Manas Airmen build swing set, relationship

  • Published
  • By Capt. Christy Stravolo
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) --  A team of Airmen here finished work on a new swing set for children at the Solnyshko Kindergarten School near the village of Vinogradnoe Nov. 16.

The swing set, which was built by the previous rotation, still had to be cemented into the ground and painted before turning it over to the youngsters.

"We chose red and blue paint for the swing set because those are the colors of freedom, the colors of the United States," said Senior Master Sgt. Bob Hoeppner, 376th Expeditionary Operations Group superintendent deployed from Altus AFB, Okla., and project leader. "It's important that we are here showing our goodwill to our neighbors and I'm glad that this team was able to make it today," Sergeant Hoeppner said.

The kindergarten project is one of many that falls under the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's Community Partnership Plan, which was developed to build strong and enduring relationships between the base and the five villages nearby--including Vinogradnoe. The 376 AEW and EOG sponsor the Vinogradnoe Village.

The principal of Solnyshko Kindergarten, Manzura Kushbaeva, said she appreciates all that the Airmen from Manas Air Base have done for the children at the school.

"We didn't know the U.S. military at all before they came here. About a year ago, they visited and offered their assistance, asked us what we wanted them to do for us," Principal Kushbaeva said. "We enumerated a number of things we needed here beginning with a playground, because the kids had no place to play," she said. "We are thrilled to finally have a swing set for the children."

In addition to the swing set, Manas Airmen have brought the children school supplies such as pens and paper, coloring books and crayons. They've brought toys and recently they gave the children a television and DVD player, which Principal Kushbaeva said has been put to good use.

"The kids really enjoy watching movies on the TV. We also bought some English training CDs and we are studying and learning the English language with the kids," she said.

Once the final touch ups were made to the new swing set, the children were invited to try it out. For Senior Airman Jonathan Tucker, 376th Expeditionary Operation Support Squadron weather forecaster deployed from Fairchild AFB, Wash., it was a special moment.

"I really liked seeing the smiling faces of the kids," Airman Tucker said. "This was my first time off base and being here was a lot of fun. I'd really like to come here again."

Now that the swing set is completed, the team is ready for the next project: installing a sink with running hot and cold water inside the school. Currently, there is no running water in the building.

Principal Kushbaeva -- after four years of carrying large pails of water from outside into the building on a daily basis -- said she looks forward to seeing Sergeant Hoeppner and his team again.

"We are very thankful for the U.S. military and, God willing, this relationship will continue."