The Best Reward

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.

なぜ私たちはこんなことをするのでしょうか?JOEEの国際ボランティアにとって、英語を学びながら遊んだり、踊ったり、歌ったりする子どもたちの嬉しそうな顔を見ることが一番のやりがいです。英語が話せるようになり、様々な文化の人々と交流できるようになることは、将来、彼らが成長し、日本社会で仕事を探す際に役立つ重要なスキルです。

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.”

JOEEが日本の児童養護施設で英語のレッスンを始めてから、もうすぐ6年になります。JOEEのボランティア教師たちは、熱心な子どもたちとつながり、子どもたちが学び成長していく姿を見守りながら、多くの有意義で心温まる思い出を積み重ねてきました。もちろんボランティア活動はそれ自体とても報われることですが、最近、JOEEは東京の繁華街で開催された 「もちフェス 」というイベントで表彰もされました。

“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.”

“もちフェス”は日本児童養護施設財団が主催する毎年恒例のイベント。今年はJOEEもブースを出展し、パンフレットを配布することになりました。2月6日、元気いっぱいのJOEEボランティアたちが渋谷公会堂に集合し、「JOEEを世界に広める」準備を整えました。

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.

JOEE.jpのウェブサイトと、イラストレーターの きたむらさとしさんがデザインしたカンガルーのロゴ(joeyはカンガルーの赤ちゃん)をプリントした水色のブレスレットを配布。300人以上の老若男女がブースに立ち寄り、その多くが、ひつじのメ~グミに会い、私たちが保護施設で育つ子供たちと行っている活動について話を聞いてくれました。

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.

その後、児童養護施設の子どもたちの生活に良い変化をもたらしている10の団体を紹介するコンサートとプログラムの中で、JOEEは他のNPOとともにステージに呼ばれ、有名なサッカー選手である川澄奈穂美さんのサイン入りの黄金のサッカーボールとともに額入りの賞を受け取りました。


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.

このイベントで最も良かったことは、日本にこれほど多くの児童養護施設があることを知らなかった多くの人々が、その存在を知ったことです。保護施設にいる何万人もの子どもたちのことを知らなかった多くの人たちが、今、このような子どもたちがいて、援助と支援を必要としていることを知りました。問題の存在を知ることは、解決策を見つけるための第一歩です。

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.

JOEEのボランティアは、児童養護施設に預けられた子どもたちのために時間をかけ、心を分かち合います。彼らは傷つけられ、放置された環境から引き離され、18歳になるまで衣食住を与えられ、養育されるケアホームに入ります。JOEEのレッスンを手伝ってくれる心優しい人たちは、明るい未来を手に入れるのに値する子どもたちと一緒にいられることが最大の報いだと知っています。最高の報いとは、愛を分かち合えることなのです。

JOEE at the Italian Embassy

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.

今年(2021年)3月の終わりに、東京のイタリア大使館で行われたマテルダ・スタラーチェにお招きいただき、大使館の春のバザーに参加しました。パンデミックのための対策がしっかりとられた屋外でのイベントに安全に参加できたことは私達にとって大きな喜びでした。屋外での活動でのはありましたが、もちろんマスクの着用は必須です。写真をとったほんの一瞬だけはマスクをはずしましたが。

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.

他の販売団体に交じって、ファンドレイジングをしました。多くの素敵な出会いがあり、連絡先を交換し、また御連絡しますと約束しました。マテルダさんのご厚意で、多くの方々にご紹介いただきました。

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.

マテルダさんのご主人は在日本イタリア大使です。奥のベランダにずらりと並んだすばらしい盆栽の列について私が質問すると、他の方々と話ししておられたのにわざわざ立ち止まって答えてくださいました。この日、見たことのない藤についていろいろ知りました。炭酸飲料や美味しいイタリアのピザ、タルトレットなどが振る舞われました。

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:

ご寄付いただいた方には編んだカンガルーの指人形をお送りし、喜んでいただきました。それぞれの人形には細かく編まれたポケットの中にカンガルーの赤ちゃんが2匹はいっています。このお人形は、メキシコにある協力団体の女性達が編んだもので、JOEEを通して、途上国の女性支援と日本の子ども達の支援二つの支援につながっていることをお伝えするものでもあります。マテルダさんにはご招待いただいたことと、当日皆様から頂戴した多額なご寄付に、心から感謝しています。
JOEEへのご寄付をお考えいただけるようでしたら, ぜひ下のリンクをご利用ください。

Free English Lessons Online

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.

JOEEの目標は英語教育ですが、特に個人レッスンを受けたくても金銭的な余裕がないお子さん達の為にお役に立ちたいと思っております。誰でも視聴できる様に生き生きとした歌や人形を使っての英語レッスンのビデオをユーチューブに載せる予定です。

“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.”

「ミス・ラク」と「ルース先生」は 英語の基本的な言葉を教えるためのビデオを制作いたしました。リンクをコピーしてお友達とシェアすることは自由です。その際はユーチューブを使って「Ruth Gilmore Ingulsrud」で検索していただき、チャンネル登録をしていただく様にお伝えください。

Here are some links to the lessons. JOEE lesson 1 teaches the words – “Ball, Throw, Catch, Me and You.” Enjoy and share!

