Welcome to October and harvest time! We have lots of homegrown organic pumpkins available now. Every pumpkin purchase is a direct donation to JOEE and the work that we do with children growing up in orphanages in Japan. If you would like to buy a pumpkin, click on the “Pumpkin Order Form” link below:
On the Google Form listed above, you can reserve a pumpkin and name your pick-up date and location. Pumpkins can also be mailed to you, but the cost of postage will be extra. If you would like to simply donate via credit card to JOEE, please use the button labeled “DONATE” at the left. If you would like to make a Japan Postal transfer, the directions are listed below:
You can donate directly to the JOEE Japan Postal Account: Name: ジョーイー （JOEE) JP Branch Kanji: 〇一八 JP Branch: #018 JP Account: #10100-89960791 Account Type: Ordinary (Fustuu)
Why do we do what we do? For the international JOEE volunteers, our best reward is seeing the happy faces of the children as they play, dance and sing while learning English. Being able to speak English and to connect with people from many different cultures are important skills that will help them in the future and they grow up and seek out jobs in Japanese society.
It has been almost six years since JOEE began teaching English lessons in orphanages in Japan. Our volunteer teachers have collected many meaningful and heart-warming memories connecting with eager children and watching them learn and grow. Volunteering is its own reward, of course, but recently JOEE was presented with a recognition award at an event in downtown Tokyo called, “Mochi-Fes.”
“Mochi-Fes” is an annual event sponsored by the Japan Child Foundation. This year, we were invited to participate and to set up a booth to distribute pamphlets and inform the public about our work. A group of energetic JOEE volunteers met up at the Shibuya Line Building on February 6th, ready to spread “JOEE to the world.”
We gave out light blue bracelets printed with the JOEE.jp website and our kangaroo logo (joey means baby kangaroo), which was designed by author-illustrator, Satoshi Kitamura. Over 300 people of all ages stopped by our booth. Many of them met Mehhhgumi the Sheep and stayed to hear about the work that we do with kids growing up in protective care homes.
Later, during a concert and program highlighting the ten different organizations that make a positive difference in the lives of children in orphanages, JOEE, along with other NPOs, was called to the stage to accept a framed award along with a golden soccer ball signed by a famous soccer player, Nahomi Kawasumi.
The best thing about this event was that many people who had never known that there were so many orphanages in Japan, now knew of their existence. Many who did not know about the thousands of children in protective care homes, now knew that these children are there and in need of help and support. Knowing that a problem exists is the first step in finding a solution.
JOEE volunteers give of their time and share their hearts with children who have ended up in orphanages, not through any fault of their own. They are removed from hurtful and neglectful circumstances and placed in a care home where they receive food and clothing and nurturing care until they are 18 years old… and then they are on their own. The kind-hearted souls who help out with JOEE lessons know that the greatest reward is having the privilege to be with these children who deserve a bright future. The best reward is being able to share love.
On October 15, Mehhgumi the Sheep made her singing debut in Tokyo at a fundraiser for a nonprofit benefitting kids in care homes. Mehhgumi, (who is also known as “Baaa-bara”), with a bit of help from me, sang the Sesame Street classic, created by Jeff Moss, “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon.” Have a listen:
10月15日、羊のめ～ぐみは、養護施設の子供たちを応援する非営利団体の東京での募金イベントで歌手としてデビューしました。め～ぐみ(「バ～バラ」とも呼ばれる)は、私の助けを借りて、ジェフ・モスが作成したセサミストリートの名曲「I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon」を歌いました。聞いてください:
I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon
Jones, that old hound dog, had begged with his big, old puppy eyes, to be taken along to the fundraising event. He was thrilled when Elvis showed up and belted out the “Hound Dog” song. Jones danced and howled along with the music, gracing us all with doggy breath and delirious drool.
We had a marvelous time, crooning tunes and dancing like loons. I did my best to help by singing and playing the harmonica along with the John Denver classic, “Take Me Home Country Roads.” Towards the end of the evening, something very mysterious and magical happened.
For several weeks, I had been planning trips to Nagoya, Kobe and Osaka on behalf of JOEE. I would be preaching at a couple of churches and visiting orphanages with my puppets. One event that I was looking forward to attending was a birthday party for a little girl in Kobe. The theme of the party was rabbits. Did I have a large rabbit puppet that I could bring to the party to perform with? No, I did not. I had lions, cats, sheep, frogs, even an elephant. But no large rabbits. So, I was thinking hard about rabbits that night. I was wishing for a rabbit puppet. Guess what happened?
