By Ruth Gilmore Ingulsrud | Founding Director of JOEE.jp
Thanks to many JOEE volunteers and donors, Christmas was joyfully celebrated in several children’s care homes in Japan. Children received presents that were selected and wrapped just for them, and they celebrated Christmas with parties that included music and games and stories.
English lessons taught by volunteers who hail from many different countries continue to enrich the lives of children growing up in orphanages. These lessons provide the children with a joyful language learning experience and give them an educational boost. They benefit by being able to meet and interact with lovely, kind volunteers of many ethnicities and they are encouraged to use their beginning English skills to communicate with people and engaging puppets during their lessons.
At the request of the orphanages, JOEE has begun providing one-on-one English online tutoring for some high-schoolers who are studying hard, hoping to find good jobs in the tourist industry and other areas. One of our students was encouraged to apply for college and was accepted! His JOEE tutors will continue to support him as he begins his journey towards a degree and a promising future.
Our weekly English lessons via Zoom continue for the children of Ukraine. We are partnering with the NPO, SmartOsvita in Ukraine and up to 50 children at a time log on to enjoy an hour of playful puppet banter. The live interactions and show-and-tell with each other along with energetic songs and dances provide the children with a welcome respite from the grim reality of an extended war in their country.
JOEE still needs volunteer teachers and people who can introduce and connect us with new orphanages. Funding and generous donors are essential in keeping our programs going and growing. Thank you for your compassion in sharing your resources and talents with us and with the at-risk children of Japan. 2024 will be a wonderful year for JOEE, thanks to you!
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