BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Service members at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan are volunteering the little downtime they have at the Cat in the Hat Language Arts Center to teach local Afghan children basic elementary subjects.
The Center gives the children an educational atmosphere once a week and after nine months, the students graduate from the program.
“The best part of volunteering with this particular program is knowing I can make a difference in a child’s life,” said Sgt. Yadira Newton, sustainment automations support management office noncommissioned officer, Task Force Durable. “The children are just so happy and eager to learn new things and to be a part of the program.”
Aging from 6 to 10 years old, Afghan children attend class on Bagram Air Field where service members teach subjects ranging from the English alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors, writing, pronunciation and math.
According to Master Sgt. Belinda Taylor, operation and plans noncommissioned officer in charge, TF Durable, volunteering gives her the privilege of learning from the children and what their education system is like in their local community.
“I volunteer to learn more about the Afghan culture and their way of life, through the children,” said Taylor, who volunteers twice a week. “The joy and excitement on their faces when they accomplish a math problem, write a word or pronounce a word correctly is one thing that stands out and I will remember when I leave Afghanistan.”
Taylor and Newton both said they believe service members and the Afghan children mutually benefit from the Cat in the Hat Program.
“I feel that this program benefits service members because it gives us a chance to learn firsthand about the local culture,” said Newton, a native of Colorado. “I have learned so much in the few times I have gone. I think this program benefits the children because it gives them an opportunity to learn new things. Sometimes the children also get things they need such as coats, gloves, socks and shoes.”
“It’s a chance to learn firsthand about a culture that is usually seen on TV, newspaper articles and briefings,” said Taylor. “You can feel and understand what life is like for the children; possibly what their future holds; what struggles they may face, and truly appreciate how brave their parents are in allowing them to attend the Language Arts Center.”
The program was established in 2011 following the request of local elders and in keeping with the Afghan culture, girls and boys attend class separately.
Despite the drastic cultural differences between American forces and the Afghans, Newton said the only challenge she encounters is the language barrier.
“Most of the kids speak English but they ask me questions in their native language and I just look at them and smile,” she said.
“Afghan children typically don’t know the date of their birth but just know every calendar year they are one year older,” said Capt. Kymberly Koenig, TF Durable public affairs officer and volunteer. “In order to celebrate each child’s birthday, volunteers coordinated together and planned a birthday party for the students.”
Koenig said volunteers donated items like a piñata, birthday cake, birthday party hats and noise-makers. After eating a traditional Afghan meal, the children had birthday cake and played games like pin the tail on the donkey.
Taylor, who has served for 19 years, added, “I think they find us interesting. There are always smiles on their faces when they enter the classroom. They seem to be very excited and enthused to be at the Language Arts Center. A couple of children I have worked with are fascinated with my writing pens and the way that my bun (my hair) sits on the back of my head.”
The Cat in the Hat Language Arts Center depends solely on volunteers and donations. From the bus that picks up the children to the plastic numbers and letters they use for learning, everything is either donated or purchased by volunteers.
“It has been a wonderful experience and I am happy that I had the opportunity to learn, teach and befriend many of the children at the Cat In the Hat Language Arts Center,” said Taylor.
| Date Taken: | 02.14.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2013 00:40 |
| Story ID: | 102056 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 107 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Service members empower Afghan children through education, by SSG V. Michelle Woods, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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