While taking a break from singing up on stage, a woman approached me and, out of the blue, asked me, “Would you like to have a rabbit puppet?” My jaw dropped in surprise. “Yes! I would love to have a rabbit puppet!” I wondered how in the world did this woman, (whom I had never met before), know that I needed a rabbit puppet. “Wait here — I’ll be back soon.” She returned with a beautiful puppet that had sat in her house, unused, for forty years. “I would be happy if you could use this puppet with JOEE.”
I accepted the new JOEE puppet with joy and brought it back with me to my home in Nagano. I call it my “Thought Rabbit.” And because “thought” is “kanga-e” in Japanese and because JOEE or “joey” means baby kangaroo, maybe I can call it “Kangae-roo.” It was a thought in my head and then it magically appeared and jumped into my arms.
We hope that good and magical things continue to happen through JOEE and that our supporters will share in our joy at helping others. Please help us reach our goal of raising $50,000 within the next couple of years by donating at the link below. This is our new Global Giving fundraiser, “JOEE to Japan!” Can you help us reach our giving goal? Here’s the link or you can click on the “Global Giving link below:
私たちは、JOEEを通じて魔法のような良いことが起こり続け、サポーターの皆様が人を助ける喜びを私たちと分かち合ってくださることを願っています。以下のリンクで寄付して、今後2年以内に50,000ドル集めるという目標を達成するのを手伝ってください。これは私たちの新しいGlobalGiving募金「JOEE to Japan!」です。募金目標を達成するのを手伝ってくれませんか？このリンクか、以下の「GlobalGiving」リンクをクリックしてください。
For those of you who would like to listen in on a JOEE lesson for children in Ukraine, here’s your chance. This month, in January, 2023, please join us at 8pm, Japan Standard Time, on Monday, Jan. 16, 23 and 30 for a fun, puppet-assisted online get-together. For adults joining, please keep your video and audio muted to let more children participate. This link will go live at 8pm on those three Mondays, Japan time, which is 1pm in Ukraine. You will need the passcode to enter the session:
Our first teachers were Annie and Lilian, followed by our most recent teacher, Tomoko who has now taught here since April of 2022. She has been assisted by our administrator, Hiroko, along with regular helpers, Jorge and Yushi and a special guest teacher, Chiyuki.
Tomoko has carefully-planned lessons every week that build on the previous week’s material. Her lessons incorporate games, singing, action, books and puppets to keep the children engaged and excited. The children at Chofu Gakuen love JOEE time!
Our JOEE teachers usually teach once a week at a children’s home on a regular schedule. When a regular teacher is unable to attend, other JOEE teachers may step in to substitute for that lesson. Our substitute teachers love meeting new children and enjoying the energy and enthusiasm that they bring to class time.
JOEE is active in several children’s homes in Tokyo including Chiba, one in Nagoya and one in Kobe. We are actively looking for more homes that would welcome free English lessons and we continue to train teacher volunteers. Contact us if you would like to help: ruth@joee.jp.
FUNDRAISING RIDE: Tomorrow at 7am sharp, off I go — SHUPPATSU — on a 500 kilometer fundraising ride with the Knights in White Lycra. Will I survive? I hope so… after over 1,600 kilometers of training rides and having climbed over 24,000 meters of mountains, I think I’m ready. I am part of a group of 38 cyclists pedaling from Tokyo to a children’s care facility in Kanazawa from June 9 to 12. Please consider sponsoring me! Here is the link to the fundraiser with instructions below for making sure that your sponsorship is attributed to JOEE:
Step 1: Click on link above (https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/kiwl-2022-events/ ) and find the following screen shown below.
Enter your donation amount and click on “Donate in honor”Choose “KIWL 2022 Events”
Step 2: Choose “No Card.” (This will allow you to dedicate your donation to JOEE.)
Choose “No Card”
Step 3: Fill in the details: “From,” “In Honor Of,” and “Message.” (Screenshot sample below….)
Fill in your details!
Step 4: Complete your donation and then share the information with a friend!
TRAINING: I have been training for this event for a couple of months while continuing to teach JOEE classes online and communicating with our JOEE teachers in Tokyo, Kobe and Nagoya. Hopefully, the ride will help to raise awareness of the struggles that many children face while raising funds to continue programs to educate and empower these youth. Here are some photos showing the training process which took place in the hilly terrain of Nagano where I currently live and work teaching and farming.
KIWL Sponsor JerseyMany kilometers in trainingUphillDownhillWater break by the lakeNever give up!
