Members of the Camp Pendleton-based 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit spent time last week with special needs children at the Lok Hing Child Care Centre in Hong Kong.
Jacinta Chan Yin Ching, a teacher at Lok Hing Child Care Centre, told 15th MEU Public Affairs that the centre provides therapy and education for children, as well as support for parents:
“We help children with special needs reach their full potential through many programs. A lot of the children are very shy and being able to play with the military members provides a good opportunity for them to warm up to strangers and have a fun time. The children had fun and we are happy that [the Marines and sailors] came to visit.”
The 15th MEU is part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group, which has been deployed since September of 2012. The group of Marines and Sailors who visited the centre are embarked with the USS Rushmore.
Cpl. Cameron M. Sales said he wanted to visit the centre because his own daughter is part of a similar program at home in Lodi, California:
“[T]his experience really brought it home for me. It’s nice to connect with children no matter what country you’re in."
