Manas airmen assist local school

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. William J. Seabrook Jr.
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) --  Leaving the place better off than when they arrived is one of the goals of the airmen here, and 11 airmen did just that for the local community Jan. 23.

The airmen delivered 30 heaters to a vocational school for underprivileged students in the local village of Jany Ger.

The request for help from this school was originally presented to one of the base’s enlisted councils, so they decided to visit the school and see what assistance they could provide.

“When we originally visited they told us about the many little things they needed, but I wanted to know what we could provide that would really help them in a meaningful manner,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Stillings of the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and council president. “We didn’t want to give them trinkets and gifts; we wanted to provide real assistance.”

That is when the principal of the school, which teaches students, ages 15 to 18, a trade such as cooking, cleaning, farming, waiting, bartending or sewing, informed him of the shortage of heaters in the dormitories where the students live.

“My children are sick 90 percent of time in the winter and thus not able to study,” said Jusupora Bakyt, the school principal. “I also have to put seven children in a room designed for four just to keep them warm.”

When the council members heard these stories, they decided to find a way to buy heaters to alleviate the students' suffering, Sergeant Stillings said.

“We decided to sponsor a ‘pie in the face’ fundraiser and the entire base got involved buying chances to throw pies in peoples faces,” he said.

When it was all said and done, the council had raised more than $1,700 dollars but they still could only afford 22 heaters of the 30 they promised them.

“That’s when the Top 3 council stepped up to the plate and came up with the money for the last eight heaters,” Sergeant Stillings said. “It was truly a team effort throughout the base to get the project to fruition.”

Another base group also helped out by contributing several bags of clothes and supplies for the students, Sergeant Stillings said.

But all the effort and hard work that went into making this event a reality was justified as the vehicles pulled up to the school with supplies, Sergeant Stillings said.

The students stood in front of the school and cheered as the convoy of vehicles approached. And then they entertained the group with song and dance in the school’s gymnasium as their way of thanks.

While the students were thankful for the gifts, the airmen also got their own reward just by being part of this event.

“I was personally extremely impressed that the school is able to so much with so little,” said Tech. Sgt. Tina Donley of the 376th Expeditionary Services Squadron. “I was also very thankful that I was able to be a part of this and help these awesome children out.”

The students were also impressed with the airmen.

“(The students) were very nervous when they first heard the Americans were coming,” Ms. Bakyt said. “However, now they think all Americans are great and wish they would come every day.”