Motivation: Why am I doing this? To raise funds for two organizations that help valuable but neglected children reach their full potential and be able to lead happy and fulfilling lives. JOEE and YouMeWe are committed to helping kids who are growing up in orphanages and care homes in Japan where about 60,000 children are in need of protection and help. Many have been removed from their homes for their own health and protection. A few are in foster care programs but the vast majority are in larger institutions and group homes. Adoption rates in Japan are abysmally low and most of the children that enter the care system remain there for the rest of their childhood. These children deserve a bright future. Japan needs healthy and happy children and youth to thrive and live in this beautiful country.
Please Help: I hope that you will consider donating to JOEE, sharing our vision and even volunteering as a teacher or helper to make a positive difference in the lives of children in Japan. Email me for more details: Ruth@joee.jp . In Japanese email: Hiroko@joee.jp . Thank you for caring!
Compelling English lessons can be taught anywhere, but with young children, they can be especially effective when taught out-of-doors. JOEE classes are taught both indoors and out-of-doors at orphanages, but we are also giving lessons in and around Shinanomachi and in Iizuna in Nagano.
For several months, JOEE has been teaching lessons at a unique school on the slopes of Iizuna called “Green Hills Outdoor School.” Their curriculum is largely focused on the out-of-doors and our natural environment and it appears that children really thrive with this approach to teaching.
Follow a winding road up a hill in beautiful Iizuna, and you will find a jewel of a school tucked into the green arms of a forest. At “Green Hills School” in Nagano, Japan, a quiet revolution in education is percolating. Many lessons are conducted outdoors and children are encouraged to learn from their environment, ask important questions and be creative. This school is educating students who are learning to think for themselves and to value and protect nature.
I have been hired by Green Hills School to bring native-level English lessons to the students in the elementary division. My lessons use the JOEE curriculum, teaching basic English words and phrases and adapting to the level of the students being taught. I use puppets, books, games and songs to teach English language skills.
A few weeks ago, the students in grades 1 to 4 studied colors by enjoying a read-aloud “A Color of His Own” by Leo Lionni. They found colors on my I-Spy quilt and went on a scavenger hunt for colors. Our lesson ended with exuberant playtime as I made giant bubbles for the students. This week, we learned the words “Over,” “Under,” “Around” and “Between,” along with some other words. Students, with their puppets on their hands, went over a bench, under a table, and around some chairs as they experienced the words in English. Involving the whole body helps the children learn new words in a new language.
As I teach, I am impressed by the creativity and curiosity of the students here. They are eager to try new things. They work hard at correcting their pronunciation. They have fun learning. This is what school is supposed to be like. I am happy to be teaching English at such a lively school that honors the bright spirit of the child.
教えていると、生徒たちの創造性と好奇心に感銘を受けます。 生徒たちは新しいことを試すのに意欲的です。 自分の発音を直すのに一所懸命です。 学ぶことを楽しんでいます。 学校とは本来こうあるべきです。 このような、子供たちの輝く心を大切にする活気あふれる学校で英語を教えることができて私は幸せです。(Translation by Tom Eskildsen)
A few weeks ago, thanks to a donation by the Wesley Center and an additional donation by Folkmanis Puppets, a big box arrived from the States filled with eager, furry new teaching assistants for Joyful Opportunity English Education! Our new puppet friends couldn’t wait to meet their partners.
数週間前のウェズリーセンターからの寄付に加えてフォークマニス・パペットからの寄付のおかげで、大きな箱が米国から届きました！ その中にぎっしり詰め込んであったのは、JOEE (Joyful Opportunity English Education) のためにこれから働きたいと願っている、フサフサの毛がある、教師の新しいアシスタント達でした。沢山の新しいパペット人形達は、これから働くことになるパートナーに会うのを楽しみにしていました。
Folkmanis Puppets Travel to Japan
For the past couple of months, JOEE has been training new teachers. We are gearing up for the reopening of Japan in anticipation of more widespread vaccine availability. As of this writing, TEN new teachers are learning how to present JOEE lessons and how to use puppets to engage and delight young English learners in orphanages and care facilities. Hopefully by the end of summer or early autumn, we will be able to start new lessons in many new places.
JOEE teacher training shows participants the origins and philosophy of Joyful Opportunity English Education. Besides bringing joy into the lives of young children with weekly lessons, JOEE is also focused on their future. Learning English at a young age gives these kids the advantage of acquiring excellent pronunciation skills and builds the mental and emotional facility for learning language as their education progresses.
