we took turns being models and photographers, snapping pictures of one another. The room was filled with laughter and the continuous sound of camera shutters! Whenever we get together, it somehow turns into a party!

8.  Food Session :  Curry vs. Hayashi Rice    

  We began by watching a short instructional video, learning the process with our eyes before putting our hands to work. The children took on the roles of chefs and kitchen managers and stood in front of the stove themselves. From chopping ingredients and stir-frying to simmering and serving, they prepared the entire meal with their own hands. Our eyes watered a little while chopping onions, but somehow that made the dinner taste even better! Same ingredients, different cooking styles, and our very own little chefs!

 Looks like we no longer need to worry about them going hungry even when Mom isn't around!

9. 🌱 MTE Kids –  Growing Closer, One Step at a Time    

 MTE Kids meets once every two weeks.

 Our very first gathering began at Bear Creek Park, led by Anne Teacher. The children collected colorful fallen leaves from the park and used them to create their very own MTE poster. Nature became their art materials, and their imagination turned those materials into something special. 🍂 Our MTE Kids have also enjoyed camping together—even on rainy days! They have painted traditional Minhwa artwork featuring the animals representing their zodiac signs, gone apple picking at an apple farm, and run around joyfully at Green Timbers Park. They have even made pizza together and shared a delicious meal.

 Through all these experiences, they have been creating, running, laughing, and sometimes making little mistakes along the way. Yet, with every gathering, small but special memories of our own continue to grow.

 We are not in a hurry. We want to build relationships where children feel comfortable simply being together, and a community where everyone can belong despite their differences. That is how MTE Kids is growing—slowly, naturally, and one step at a time. 💚

10. Support MTE – Keep Shopping as Usual, Double the Love!    

MTE doesn't grow alone. We grow because of the wonderful people who walk alongside us and lend us a helping hand.

 Ms. Jina Kim has generously opened an online shopping mall exclusively for MTE! Simply shop as you normally would, and a portion of the proceeds will automatically go toward supporting MTE. And guess what? We had our very first MTE Shopping Mall launch at the recent K-Food Festival!

 One shopping trip, one click—each can help build a brighter tomorrow for MTE. We would love for you to join us! 💛

     🧴💊🎁 Shop and you will 🫂 support MTE 🌱 👉

https://www.amway.ca/myshop/MTEcommunitySupport

2. ❤️ Support Us with a Donation Even a small act of generosity can bring a big smile to the faces of MTE children.

      MTE Donation to: morethanenoughcands@gmail.com

  As a registered Canadian charity (Reg. No: 797184033 RR 0001), MTE Society issues official tax receipts for donations of $50 CAD or more. To receive your receipt, please include your full legal name, mailing address, and email in your e-Transfer memo or send them to morethanenoughcands@gmail.com.  

3. 📩 Subscribe and Stay Connected Be among the first to hear about the heartwarming stories and updates from MTE.

      Know MTE, Love MTE! 👉 https://maily.so/morethanenough

11. See You at the MTE Celebration!    

 Through all these experiences, our children are gradually learning something important: It is good to be together. We don't have to be alone. Our children may each carry their own challenges, some of which are not immediately visible to others. Alongside them are our wonderful volunteers, standing beside them and leading by example. And there are so many kind-hearted people who support this community in their own unique ways, each contributing what they can. Because of all of you, MTE is a happier place.

 And now, we would love to invite you to the MTE Celebration! 🎉

 Following last year's event, we are once again hosting our 3-Minute Film Festival and MTE Bazaar & Fundraising Event. The moments our children have shared this fall—writing poetry through their cameras, expressing themselves through acting, cooking with their own hands, and exercising together—have been transformed into short films that will be presented on the big screen. Please come and watch, laugh with us, and cheer our children on! One step through the door, one round of applause, and one word of encouragement from you can give our children tremendous courage and confidence. 

 We look forward to seeing you at MTE's warmest celebration of the winter! We will be waiting for you with warm hearts and open arms. 💚

함께해 주셔서 진심으로 감사합니다.

You are already truly More Than Enough. 

Special Needs 와 Neurotypical 아이들 과 부모 그리고 벌룬티어들이 함께 모여 서로 사랑하고 배워가는 공동체 MTE 소식지입니다