Service Learning
American School in Japan English Playground Service Program for Fukushima Evacuees >>
On March 11, 2011 the Tohoku region of Japan was stricken with the triple disasters of mega earthquake, giant tsunami and nuclear catastrophe. In the immediate aftermath of these momentous events, students, staff and parents of The American School in Japan began a series of short-term relief efforts ranging from mud removal and gutter cleaning to feeding hot meals to thousands of evacuees. In addition to these short-term efforts was one long-term program that we call English Playground that still continues today. The English Playground volunteer program began in May of 2011, approximately two months after the March 11th disasters. The nuclear disaster in Fukushima forced the Japanese government to evacuate families living near the damaged nuclear reactors. Many of these families were evacuated to Tokyo for a yet-to-be-determined period of time. This has not been a smooth transition for most families, and the children, in particular, have had a difficult time adjusting to the drastic changes in their lives. Many have even refused to attend their new school or associate with their new neighbors. The plight of the evacuee children was brought to the attention of ASIJ students in the National Honor Society (NHS) and Community Oriented Student Action (COSA) groups by ASIJ parent Hsien Wang. In conjunction with a local NPO and under the guidance of high school Assistant Principal Nancy Kroonenberg, the students developed and continue to run the English Playground program for close to 30 elementary children evacuated to Tokyo from Fukushima. The English Playground program meets on Saturday mornings and involves between 10 and 15 volunteers who plan and implement a 90-minute program of English education and socialization for the Fukushima children. One primary purpose of the program is to give the kids from Fukushima a place where they can feel comfortable and safe. The English Playground program has become a place where they can release the stress of having had to abandon their old lives and start new ones in Tokyo as well as enjoy the opportunity to develop an interest in learning English. In addition to the weekly meetings, ASIJ student leaders also organize special events, such as 30 EARCOS Triannual Journal
trick or treating, Christmas parties and an English speaking summer camp experience. The English Playground program has been a wonderful learning experience for the ASIJ students involved. On top of becoming role models for the Fukushima kids, the ASIJ students have had to take on the weekly responsibility and challenges of planning and organizing lessons, and have learned to understand and deal with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on the Fukushima children. Why do ASIJ students continue with this program every Saturday morning? ASIJ senior Saki Uwagawa’s answer: “Because we care. The community extends beyond the immediate surroundings of family, school and neighborhood.” Taichi Nishiwaki, one of the leaders of the program, states: “ASIJ students are privileged. We recognize that. After 3/11, especially, I think a lot of us felt a sense of responsibility, a need to do something to help the country we live in. Going up to Tohoku to shovel dirt out of people’s demolished homes is great volunteer work, but we can also make a difference by doing things within our power. There’s significance in the little things like reading Curious George and playing charades with second graders that may not seem like community service but serves our community in a way that is really needed.” Doing one’s part in a community is important, and the English Playground program gives ASIJ students hands on opportunity to learn about and see the importance of volunteering. Lia Camargo – ASIJ senior Tim Thornton – Deputy Head of School
