HomeNewsArticle Display

Airmen reach out to orphans in Africa

Master Sgt. Kevin Coleman hands out toys to orphaned children at the Osu Children's Home Feb. 18 in Accra, Ghana. Twenty-five Airmen visited the home to hand out more than $500 worth of supplies they purchased through personal donations. The Airmen are part of a joint task force providing infrastructure, aircraft and personnel in support of President George Bush's visits to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia Feb. 16 through 21. Sergeant Coleman is a Joint Task Force West weather craftsman. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson)

Master Sgt. Kevin Coleman hands out toys to orphaned children at the Osu Children's Home Feb. 18 in Accra, Ghana. Twenty-five Airmen visited the home to hand out more than $500 worth of supplies they purchased through personal donations. The Airmen are part of a joint task force providing infrastructure, aircraft and personnel in support of President George Bush's visits to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia Feb. 16 through 21. Sergeant Coleman is a Joint Task Force West weather craftsman. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson)

Tech. Sgt. Sarah Gordon holds an orphaned infant at the Osu Children's Home Feb. 18 in Accra, Ghana. Sergeant Gordon is the Joint Task Force West personnelist in charge of contingency operations. She is just one of 25 Airmen who visited the home to hand out more than $500 worth of supplies they purchased through personal donations. The Airmen are part of a joint task force providing infrastructure, aircraft and personnel in support of President George Bush's visits to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia Feb. 16 through 21. Sergeant Gordon is the Joint Task Force West personnelist in charge of contingency operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson)

Tech. Sgt. Sarah Gordon holds an orphaned infant at the Osu Children's Home Feb. 18 in Accra, Ghana. Sergeant Gordon is the Joint Task Force West personnelist in charge of contingency operations. She is just one of 25 Airmen who visited the home to hand out more than $500 worth of supplies they purchased through personal donations. The Airmen are part of a joint task force providing infrastructure, aircraft and personnel in support of President George Bush's visits to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia Feb. 16 through 21. Sergeant Gordon is the Joint Task Force West personnelist in charge of contingency operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson)

ACCRA, Ghana (AFPN) -- Airmen from Joint Task Force-Nomad Fire (West) here brought gifts and supplies as part of a humanitarian outreach event for 150 orphaned children Feb. 18 in Accra.

The deployed members heard there was a possibility of visiting a local orphanage in the late afternoon Feb. 17 and the numbers of volunteers and donations began to grow before the plans were even approved.

The task force members deployed to Ghana to support President George Bush's visit to Africa. President Bush visited Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia Feb. 16 through 21.

After ensuring the visit wouldn't impact the team's primary mission, Col. James Dew, the task force commander, approved the plan. By mid-morning on Feb. 18, the U.S. Embassy approved the trip.

Nearly 25 Airmen boarded the bus that afternoon headed for the Osu Children's Home. More wanted to participate, but couldn't due to mission requirements. Those individuals did the next best thing they could -- donated money to the effort.

"I've wanted to do something like this since we got here," said Tech. Sgt. Sarah Gordon, a JTF-NF(W) personnelist in charge of contingency operations.

The bus stopped at a local store where the volunteers pooled resources, including the money donated back by those who couldn't attend, and bought more than $500 worth of supplies. By the time the bus arrived at the orphanage, the group was laden down with bags of rice, baby formula, school supplies, hygiene products, laundry detergent and toys.

The group toured the facility before settling in for some cuddling and play time with children who ranged from newborns to 18 year olds.

"Some of the hardships these children have endured are truly amazing," said Capt. Cheo Stalworth, a JTF-NF(W) communications officer.

"This child is 6 months old, although he is the size of a 3 month old," an orphanage volunteer said as she fed sips of formula to a small infant from a medicine cup. "He is sick and was abandoned by his family."

The Airmen spent two hours with the children and connected with many of the children. One young boy approached Staff Sgt. Scott Warren, a JTF-NF(W) communications journeyman who came to the Osu Children's Home

"Do you speak French?" the boy named Mohammed asked. 

"No. I'm sorry, I don't. I wish I did," Sergeant Warren replied.

"I only speak a little English," Mohammed said.

The boy smiled and pointed to see Sergeant Warren's tattoo. Despite the language barrier, the two managed to talk about the boy's life.

"It wasn't until later that I learned the boy's family was shot in another country. He walked the whole way here on his own," Sergeant Warren said. "He's only been here five days."

The Airmen hand out more than $500 worth of supplies they purchased through personal donations for the orphans at the Osu Children's Home.

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page

Engage

Facebook Twitter
It's that time of year again, and you already know who we're rooting for! #GOAIRFORCE!!! #SinkNavy @AF_Academyhttps://t.co/HfpVssRn7c
Today, the nation recognizes the sacrifice that all #GoldStarFamily members make when a father, mother, brother, si… https://t.co/1FMuO4KNe7
#NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski noted some similarities between NASCAR and the B-2 during his visit to @Whiteman_AFBhttps://t.co/Xbf5CChBDo
.@AFCareers increases transparency of Developmental Special Duty assignments. https://t.co/CSchg5Nnaa https://t.co/lguLk9Ulx5
#Congratulations to the 12 officers selected for Inter-American Squadron Officer School! #DYK: The 8-week program i… https://t.co/d5FIIXwvNJ
Check out the new #AirForce podcast featuring Col. Enrique Oti, managing director behind the Defense Innovation Uni… https://t.co/BRNMuNzbPS
Are you ready to #Innovate, #Accelerate and #Dominate? Then follow @AFSpace on this #FollowFriday. Their team provi… https://t.co/DgeUn9nyuH
RT @PACAF: #B52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft conducted operations in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean on Sept. 23 and Sept. 25, 2018…
Putting pen to paper, #Airmen from the #AirForce Technical Applications Center find a solution for better nuclear m… https://t.co/ONaJX02ou0
#Airmen at #Bagram Air Base tested their endurance and strength while participating in the 22nd Annual #AirForce Ma… https://t.co/pYtQYMLic2
#USAF awarded the first portion of contract for #UH1N replacement helicopter, resulting in a savings of $1.7 billio… https://t.co/QU34VVpLpq
RT @AFWERX: AFWERX is using Ideascale to offer USAF Airmen the opportunity to submit their innovative idea for the Air Force. Join the netw…
The 93rd Bomb Squadron has a rich heritage, full of timeless stories. See how the legacy of one #Airman came full c… https://t.co/EGyCocBkOe
#USAF #TACP specialists & @USArmy special forces worked w/ the 80th Fighter Squadron "Juvats" to train on calling i… https://t.co/OPa3M0s7xK
Although doctor appointments can be intimidating, don't let that stop you from speaking with a Behavioral Healthcar… https://t.co/Z2f7hiM8ab
The 2018 CSAF #ReadingList has been released! Check it out: https://t.co/CP4yAQACnP https://t.co/a4x2RCLuz5
RT @USAFHealth: #HurricaneSeason is one example of how the Air Force deploys #GlobalHeath operations. Last year, the AFMS provided relief e…
.@PACAF Commander paid a visit to @LukeAFB, gained knowledge of their training program for fighter #pilots and comb… https://t.co/2X3xSMD2KN
#ICYMI: Over 400 current and former #pararescuemen and spectators gathered to compete and train in the 10th biennia… https://t.co/6SRU5H9UZZ