YOKOSUKA, Japan - Girls from American Girl Scouts of Yokosuka Brownie Troop 16, located onboard Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, spent the morning of April 27 visiting foster children from Yokosuka’s Shirakaba House for Children.
The visit was organized by Brownie Troop Leader Linda Meo, in conjunction with the city of Yokosuka, and Shirakaba House.
“I was able to meet with the head of the Yokosuka City child development department,” Meo said. “I asked her which orphanages would like to have some donations and she mentioned that this new orphanage had been built and that no one was helping them yet. I wanted to help these children and our troop decided to make donations to this orphanage. This is our second year working with them and I hope we will be able to help them in any way possible in the future.”
Toshiaki Aoki, principal of Shirakaba House, greeted the Brownies and gave them a tour of their facilities and explained to them the mission of the home.
“It was a pleasure having the Girl Scouts visit us today,” Aoki said. “Every child was happy to see them.”
According to Shirakaba House officials, the home is a short-term foster care facility for children ages newborn to 18. They provide a safe environment for troubled children who’ve been temporarily removed from their home by social services. They also train parents how to be good parents so their children can return home.
Meo said the visit was a good learning experience for her Brownie troop.
“I asked them that after we parted and they asked me many questions about the children and the people at the orphanage,” said Meo. “I really think it was an excellent chance to see life in a different way and it sparked their curiosity.”
According to Meo, the Brownies donated beef, pork, dinner rolls and candy for the home’s children.
To find out more about Brownie Troop 16, visit http://www.westpacificgirlscouts.org on the web or email them directly at: yokosukagirlscouts16@gmail.com.