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。

Things Are Hopping with JOEE at Chofugakuen

Wonderful things are happening at Chofugakuen, a newly renovated children’s care facility in Chofu, located in the western part of Tokyo.

 東京都の西に位置する調布市にある新しく改装された児童養護施設「調布学園」で、素晴らしいことが起きています。


JOEE lessons started out here in November of 2021 with trained JOEE teachers bringing music and games to the children while teaching English.

2021年11月、ここでJOEEのレッスンが始まりました。研修を受けたJOEEの先生たちが、子どもたちに音楽やゲームを届けながら英語を教えています。

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.

最初の講師はAnnieさんとLilianさんで、その後、2022年4月からTomokoさんが講師を務めています。そして、管理者のHirokoさん、ヘルパーのJorgeさんとYushiさん、特別ゲスト講師のChiyukiさんがサポートをしています。


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!

Tomoko先生は毎週、前の週の内容に基づいて丁寧に計画されたレッスンを行っています。 彼女のレッスンには、ゲーム、歌、アクション、本、パペットが組み込まれており、子供たちの心をひきつけ、ワクワク感を高めています。 調布学園の子どもたちはJOEEの時間が大好き!


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の先生は、通常週1回、定期的に児童養護施で教えています。正規の先生が出られないときは、他のJOEEの先生が代講をすることもあります。代理の先生たちは、新しい子どもたちと出会い、子どもたちのエネルギーと熱意を感じながら授業をするのが大好きです。

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.

JOEEは、千葉を含む首都圏のいくつかの児童養護施設、名古屋の1施設、神戸の1施設で活動しています。無料の英語レッスンを受け入れてくれる施設をさらに積極的に探し、講師ボランティアの育成を続けています。ご協力いただける方は、ruth@joee.jp までご連絡ください。

Please donate by clicking on the “DONATE TO JOEE” button in the JOEE website: https://joee.jp

JOEEのウェブサイトの「DONATE TO JOEE」ボタンをクリックして寄付してください:https://joee.jp

Thank you for your support! ご支援いただきありがとうございます!

A Lesson at St. Joseph’s

2019.07.03

Prior to the start of the summer of 2019, Ruth, Hiroko and I were able to schedule a lesson at St. Joseph’s Orphanage which would be open to preschool, kindergarten and lower grade elementary school children.  Armed with puppets, picture books, snacks, and prayer we waited expectantly for the kids to arrive. The staff there would like the program to be open to whomever would like to attend, so we weren’t sure how many children or what ages would participate.

Statue of Saint Joseph at the Children’s Home

At first, two elementary-age girls arrived.  It was lovely to meet them, but they left giggling at our silly dancing and opening song.  The clock was ticking our lesson minutes away, but finally, slightly damp and smelling of soap bubbles, a nice group of kindergarten-age children and their caretakers arrived!  Little feet carried them into the room and we began the “ball” lesson.

Ruth was the main teacher and led the lesson with her gentle grace and sweet voice.  Lots of giggles, happy faces, and great participation followed. Hiroko and I sat with warm children in our laps, little hands holding our own.  One boy in particular kept coming to my lap and seemed to really enjoy being with me. I prayed for him and all of his friends quietly in my heart as we all practiced “ball” and Ruth passed out animal shaped cookies.  “Please!” “Thank you!” Little voices filled the air with English. We acted out a story using puppets and sound effects, and I was able to reprise my role as “the snake” for “Can I Play Too?”

At the end of the lesson, we thanked the orphanage director for her hospitality.  We are praying that she will be happy with our program and invite us back.

— Raku