38. ADA volunteers socialize with residents of a Japanese children’s home while eating ice cream | Article

SAGAMIHARA, Japan — More than a dozen soldiers hosted an ice cream party at a local children’s home Wednesday to help residents escape the summer heat while giving them a chance to socialize with one another.

At the event, volunteers from the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade served about 30 children tubs of ice cream in a variety of flavors. The children were also able to decorate their frozen treats with toppings such as chocolate syrup and sprinkles.

Cpl. Jamilla Harris, the brigade’s volunteer coordinator, organized the event at the Sagamihara Minami Children’s Home near Camp Zama.

“We are here to strengthen relationships and morale in the local community,” she said. “We enjoy coming and engaging with the children. We believe this is the best way to make a difference in our community and the children love sweets too.”

The ongoing partnership between the U.S. Army and the children’s home is designed to benefit both organizations. This year, the children were invited to Camp Zama for two different events, including a mini Olympics at the youth center and a dodgeball tournament at the Yano Fitness Center, where they competed alongside volunteers in friendly competitions.

As the children lined up and waited to get ice cream, the soldiers greeted them and chatted with them, filling the activity room at the children’s home with laughter and youthful energy.

Harris said it was the first time her unit had hosted such an event at the home, adding that it was a great opportunity for the soldiers to bond with the children.

“I think it’s different when you’re in the schools and in the orphanages,” she said of the opportunity for in-person visits. “You actually see the children and get a sense of how they grow up, what they experience and what they like to do.”

The simple but meaningful gesture of giving the children a little something sparked conversations between the soldiers and the children, as many of them bonded over shared interests. For example, some of the volunteers showed the children their drawing talent, which quickly caught their attention and prompted them to draw something themselves.

Spc. Christian Lewis, a first-time volunteer at the children’s home who recently arrived in Japan, decided to sign up for the event after hearing other volunteers talk about their previous positive experiences.

“This event is an opportunity to serve the community in Japan,” he said.

For the children of the home, who are currently on summer vacation, the visit was a welcome event, said Shinji Saeki, an employee of the home.

“We want to offer more fun activities and experiences for the children,” Saeki said. “So we are really grateful to the volunteers who come and spend time with them.”

Saeki said any interaction the children can have at the home, especially with non-Japanese visitors such as U.S. soldiers, is beneficial to them. Through the visits, they can learn about different cultures, professions and hobbies, he said.

The mix of Japanese and English heard during the event reflected an international environment, with both parties striving to communicate in their respective native languages.

Many of the children and soldiers loved anime and discussed different shows and characters. Other groups played mobile chess and tic-tac-toe.

“It’s a wonderful thing to come together,” Harris said. “It makes me feel like I’m actually making a difference.”

(Editor’s note: This article was written by Sakura Ala, who works in the U.S. Army Garrison Japan’s Office of Public Affairs as part of an annual summer internship program for Japanese college students.)

Related Links:

News from the US Army Garrison Japan

Official website of USAG Japan