MANAMA, Bahrain – Bahrain Naval Support Activities (NSA) and U.S. Embassy Manama welcomed Bahraini students from the English Access Micro-Scholarship Program (Access) to NSA Bahrain on Jan. 16.
The visit was coordinated as part of the NSA Bahrain Community Relations (COMREL) program, which focuses on serving the local community through coordinated events and activities that celebrate and strengthen the longstanding partnership between the U.S. Navy and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The event provided the Bahraini students with an opportunity to interact with their naval personnel in a casual setting, improve their communication skills and deepen mutual understanding between the two communities.
“This was an opportunity for the children to be immersed in an English-only environment.
“The Access students learned about the various jobs, roles and responsibilities of a Navy soldier and received fire safety training at the fire station,” said Kim Chilmonic, regional English officer at the U.S. Embassy in Manama.
They also visited a fire station and practiced their skills at a bowling alley.”
The Access Program is a two-year, free scholarship program offered by the U.S. Embassy that provides students with a foundation in English language, life, and leadership skills. The program offers enriching personal development experiences and community service activities in the students’ home countries.
Students engaged in one-on-one discussions with Sailors on a wide range of topics and points related to the Navy and American culture, stimulating their conversational English skills, improving their communication abilities and building new friendships.
“I had fun today, I met new people, I discovered new information and new things,” said Fatima Rashed, one of the Bahraini students in the Access Programme. “Today was good because I got to practice my English, learn some new words and vocabulary and also practice my accent.”
Yeoman Private 2nd Class Robin White thoroughly enjoyed the unique opportunity to meet Bahraini students whilst forging new bonds with the local community.
“Meeting the kids was a very humbling and sobering experience,” White said. “We talked about games, music and movies. I remembered my childhood and what days like this meant to me when I was younger.”
NSA Bahrain Commander, Capt. Zakaria Aperauchi, met with the students and proudly shared the work the NSA Bahrain team undertakes on a daily basis.
“By putting students on board the NSA Bahrain, we are helping to
We tell our brothers and sisters what we are doing and in return we
“Our partnership with the Kingdom of Bahrain has lasted for more than 50 years and this is one of many opportunities to strengthen that relationship.”
NSA Bahrain’s mission is to support U.S. and Allied maritime operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations by ensuring the security of ships, aircraft, and tenants aboard NSA Bahrain and assigned contingents. NSA Bahrain provides efficient and effective shore services to keep the fleet operational, the warfighter operational, and our families operating with honor, courage, and commitment.
Date taken: 17 January 2024 Date posted: 17 January 2024 07:48 Story ID: 461929 Location: Manama, BH Web views: 165 Downloads: 0 Public domain
This work, “Bahraini Students Visit NSA Bahrain,” by Ameera Al-Kooheji, has been identified by DVIDS and must comply with the restrictions set forth at https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
