SAGAMIHARA, Japan – The American children’s games were synonymous with having fun, but to a handful of Japanese students learning English, they also served as a unique learning lesson.
Five Soldiers assigned to the 623rd Movement Control Team, which falls under the 35th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, played games with the students Wednesday afternoon at the Sagamihara Shiritsu Oyama Community Center, located next to Sagami General Depot.
The volunteer opportunity allowed 2nd Lt. Sarina Baugher, a movement control officer, to bring four of her Soldiers to the center, where they taught seven students how to play Simon Says, Pictionary, and Red Light, Green Light.
Baugher previously reached out to the public affairs specialist at the U.S. Army depot to find an organization interested in having Soldiers assist them. The community center agreed to open up one of its rooms and allow the Soldiers to teach students from the nearby Koyo and Fuchinobe elementary schools.
“I believe my Soldiers would like the opportunity to go out and do more than just be confined to the Army community,” Baugher said. “So any opportunity that we, as leaders, can give them to go out into the greater community is a good one.”
At the start of the event, Soldiers greeted the students with a taste of America as they handed out cookies, potato chips and goodie bags with candies brought from the commissary. The Soldiers then briefly introduced themselves, followed by the students sharing their names in English.
While the children seemed shy at first with the new experience, the excitement and giggles intensified as they caught on to playing Simon Says.
Hinata Yagi, a 10-year-old Japanese student, won one of the games and was given a U.S. flag uniform patch as a prize.
“I never met any Americans before, so it was my first time,” Hinata said afterward. “Now I know what Americans are like.”
Hinata, who enjoyed the game of Pictionary the most, said she also liked the chance to practice English with native speakers outside her normal classroom setting.
“Learning English can help me be more experienced, and I’ll be able to talk to other people from different countries,” she said of why she wants to learn the language.
The Soldiers, who also included Spcs. AnnaMarie Popoca and Lindsey Ruiz, and Pfcs. Michelle Antonio and Isabel Pacheco, appreciated the positive interaction they had with the children.
“It brings your spirits up playing with kids,” said Ruiz, a transportation management coordinator. “And it’s something different, instead of doing the same thing every day.”
Ruiz, who has previously volunteered to assist young students while deployed to Poland, jumped at the chance to give back to another community. In the near future, she said she hopes to help organize larger events supporting local children while stationed in Japan.
Judging by the faces on the children in the latest event, it could be worthwhile.
“I really do think so,” Ruiz said when asked if she thought the students had fun. “You saw a lot of smiles, and I’m really hoping that they enjoyed our goodie bags and everything else.”
Related links:
Social Sharing