YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea -- Jump houses, face painting and cotton candy. It was a child's dream come true as U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan Child Youth and School Services celebrated Month of the Military Child with a Fun Fair at the Child Development Center parking lot, April 14.
The event was organized not just for fun, it had a deeper meaning. Military children experience unique challenges related to Military life and culture. These include separation from parents and family reunification. Due to frequent moves, many Military children experience disrupted relationships with friends, and suffer from adapting to new schools and cultivating new Community resources. Some children also experience the trauma of welcoming home a parent who returns with a combat injury or illness, or worse yet facing a parent's death.
CYSS develops and organizes many programs to lessen Military children's stressors. They also provide kids with sports, dance and martial arts classes. In addition, they even educate parents. They teach new mothers and fathers how to babysit, how to navigate power struggles between teen and parents, and water safety for summer.
Many other organizations also participated in the fun fair , supporting what CYSS does.
Fraternities and sororities prepared food and provided a wide variety of activities such as face painting, manicure shop, and games. The money they earned will go right back to the Community through scholarships.
Melody Francis, director of Parent and Outreach Services for CYSS, emphasized the importance of taking care of Military children.
"We all know the sacrifices Soldiers make, but we don't really recognize the fact that they pull their children with them without asking," Francis said. "This event celebrates the sacrifices children in Military Communities face every day. We want to honor that."
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