下記のリンクでレッスンを視聴できます。 JOEEレッスン1では「Ball, Throw, Catch, Me and You」という言葉を学びます。お楽しみください!またお友達にシェアしてください!

JOEE Lesson 2 teaches the words – “Up, Down, Around, Over, Under.”

JOEEレッスン2では、「Up, Down, Around, Over, Under」という言葉を学びます。

A special JOEE lesson for Halloween teaches the words – “Pumpkin, Cut, Eyes, Nose, Mouth.”

ハロウィンの特別なJOEEレッスンでは、「Pumpkin, Cut, Eyes, Nose, Mouth」の言葉を学びます。

Miss Raku’s lessons include more Japanese but do a great job of teaching basic English words. Here’s a lesson on the words – “Big and Small.”

「ミス・ラク」のレッスンでは、日本語も少し混ざりますが、基本的な英語の言葉をしっかりと教えます。このレッスンでは「Big and Small」の言葉を学びます。

Miss Raku teaches “Hot, Cold and Splash.”

「ミス・ラク」は「Hot, Cold and Splash」を教えます。

Here’s a Halloween lesson with a fun song about 5 Little Pumpkins.

ハロウィンの楽しい5つの小さなかぼちゃについての歌はこちらです。

Thank you for watching! Please support more JOEE lessons by clicking on the GlobalGiving donation link below:

ご視聴くださり、ありがとうございます。どうぞこの下にあるGlobalGiving 寄付についてのリンクをクリックしてください。

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/youmewe-collaboration-with-joee/

Hot Dog! Youthful Donors!

Our summer fundraising efforts were given a delightful boost by an unexpected donation from a couple of youthful philanthropists. Oliver and Jun spent part of their summer hawking hot dogs at a small lakeside stand. As hot doggers, they are not paid for their time, but they are allowed to keep any “tips” that end up in the tip jar on the counter. When the clink of coin is heard in the jar, a cheer goes up from the busy staff inside the hot dog stand. “Yay! Thank you! Domo arigatou gozaimasu!”

This year, JOEE would like to give a rousing cheer right back at them, because instead of keeping their tips and buying some cold “ramune” soda or other delicious summer treats, these two young gentlemen decided to donate ALL of their tips to JOEE, to help support educational programs for kids without parents in institutional homes. Needless to say, the parents of these two kind souls are cheering for them as well.

Thank you very much, Jun and Oliver! Your generous bag of change will help create positive change for many kids this year. JOEE welcomes any donation, large or small, and we are so encouraged by seeing generous hearts and habits develop at such a young age. Hot diggity dog!

If you would still like to donate to JOEE, the Global Giving Fundraiser is still up and running and can be accessed by clicking on the following link:

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/youmewe-collaboration-with-joee/
Thank you for your generous donation!

Our First Online Fundraiser!

Mid-July, JOEE launched our first public fundraiser with the help of another NPO that does great work with orphanages around the world, including many here in Japan: YouMeWe NPO, headed up by Michael Clemons. We had been volunteering at the same children’s home in Ota-ku for several months before Michael and I finally managed to meet. He ran a class with the older children on Mondays for computer skills, and I met with the younger children on Thursdays and Fridays for JOEE language lessons. He had been wondering where the younger kids had been learning those new words in English. Our work had been mutually supportive.

Lion Online!

We discovered that we had many goals in common and that our two nonprofits could help each other as we developed programs for the youth in institutionalized care. YouMeWe helped to connect JOEE with the GlobalGiving program just in time to be launched with their matching donations program.

On Wednesday, July 15 at 10 pm Japan Time (9 am Eastern Time in the US), the Global Giving Bonus Day began. Donations of $100 up to $1,000 were matched with percentage funds that went from 15% up to 50% for the highest level of gifts (from $750 to $1,000). The fund drive began with the blessing of one $36 donation and then it took off! Donations of all amounts are adding up. It looks like we might reach our goal of raising $5,000 in donations by the end of the month.

Continue reading Our First Online Fundraiser!

I Spy… a JOEE Quilt!

A warm and heartfelt THANK YOU to Julie Fukuda, master quilter, who donated this amazing hand-stitched quilt to JOEE this month. Wow! We are so grateful and we have so many plans for using this wonderful quilt during our lessons once they start up again.

This quilt is an “I Spy” quilt, bursting with beautiful fabrics showing lots of objects that can be found and named. The quilt calls to mind the traditional game of observation. “I spy with my little eye… ” This quilt will be perfect for teaching English words to young children. “Where is a cat? There it is! Find an owl. Yes, you found it! Can you find the kangaroos? There they are on each of the corners!”

Sewn into the back of the quilt is a little pocket containing two bean bags for use in more creative games. I can’t wait to use this colorful language learning tool. The JOEE kids at the orphanages are going to LOVE it!