MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Along with their families and friends, Marines from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 visited Tsuda Children’s Home in Hatsukaichi City Saturday.
It was the first visit the group of more than 15 station residents made to interact with the home’s 29 young residents who are mostly victims of abuse, neglect at home or are orphans.
Tchaikawsky E. Samuels, 414 and 413 power plant work sections noncommissioned officer-in-charge and native of Brooklyn, N.Y., coordinated the event with the help of friends and family and threw a party together for the children, bringing along toys, blankets and snacks.
“I like to help out kids who are (less fortunate) because I know it means a lot to them,” said Samuels. “I’m doing this because I remember when the fireman or military (member) would come and play with us.”
Midori Fujiwara, Tsuda Children’s Home assistant supervisor and native of Hiroshima City, explained the children were thrilled to know they were having a party.
“While we were having them wait (to go outside) they were exited, anticipating to meet (the visitors),” said Fujiwara.
The day started-off with lunch as rows of cheese, sausage and pepperoni-topped pizzas were set out under a patio next to the children’s playground. The youngsters inspected the toppings on the pizzas then formed a line to get slices.
“The cheese pizza was delicious,” said Ayumi Oda, a 17-year-old Tsuda Children’s Home resident and native of Hiroshima.
After lunch the children teamed with the visitors to compete in a sports and math tournament. They played volleyball, competed in tug-of-war battles and did math worksheets. They were also handed raffle tickets for a chance to win a toy.
During the games the children checked their tickets as numbers were announced in hopes to get a toy.
“I know I am going to win a gift,” predicted Teraoka Shota, 15-year-old Tsuda Children’s Home resident and a native of Hiroshima, who later won a blue yo-yo.
The visitors were also having a fun time as team leaders during the competitions.
“It’s going pretty well, we’re having a good time,” said Sgt. Jerrami D. Jones, MALS-12 test cell operator and New Orleans native. “I’m enjoying playing with the kids and getting outside my bubble for a little while.”
Jones said it was his first orphanage visit but not his last. He plans to participate in more orphanage visits to give service members a good name in the community.
At the end of the tournament it didn’t matter who won first place, all were awarded with a medal or ribbon, and children who had not won a prize picked through the remaining toys.
Fujiwara said she is looking forward to a future visit because of how much fun they had.
“When they were eating they were just staying with who they knew but when they started playing games and mixed (with their visitors) they had fun,” added Fujiwara.
“I think that how you treat children … will reflect how they act as adults,” said Samuels. “If you show them that you care and it’s important to do good things for others, they will carry that in to their adult life.”