Photo By Cpl. Matt Myers | Petty Officer 3rd Class Devante S. Tiller, left, runs from a child during a game of...... read more read more
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NAMISATO DISTRICT DAYCARE, OKINAWA, Japan – Marines and sailors with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, visited the Namisato District Daycare located near Camp Hansen Aug. 14 as part of a community outreach program.
The community outreach program pairs Marine Corps units on Camp Hansen with a daycare or school in the community, allowing them to interact with local children.
During the visit, the service members entertained and educated the children through dancing, singing and teaching English.
The visit started with the kids and the Marines singing and dancing to the song “Heads, shoulders, knees, and toes.” To ensure the children gained educational value, the singer would purposely signal to a different body part than the lyrics. As a result of the fun teaching tool, the children realized what was happening and began to understand the correlation between the word and body part.
“It is great because they get to learn English in a fun way that lets them play and interact with the Marines,” said Takayuki Kayo, the community relations specialist for Camp Hansen.
A game of “Duck, Duck, Goose” followed the sing-along. The service members laughed and spoke with the children, teaching them phrases and words in English.
Coming out to the daycare and teaching the children English has many benefits for the children and service members, according to Kayo.
“We are creating lasting friendships and memories with the children,” said Kayo, an Okinawa City, Okinawa, native. “The children do not get to spend any time with service members they see out in their community. This event lets them know (Marines) are here to help.”
As the visit neared its end, the children gave the service members origami gifts and sang a popular Japanese song which left both groups smiling and laughing.
“My favorite part was getting to positively impact these little kids,” said Lance Cpl. Theerawat Charusiripremsakun, a Bangkok, Thailand, native and an engineer equipment operator with 9th ESB, 3rd MLG, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “They all look up to us because we’re older and seem so different to them. Getting to play with them and do something significant, like teach them English, leaves you feeling really good.”
For the service members who participated, it was an important lesson in foreign relations and an experience they will not likely forget, according to Lance Cpl. David W. Burch, a heavy equipment operator with 9th ESB.
“This was a great experience, not just for the kids but for the (service members) as well because we learned a lot about their culture by teaching them and spending time with them,” said Burch, a Keedysville, Maryland, native. “We’re all ambassadors in Okinawa, so the more we can learn and be aware of the culture, the closer we can get to them and (be a part of) their community.”
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.05.2014 02:59 |
| Story ID: | 141210 |
| Location: | OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | BANGKOK, TH |
| Hometown: | KEEDYSVILLE, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 113 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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