Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan -- Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni residents visited Josho Hoikuen preschool in Iwakuni City, Japan, May 15, 2018.
Volunteers taught basic English, sang and played games with the children.
Staff from the Marine Memorial Chapel led the event, and spent their morning with the students, both in the classroom and on the playground.
“These visits started 13 years ago,” said Noriko Yamada, an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “MCAS Iwakuni representatives visited Iwakuni City’s city hall and asked what we can do in the community, and they said that schools want us to come and give them basic English classes. We came back on base and gathered volunteers, and now we visit schools every month.”
The chapel staff heads events at a local school four times per month. The events teach students English skills and share American culture with the students.
Ayako Harada, a teacher at Josho Hoikuen preschool, said that it is a good opportunity for the students to learn new things about the English language and to experience new cultures.
The students were given the chance to learn from native English speakers through geography, numbers, and songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,” and “Happy Birthday.” The volunteers also got to work with kids and represent MCAS Iwakuni in the community.
“It’s a great opportunity to strengthen relations between MCAS Iwakuni and the local community,” said U.S. Navy Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 3rd Class Deja Jenkins with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron.