Manas members help local orphans

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Stefan Alford
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, KYRGYZSTAN --  Candy and chocolates are quickly eaten; toys and games eventually lose pieces or break, and clothes and shoes are outgrown over time.

But, one gift these material things bring that lasts a lot longer, perhaps even a lifetime, is the knowledge somebody genuinely cares enough to help make a difference.

The reaction of the children at the Tok Mok II orphanage as Manas Airman brought some of these items Oct. 29 was proof enough it wasn't so much the presents, as the visit and interaction that seemed to excite the children most. Instead of reaching out for goodies, the children were simply reaching out for the hands of the Airman as they arrived.

"The children love to see us come," said Master Sgt. Joseph Debets, 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter deployed to Manas, from McConnell. "As with any kids, they are excited we may bring presents or candy, but it's more than that. There have been trips where we brought nothing more than ourselves, and they loved it. We give these children something they don't get a lot, and that is time to play with adults and just be kids."

Aside from a fellowship that helps form lasting impressions, the Airmen are also involved in funding and building projects that will have impact lasting far beyond three-hour visits every other week.

One of those projects is a $5,000 shower renovation started during the previous aero expeditionary force rotation. The overhaul includes some basic items not previously available in the old concrete bathing facility - such as hot water heaters and actual shower heads.

"They would run water from a faucet into buckets and then dump the buckets on themselves to shower," explained Sergeant Debets. "When the old shower room was being used, the children got sponge showers about once a week."

The renovation is nearly complete. All of the new equipment has been installed, and the area is being cleaned up for use. To help celebrate the opening of the showers, the Airmen will be bringing personal hygiene bundles for the children. These bundles will include towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, conditioner, combs, toothpaste and toothbrushes.
There are about 170 children, ranging from 6 to 16 years old, at the facility located in the town of Tok Mok - about two hours from Manas Air Base. The 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department has primary responsibility for the orphanage under the base's Village Partnership Program. This makes it no surprise that among one of the other projects is the installation of smoke detectors in the childrens' sleeping areas.

"We raised $1,263 for the Manas Air Base Outreach Society and Village Partnership Program during fire prevention week and part of that went to purchasing the smoke detectors for the dormitories," said Sergeant Debets.

"The money here is well spent," said Master Sgt. Hector Aguilar, 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, who has been to the orphanage 10 times since May. "I enjoy coming here because I have gotten close to a lot of the children (and) know many of their first names. It is going to be hard for me when the time comes when I have to go back home. If it was possible, I would take a couple of them home with me."

According to Sergeant Debets, who was also deployed here in 2006, one security forces noncommissioned officer who used to visit the orphanage the past year has been trying to do just that - but after almost a year of paperwork, legal processes and increasing fees and expenses, his goal of adopting one of the children is still working its way through the system.

In the meantime, Airmen here do their best to bring some joy and hope to the lives of all the youngsters at the facility.

"It's important because of the impact we have on these children," said Sergeant Debets. "We take for granted the little things that bring joy to these children -
(getting) a deck of cards, a bag of jacks, rubber bouncy balls or small checkers games is just like Christmas to these kids."
With winter coming, the Airmen are planning some indoor activities and projects with the children.

"We are looking at some types of beautification projects in the school," said Sergeant Debets. "Every trip we try to do some type of physical activity as well, such as soccer, volleyball, frisbee, or just a coloring contest or helping do hair and makeup with the girls."

Although the fire department oversees involvement in the orphanage, the trips are open to any Airmen wanting to visit and lend a helping hand - a hand that will be readily grasped by children looking more for a lasting, personal connection than the temporary pleasures of toys and candy.