The visit of foreign students is “not only good for the congregates but for the island as well,” she said.
Yesterday, 32 students from Yongsin Women High School interacted with the congregates.
“They were really amazed because they don’t have in their country this kind of center taking care of the elderly,” she said.
Mondala said they are also expecting 90 students to visit the center and entertain the manamko’ this November.
Sen Kim, international coordinator of Hotel Riviera Saipan, which arranged the trip, said the students enjoyed socializing with the senior citizens.
While on Saipan, the students are attending an English class in the morning and sightseeing in the afternoon, he said.
The group arrived on July 18 and will be leaving Saipan on Aug. 8.
Yesterday, another group of students from Korea Immanuel Church arrived on Saipan, said Kim.
Aging Office program coordinator Walter Manglona said the students can improve their communication skills while interacting with the manamko’.
At the center, the students spent more than two hours performing various entertainment numbers, assisting and playing with the manamko’. Some of the senior citizens also shared with the students their skills in needlecraft.
Sun Woo Kim, a teacher who accompanied the group, said he was impressed by the center.
He and some of the students are planning to return to Saipan during winter.
“It’s interesting,” said Ji Hyun Kim, one of the students, when asked about the center. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Ye-Won Ko said Saipan is a small island but has beautiful sea. “I also like playing bingo with the senior citizens.”
Ki-Yoon Seong, who received a rosary from senior citizen Teddy Guiao, said the people at the center are kind and good.
Senior Citizens Advisory Council president Teresita Sorroza said visiting students are always welcome at the center.
“We enjoy interacting with them,” she said.
