Photo By Sgt. Samantha Stoffregen | Task Force Aviation soldiers explain how a UH-60 Black Hawk operates to local Kosovo...... read more read more
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CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Every Sunday morning, Task Force Aviation provides waffles for the residents of Camp Bondsteel. In return, residents of Camp Bondsteel provide donations that go towards helping Kosovo students take the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
A surprise waited for Waffle House customers Sept. 1 when the students came to visit Camp Bondsteel.
"We wanted to see what was actually going on right here and how they're helping us to achieve our goals," said Rolina Domaneku, one of the students taking the TOEFL test.
U.S. Army Sgt. Joe Henderson, a crew chief flight instructor with the Florida National Guard and a native of Lakeland, Fla., said he was excited that everyone who volunteers with the Waffle House and makes donations got to meet the people who the donations help. He added it was good for the kids to be there as well.
"It's important for the kids to know they may see four or five of us during the week, but there's a lot of people here on Bondsteel that work [behind the scenes] and they don't get to see," Henderson said. "So this is an opportunity for the people here to get to interact with the kids and vice versa."
The TOEFL exam tests an individual's ability to use and understand English. According to the ETS.org website, the test is the most widely respected English-language test in the world, recognized by more than 9,000 colleges, universities and agencies in more than 130 countries.
"You may know English, but you can't prove it so this [acts] like a passport saying that you know English," explained Elona Gashei, another student who is preparing to take the TOEFL.
Gashei said the soldiers of TF Aviation and Camp Bondsteel are helping her experience a new adventure.
"[We're] meeting new, amazing people that are doing great things for us to improve our English and achieve goals in life," Gashei said.
Henderson explained that the TOEFL is mandatory to attend most English speaking colleges, but not all local students have the opportunity to take the test because of the cost. TF Aviation's Waffle House, which operates solely on donations, helps to offset some of those costs for those who otherwise might not be able to afford to take the test.
"It fosters a good relationship with the community and the kids are very appreciative," said Henderson. "We do the Waffle House to provide money to pay for their books, to pay for the exam, the bus on exam day, etc."
Domaneku said the exam provides an exciting chance to improve her English skills in both reading and writing and will help in applying for scholarships so that she can travel to Europe for her studies.
"That's a great opportunity that you guys offered us and we thank you so much," Domaneku said.
| Date Taken: | 09.06.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2013 08:25 |
| Story ID: | 113374 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Hometown: | LAKELAND, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 330 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, TOEFL students visit Waffle House, by SGT Samantha Stoffregen, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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