Students bond with Cambodian orphans

BY FORREST SELLERS FSELLERS@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM

ANDERSON TWP. - Students in Shari Devine's class have made some new friends. However, they are not in the same building nor are they even in the same school district.
Some of the fourth- and sixth-graders at Maddux Elementary School are pen pals with youngsters in Cambodia. Specifically, they have been writing to children at the Cambodian International Children and Friend Organization, an orphanage at Phnom Penh.
The students sent their first letters in December. In addition, they have also bought "Doodle Pro" writing and drawing tablets for the children.
"They are excited to have contact with students from another country," said Devine, who teaches language arts and social studies. "They also feel good they (are) in communication with a child who is an orphan."
Devine said it has been a pleasant learning experience for both cultures.
She said it began with a Journal Journey project last September, when the students started a journal that they then sent to people in a variety of locations.
Fourth-grader Emily Navaro sent the journal to her uncle, Kurt Cook, who was visiting Cambodia at the time. A director at the Cambodian International orphanage asked Kurt if the Maddux students would be interested in becoming pen pals.
"I thought it was cool," said Navaro, 9. "I thought it would be fun to write to (them)."
Fourth-grader Bailey Winters, 9, said he has also enjoyed making new friends.
"I'm learning about the Cambodian language," he said.
The students are currently painting pictures in their art class to send with their next letters.