JOEE教師トレーニングでは、参加者にJOEE (Joyful Opportunity English Education) がどの様に始まったのか、またその哲学について学びます。 JOEEは毎週のレッスンを行い、児童の生活に喜びをもたらすだけでなく、彼らの将来にも焦点を当てています。幼い頃に英語を学ぶことは、子供たちに英語の母語話者に近い発音のスキルを習得するという利点を与え、彼らの言語教育が進むにつれて役立つだろうと考えられる、言語を学ぶための精神的および感情的な心構えを構築するというメリットをもたらします。
Anneliese and Silvia find voices for their teaching assistants
By meeting and interacting with English speakers of many different ethnicities, the children learn to be accepting of a wide variety of world inhabitants. Because personalities and attitudes form at a young age, this open-mindedness will work to their advantage when launching out into the greater world of work after they turn eighteen years old and exit the care institutions.
Our JOEE lessons dovetail nicely with the programs in computer and life skills and continuing English studies for older children that the nonprofit, YouMeWe offers. Our two organizations sometimes work in the same care facility. In these instances, a child can be studying English from the age of two all the way to the age of eighteen.
At the end of March this year, 2021, JOEE was invited by Matelda Starace of the Italian Embassy in Tokyo to participate in their Spring Bazaar. We were so pleased to participate in this outdoor event where every precaution was taken to make sure that, although we are still dealing with pandemic measures, everyone who attended could do so safely. Masks were worn at all times and only removed briefly, while outdoors, for a few quick photos.
JOEE set up a table amidst other vendors who were also raising money for worthy causes. We met many lovely people and exchanged contact information, promising to keep in touch. Matelda was very gracious, introducing us to new friends and contacts.
Matelda’s husband, the ambassador, mingled with the crowd and stopped to answer my questions about the fascinating array of bonsai that decorated the back veranda. I learned about a unique kind of wisteria that I had never seen before. Refreshments of sparkling beverages and delicious Italian pizza and tartlets were served.
Our donors were happy to receive thank you gifts of darling, knit kangaroo finger puppets. Each puppet has two little joeys tucked into its precisely knit little pouch. These puppets were made for us by a women’s cooperative in Mexico, so our fundraiser had a double impact. We are so thankful to Matelda for the invitation, and very grateful for all of the generous donations that we received throughout the day. If you would like to donate to JOEE, please go to the Global Giving link below:
With the help of many generous donors from two international schools in the Tokyo area, JOEE had the joy of bringing presents to all of the children residing in two large orphanages in the both the western and eastern areas of the metropolis.
The collection of gifts began in November at the Christian Academy in Japan where the elementary division collected sets of socks, children’s books, toys and Christmas gifts for every child at St. Francisco Children’s Home. The presents were packed into large bags expertly painted and decorated for the season. Then all forty-eight bags were somehow packed into the back of a small k-car and driven to the orphanages for distribution.
We were allowed into the orphanage where everyone was wearing masks for safety and the windows in a large room were kept open. Even though we could not sing out loud due to pandemic precautions, we were able to play some lively Christmas music and teach energetic dance movements which the children seemed to enjoy immensely.
A kamishibai presentation of the Christmas story followed and then the presents were handed out from the oldest to the youngest. A happy cacophony ensued as the children exclaimed with delight at their wonderful gifts. Several times, children would run up to us and exclaim, “This is exactly what I wanted! How did you know?” It was a very merry time for everyone and we stayed as long as we could.
A second orphanage, Nozomi no Ie, was eager to receive gifts at Christmas even though no outsiders could be permitted to enter the facility. With the help of more donations from CAJ and staff from The American School in Japan eagerly helping out as well, we were able to bring gifts for every child in that orphanage as well. West Tokyo Union Church in Mitaka delivered the gifts on the Sunday before Christmas and sang carols outside in the courtyard.
When people work together towards a positive goal, magical things happen. JOEE would like to thank all of the donors who generously gave to bring a Merry Christmas to the children of two homes in Tokyo who will hopefully be looking forward to a bright future and a Happy New Year.
Since JOEE’s goal is English education especially for those who cannot afford private lessons, we are posting English teaching videos to YouTube so that lively song and puppet-assisted lessons can be accessible to anyone.
“Miss Raku” and “Ruth-Sensei” have both created videos teaching basic English words. Please feel free to copy the links and share with friends; and encourage them to “Subscribe” to the YouTube channel which can be found by doing a search for “Ruth Gilmore Ingulsrud.”
