Ramstein Airmen connect with Rwandan children

  • Published
  • By Capt. Erin Dorrance
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
KIGALI, Rwanda (AFPN) --  Large smiles, chewing gum bubbles and high-fives were the scene Sept. 22 when Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, gave donated goods to orphans and school children here.

The 787th Air Expeditionary Squadron, comprised of 20 Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing, 86th Contingency Response Group, 86th Operations Support Squadron and 700th Contracting Squadron, deployed to provide airlift to Rwandan troops serving with the African Union in the Darfur region.

The 787th AES delivered blankets, clothing and school supplies, which were donated by Air Force and Army units in the Kaiserslautern Military Community to Rwandan children.

"Our orphanage would not be able to keep its doors open if it were not for donations," said Sister Allison, headmaster at the Missionaries of Charity. "The U.S. Air Force always helps us out by donating every time they come to Rwanda."

After the servicemembers offloaded boxes, the children thanked them by singing songs in Kinya-rwanda, the national language of the country. The songs were followed by tours of the facilities and the opportunity for Airmen to interact with the children.

As the Airmen toured the dirt-floored facilities that were lit only by natural light, children showed their appreciation with high-fives and hugs.

"Our priority is the military mission, however, we are thrilled to have the chance to give donations collected from our local community to Rwandan schools and orphanages," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Renner, 787th AES commander. "The smiles on the children's faces provides us with an unexplainable feeling that we will not soon forget."

Several of the orphans and students benefiting from the donations are victims of the genocide war that occurred in 1994, said Sister Allison.

"Rwanda continues to move forward after the atrocity it experienced only 12 years ago," she said. "These donations are an example of the world coming together to help make Rwanda's future bright."