Photo By Lance Cpl. Peter Sanders | Cpl. Jordan D. Arneson teaches students about worms at the Nago Sakura Nursery School...... read more read more
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NAGO, Japan – The classrooms at Sakura Nursery School in Nago bustle with the sounds of children singing and laughing, as Marines assigned to Camp Schwab arrive to assist teachers with late-morning English and outdoor lessons.
A group of Marines with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, took on this rewarding challenge May 21 with the help of Fumio Iha, the community relations specialist for Camp Schwab.
Students ranging in age from 4-6 years old learned the English words for the classic game “rock, paper, scissors,” then played against the Marines. The event also included unstructured playtime outdoors, where the volunteers, teachers and other staff continued teaching the children both English and Japanese words.
The students had no qualms about participating with the Marines, according to Iha.
“The kids love it when the Americans come to help out,” said Iha. “They’re so energetic when (the Marines) show up and interact with them.”
The children anticipate the Marines’ visit not just for play but also to learn about American culture, according to Yoshiko Nobuyama, a teacher at the school.
“These children have a genuine interest in other cultures,” said Nobuyama. “It’s amazing how, even at such a young age, they want to learn about other people’s ways.”
Having open-minded youth in such close proximity to the Marines is a good experience for the children, according to Hirakazu Yamamoto, the principal of the school.
“Everybody involved (with the Marines’ monthly visits) is so cross-culturally curious,” said Yamamoto. “This is a golden opportunity, with an incredible dynamic.”
The exchange between the Okinawa citizens and the Marines benefits both sides, according to Lance Cpl. Juan E. Guevara Sanchez, a ground radio repair technician with 3rd Recon Bn., 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
“Our main mission was to help them learn some English,” said Guevara Sanchez an Orlando, Fla., native. “We learned a little Japanese in the process, so it’s a win-win.”
Like the children and school staff, the Marines also appreciate their visits and look forward to future opportunities to volunteer, according to Guevara Sanchez.
“I’m pretty sure I had as much fun as the children,” said Guevara Sanchez. “It was a very rewarding feeling, knowing I helped them learn something they’ll probably use all of their lives. As soon as I hear about future (outreach programs) like this one, I plan to inform my chain of command so I can remain available to participate. I hope I can be a part of many, many more.”
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2014 02:32 |
| Story ID: | 131269 |
| Location: | NAGO, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, US |
| Hometown: | ORLANDO, FLORIDA, US |
| Hometown: | WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 171 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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