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NAHA, Japan – Thirty-one volunteers with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group joined with volunteers from an Okinawan college to teach elementary and junior high school students English and about Thanksgiving at a language fair at Gakugo Center in Naha, Nov. 10.
The volunteers met with the students for four hours, teaching them about American culture and the English language by singing songs, playing games and holding individual sessions with the students.
"The language barrier made teaching them a little difficult, but everyone seemed to have fun," said Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Newman, one of the coordinators for the event. "It was very rewarding and I really enjoyed teaching the children about my own culture, and I was surprised how quickly they learned."
With about 40 volunteers between the service members and the college students there were enough to meet with each child individually, which helped the volunteers to bond with the children and give them a better lesson.
"Working with the children individually was awkward at first, but after creating the initial bond, teaching them was really easy. It was like teaching your little brother," said Lance Cpl. Dustin S. Richard, a volunteer with CLR-37. "I had a blast working with the children and I am definitely looking forward to doing it again."
Col. Thomas Gorry, camp commander of Camp Kinser, made an appearance at the event to thank the volunteers. He said that it was a pleasure to see the Marines so engaged with the Okinawa students, and that the students seemed to have fun learning and playing games.
Sgt. Cody Perry, a coordinator for the event, said it was the first time CLR-37 participated in the event, but they plan to continue volunteering in an effort to foster good relations between American service members and Okinawans.
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2007 20:00 |
| Story ID: | 14000 |
| Location: | NAHA, ID |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 10 |
This work, Combat Logistics Regiment 37 Marines, sailors teach Okinawan students English language, culture, by LCpl Daniel Todd, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
