Teaching English while keeping the peace

WHEN she’s not on front-line peace-keeping duties in South Lebanon, gunner Emma O’Reilly from Shannon likes nothing better than to spend her spare time in an orphanage in Tibnin.

Since their first deployment to South Lebanon in 1978, Irish troops have developed a close relationship with the orphanage and the municipality of Tibnin.
Now Emma and some of her colleagues of the 105 Infantry Battalion are strengthening that link by volunteering to teach English to local children.
Emma and her comrades teach the basics of the English language to young children and conversational English, among other topics, to children of a more advanced ability. It’s a mission they are not obliged to fulfil but it’s something they willingly do.
Staff officer Captain Paul Holohan explained that as a part of the larger Civilian Military Co-operation (CIMIC) plan for 105 Infantry Battalion, a number of small and extremely worthwhile projects, consisting of adult English lessons and basic English lessons, take place in the orphanage in Tibnin.
Aiding 105 Infantry Battalion with the English lessons are Fawaz Fawaz, president of the local charity committee and Christine Ghostine, an English teacher in the local high school.
“The class is made up of approximately 20 students, varying in age, from 16 to 60, and ability. The class is normally split into two separate groups, a beginners and an intermediate, with each class consisting of various reading, writing and conversational exercises that try to expand the students’ knowledge and use of the English language.
“From time to time, both groups will join together, so the beginners will also benefit from the more advanced members of the class. This allows every member of the class to practice their conversational English,” Captain Holohan outlined.
“The orphanage in Tibnin is close to the hearts of all in IRISHBATT, as Irish troops have long maintained a close relationship with the orphanage, since our first deployment here in 1978. These English lessons are conducted by personnel from the battalion, not just the CIMIC team. The local students find these lessons very beneficial,” he added.
Personnel of 105 Infantry Battalion also raised money to help purchase diesel for the heating system in the orphanage. The money for the project was donated in its entirety by the troops of IRISHBATT.
Meanwhile, away from the classroom environment, the main mission of the Irish troops is to engage in a joint effort with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to create and maintain a safe environment in South Lebanon. Another Clare soldier involved in the operation is Private Mark Slattery from Clarecastle.
For Private Slattery, whose home unit is the 12 Infantry Battalion Sarsfields Barracks in Limerick, this is his second overseas mission. He previously served in Chad.
The 31-year-old father of two engages in daily joint patrols along the blue line with the LAF in the Irish battalion area of operations.
These operations are conducted in all conditions, day and night, in full coordination and cooperation with the LAF. The joint operations vary from mechanised, soft skin and foot patrols to the establishment of checkpoints.
Mark, who has two children, Oisin (two and a half) and Beibhinn (four months), and Emma were deployed with the 105 Infantry Battalion last November and will remain in South Lebanon until next May.