Americans reach out, help Afghans

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Catharine Schmidt
  • Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  With the generosity of people in the United States, coalition troops here were able to make the lives of 30 Afghan families a little bit better Feb. 22.

Beginning in November, Soldiers of the 105th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, deployed from Kansas and Oklahoma, received donations from their families and churches back home. More than 30 boxes of supplies, including toiletries, clothing, food, toys, school supplies and blankets, were received in the succeeding months.

Volunteers throughout Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan gathered to organize the boxes to hand out to families who needed the items. The supplies were especially appreciated because of the cold weather the families have been enduring, officials said.

“Hundreds of Afghans have died this winter because of the extreme weather conditions, so, hopefully, we can help prevent some of that suffering through these generous donations,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Darren Heusel of the 105th MPAD. “Humanitarian missions like these demonstrate that the U.S.-led coalition is not only here in Afghanistan to root out terrorism, but to make life better for the Afghan people.”

Army Staff Sgt. Phillip Witzke, of the 105th MPAD, said he asked his church family in Topeka, Kan., to send donations. They organized a donation program for the Afghans.

“I believe this humanitarian mission is a testament to the love and compassion of the American people,” said Sergeant Heusel, a native of Yukon, Okla. “A lot of the supplies we handed out … were sent to me by my family and friends back home. People ask me all the time what I need, and, quite honestly, the servicemembers here in Afghanistan don’t want for anything. (Some) Afghan people, however, are extremely destitute.”

Helping needy Afghans is nothing new for Army Sgt. Maj. Nancy Rivera, CFC-A sergeant major for civil military operations, who helped coordinate the visit and handed out donations to the families. Since she arrived here almost a year ago, she has handed out aid to four camps for displaced people.

“I’ve been to schools, orphanages, hospitals, women’s shelters and rehabilitation centers as well,” she said. “I average six to eight visits a month. The number of visits we make is directly influenced by the number of donations we receive.”

On the Feb. 22 mission, 30 families lined up waiting for the donations from Americans.

“The general reaction was of thanks and appreciation,” Sergeant Major Rivera said. “But because we’re only able to help a limited number of families, there was also a sense of despair and anxiety on the faces of those we couldn’t assist.”

“I think the Afghans were grateful for the donations,” Sergeant Witzke said. “It wasn’t a large number of people, but any time we can reach out is changing the world they live in for the better. It only takes one person to make a difference. The Afghan people realize how much Americans care.”

Everyone who took part in the mission agreed the day was a success.

“Of course, any time you can do something like this for the Afghans it is a success,” Sergeant Witzke said. “There is so much that needs to be done here … but to see the concern and passion from (back) home for the Afghans is phenomenal. Just from stories we’ve told them, people (from) home are sending things. It’s an example of the American support we are receiving for what we’re doing in Afghanistan.”

The troops said they are proud of the contribution they are making while here.

“Every American should have the opportunity to feel the way we do when we deliver donated food and clothing to these poor but proud refugees,” said Capt. Scott Jones of CFC-A. “I am honored to be able to support the humanitarian mission here in Kabul.

“Winning the peace in the newly democratic Afghanistan is crucial to the sustained global war on terrorism,” he said. “Every time an individual or organization donates to the Soldiers or (Afghans), they are serving alongside the Soldiers here.”

“To have an opportunity to show the Afghan people the true face of America is a great honor for me,” Sergeant Heusel said. “To see the look on the children’s faces whenever we handed out the supplies was a true blessing. Many of these children were walking around without coats or shoes on their feet. I just thank God I am in a position to make a small contribution. It’s efforts like these, thousands of miles from home, that even have my church family . . . making a bigger commitment to missions work in the coming year.”