Gulf | Bahrain
US sailors offer a helping hand to special needs children in Bahrain
Most of them had seen US servicemen and servicewomen in action films, Playstation games or war documentaries. But this week, students from the Regional Institute for Active Learning (RIA) School in Adliya, Manama, interacted directly with US sailors who offered assistance and shared smiles.
- By Habib Toumi, Bahrain Bureau Chief
- Published: 15:05 June 19, 2009
Manama: Most of them had seen US servicemen and servicewomen in action films, Playstation games or war documentaries. But this week, students from the Regional Institute for Active Learning (RIA) School in Adliya, Manama, interacted directly with US sailors who offered assistance and shared smiles.
Ten sailors assigned to US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), visited the RIA School in Adliya, Manama, to spend time with children. The weekly visit is part of a recurring community relations (COMREL) project in which sailors volunteer their time at the RIA School socializing with special needs children, helping students with class work and spending time with children during recess. The US Navy also actively seeks new opportunities to volunteer in Bahrain.
"COMREL projects are an important tool for the US Navy to give back to the communities we live in. The partnership we have with the RIA School is a wonderful opportunity for our Sailors to volunteer their time,'' said Chief Petty Officer William Hammond, who helped organize the project.
The RIA School offers a year-round English curriculum with both a pre-school nursery and a special educational needs unit for those students with communication disorders.
During the visit, the sailors spent time playing with children, colouring decorations for the classrooms and assisting children with a variety of classroom activities.
"The kids are so much fun to work with. I think it is exciting for the kids because having contact with people other than their teachers and their family is something they look forward to every week. Spending time with them is well worth it," said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Teresa Hernandezdelavega, a sailor who participated in the COMREL project at the RIA school."
"Having the Sailors come here is a really positive thing for the kids," said Christine Gordon, the RIA School Director. "You can see in the children's faces just how much fun they are having. They learn valuable interaction skills when the Sailors give them special, individual attention; which is something most of them are not use to getting."
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