Airmen, Soldiers donate goods to Uzbek baby orphanage

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 416th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KARSHI-KHANABAD AIR BASE, Uzbekistan (AFPN) --  Seven Airmen, four Soldiers and five civilian interpreters recently delivered handmade baby quilts, baby formula, diapers, clothes, toys and other humanitarian goods to a baby orphanage in nearby Qitab.

“Seeing the children smile and laugh as we played with them was the highlight of my visit there,” said Tech. Sgt. Rita Connett of the 416th Expeditionary Mission Support Squadron’s civil engineer flight and deployed from McChord Air Force Base, Wash. “It helped me remember things about my own children -- that they will only be small once, and that I need to cherish every moment that I get to spend with them.”

Army Sgt. Luella Dalton of the 847th Personnel Support Battalion ensured the quilt production was well covered. She, along with three Airmen and an Uzbek interpreter, worked together to craft more than 15 quilts for the Uzbek children.

“I brought my sewing machine to our mobilization site at Fort McCoy, Wis., last April to sew on rank and patches for fellow Soldiers,” Sergeant Dalton said. “My commander suggested bringing it along with me (here), and while here, I continued to sew on patches and rank.

“I also brought some fabric from home, because I sew a lot,” Sergeant Dalton said. “I had a lot of fabric and quilt pieces I could sew, so I thought it would also be a good idea to make quilts for the Uzbek baby orphanage in Qitab.”

Sergeant Dalton said when she went home on leave, she looked through her sewing supplies and fabric, put items together, and then sent six boxes of supplies here.

“We started a sewing class after this past Christmas,” Sergeant Dalton said. “It was something to do to help out the children at the orphanage. Everyone who worked on the quilts knew how nice it would be to give something to small children that would make them nice and warm when they went to bed.”

The sewing class consisted of quick and productive learning.

Dilbar Iskhakova, Uzbek interpreter for the 416th Air Expeditionary Group, made six quilts. First Lt. Theresa Thomas and Tech. Sgt. Lisa Ramos, both with the 416th EMSS’s communications flight, and Staff Sgt. Patricia Garcia of the 416th EMSS’s civil engineer flight, each made a quilt.

“When I (found out) we could make quilts for the kids at the orphanage, I didn’t know we would also have the opportunity to go and deliver them ourselves,” said Sergeant Ramos who is deployed from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. “That was a wonderful opportunity. I was just happy that I could use my skills to help someone -- especially a child.”

The visit also helped the servicemembers realize something about their own culture.

“This trip taught me that, as Americans, we take a lot for granted,” Sergeant Connett said. “We should be thankful for the country we live in and the luxuries that we have.

“From seeing the country of Uzbekistan and how simple they live their lives, I see that it’s about working together as a team that gets things done,” she said. “At the orphanage I saw that a smile and a giggle are universal and that simple things such as a quilt or a teddy bear are well received by children who have so little.”

Army Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Fehrman, also with the 847th PSB, said a trip like this is beneficial for host nation’s relations.

“The humanitarian aid trips show that we care about the area that surrounds our base,” he said. “It shows our good will when we have some of the Soldiers and Airmen take things out or do things for the community. It gets all of us involved in a joint endeavor and gives the opportunity to share some common interests.

“I think they really appreciated it,” Sergeant Fehrman said. “Seeing the kids run around with their new quilts and toys was nice.”

Lieutenant Thomas, who is also deployed from Vandenberg AFB, said she spent two months sewing a quilt for this visit and that seeing it through, from the start of making the quilt to handing it to a child, was a rewarding experience.

“It was the first time I ever attempted turning fabric into something worthwhile,” Lieutenant Thomas said. “It was extremely rewarding to see all the smiling faces when we handed the quilts out. Sometimes the little things we do in life do mean a whole lot to those who don’t have much. I’m glad I had an opportunity to experience the moment of joy, even if it was only for a short time.”

Army Sgt. Linda Scott, a chaplain’s assistant deployed from the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan., said she thinks the most memorable thing for her, and maybe everyone on the trip, was meeting the children.

“The children were happy and very well taken care of by their providers,” Sergeant Scott said. “I wish I could take them all home with me just so they can experience the true love of a family. The visit made me aware of how blessed I was as a child growing up with a family and how blessed I am to have my mother alive and able to step into a role as caregiver to my children when I’m not able to be there.”

“This was the most memorable experience in my life,” said Staff Sgt. Lakeitha Luster of the 416th EMSS civil engineer flight and deployed from Randolph AFB, Texas. “I’m glad that I was able to make a difference in someone else’s life, even if it was only for a few minutes.

“The kids’ faces when they saw us were priceless,” she said. “They were so happy and seemed to be so appreciative. Even though we didn’t speak the same language, they knew that we were there because we cared. I especially saw this in a baby I was holding. He felt so comfortable with me that he fell asleep in my arms.”

The group also gave the children teddy bears donated by Betty Ann Bina of McVille, N.D. Ms. Bina heard about the Uzbek orphanages and asked that a box of donated teddy bears make their way to the children’s hands.