Mentors, tutors help children at Incirlik

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (USAFENS) --  There is a saying “It takes a village to raise a child,” which simply means it takes all of us in a community to instill positive qualities that will help children grow up to be responsible and caring individuals.

In our little “village,” the Incirlik American High School and Middle School mentoring and tutoring program provides an opportunity for people in our “village” to lead our children in the present and have a lasting impact on their future.

“This is a wonderful chance for dedicated and dependable people to be a ‘big brother’ or ‘big sister’ to a student here,” said Henrietta Reddick, Incirlik American High School and Middle School mentoring and tutoring program coordinator.

The program is seeking high school graduates ages 18 years and up to be positive role models to middle and high school students.

Volunteer mentors and tutors must be energetic, dependable, caring, flexible, open minded, patient and ready to share the positive aspects of life with children.

“Mentoring and tutoring means building a relationship of trust between people,” said Capt. Cassandra Antwine, 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight commander and Incirlik American High School and Middle School tutor. “One person needs support and attention, which the other commits to give. In this simple exchange of kindness a special change occurs in people when they know someone cares about them. Positive values take hold, self-esteem grows and many options open up. Just by the giving nature of the relationship, goodness is regenerated.”

With the Incirlik population in constant rotation with people moving out every 15 to 24 months and the high-ops tempo, the mentoring and tutoring program has been in need of volunteers.

“We are seeking people to step up to the plate and fill the voids left by our previous volunteers. You don’t have to be the smartest or the coolest person in the world. People just have to be caring,” said Mrs. Reddick. “It’s important for our children to know that there are good people in this world, people outside of their immediate family, who care about them. For some of them this is the only act of love they will see and it will go a long way into helping them go in positive directions.”

“Volunteers can meet with there children any day of the week,” said Mrs. Reddick. “People don’t have to come up to the school everyday, but a weekly meeting or every two days is preferred. People can be a mentor, a tutor or both, whatever you can do will be greatly appreciated.”

Mentors and tutors don’t only receive appreciation from the parents and teachers at the school, but from the primary benefactors -- the children.

“We really enjoy having mentors and tutors here,” said Allyssia Hodge, an 11-year-old, 6th grader at Incirlik American Middle School. “It shows people care and it helps me to be a better student. So it’s a good thing.”

If the saying “It takes a village to raise a child,” is true, then its mentors and tutors that go that extra step to ensure that the children of our “village” have positive role models, showing examples of good qualities that children will carry into the future and help them lead the villages of tomorrow.