夕日
 |
| The Jiyu Gakuen Sky |
Monday Chapel with the entire Jiyu Gakuen students.
Jiyu Gakuen continued. . . .
Our second day at Jiyu Gakuen was very full and rewarding. It was an opportunity to get to know more of the students as well as share more of ourselves to them. We started off with College chapel singing Our God and Came to my Rescue. Christine then had the opportunity to read the scripture from Matthews and share her testimony. It was a touching account. Indeed, it is in our own story that we can enter into communion with those around us, even those from a different country.
After College chapel, we ran to our first period class. We all helped Mr. Hayashi teach a 7th grade class English. The energy in the Monday's class was overwhelming! All the kids were dressed in uniform with buzzed haircuts and a big smile. This morning's class was also interesting. The students split into several groups in which they practiced their English on us. Then, they took us around the campus to give us a tour in English. Our group decided to take us to the pig pen! I learned that here in Jiyu Gakuen, a big part of their mission is to develop leadership and responsible individuals. From an early age, the kids here learn to cook for themselves, clean for themselves, as well as take care of each other. The pigs that they showed us was actually taken care by them and were going to be used to feed the boy's department.
 |
Kids doing chores during their break! |
 |
| Middle School Class |
Our next project was to help Mrs. Jansen teach her 11th grade girls class English. It was overwhelming to go into an all girls department as there were lots of them in one class. There was also a high energy in the classroom. It was so interesting to interact with them. Each class we would give an introduction of who we are and then give the class an opportunity to ask us questions in English as well as answer our questions. We would also sing and teach them English songs. We sang songs ranging from Collide by Howie Day to worship songs by Hillsong called Came to my Rescue and From the Inside out. They learned quickly and had beautiful voices. For some of the english classes we broken into groups where the students engaged in conversation with us, and other times we would play games and do activities to practice their english in an engaging manner. Because of all the classes we were able to see and meet a plethora of students from Jiyu Gakuen, ranging from 7th-8th grade boys in the boys department, high school girls as well as the college students from their college department.
 |
| Kelly walking to class with the girl's awaiting her presence from the window. |
 |
| Lunch at the Girl's Department |
 |
| English Games with Barbara Suzuki |
 |
| 11th grade girl's class |
 |
| One of the classes we assisted! |
 |
| Outdoor shot of the class |
Zumba at the Girl's Department
The JG College Department
And then we met the college students . . . .
"The nail that sticks out gets hammered"-Japanese Proverb
And so the philosophy behind the uniformity, strict policies, mannerisms, and buzzed hair cuts. Many of the students are shy and quiet, not speaking until spoken to. There is an air of obedience in the name of efficiency and respect. A hierarchy and system that does not accept pride or disrespect. A level of morality that does not receive shame well.
From an early age the students here learn to obey. They are one part of a body. Their identity is in the whole. Individualism is a foreign concept here. Self-expression a useless commodity. The school is highly efficient, everyone watching out for each other, like an army of ants the students live.
Yet, there is a different air in the college department. Students with hair ranging from bright orange to yellow streaks and accessories and attire that mark their unique styles. The college department is a juxtaposition of the other departments, a place where we finally felt . . . free. This is where we were able to develop close friendships and be free to share and connect, the space that most embodied the very school's name. Freedom.
JiyuGakuen school website:
http://www.jiyu.ac.jp/
