Manas helps give 8 children's hearts a beating chance
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan --
Manas Air Base members continue to keep promises and give hope to children in need at Bishkek Institute of Cardiology, known as the Children's Heart Hospital.
While paying a visit with young patients March 4, Airmen brought in box loads of plush toys, arts and craft supplies, along with a surprise gift - a $4,500 donation.
While infants, children and teens enjoyed the gifts that Manas Air Base Outreach Society members consistently bring, the parents and doctors were more than overjoyed by the presentation of a life-size check made out to the Children's Heart Hospital. The generous donation will fund eight heart surgeries at approximately $560 each.
"The kids at the Heart Ward who need cardiac surgery don't seem to realize the scope of what they're up against," said Capt. Sean Brazel, 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron deputy commander.
"This was my second trip to the heart ward. I wanted to interact with local Kyrgyz nationals and lend a hand to some of the families with hopes of leaving a positive impression of Americans," said Captain Brazel.
"They don't understand that the quality of their medical facility might be considered 'run down' by many in other countries. They do however, understand the value of a good coloring book or stuffed animal and for two hours, they got to have fun with a bunch of people who spoke a different language," said Captain Brazel, who is deployed from Headquarters Air Force, Manpower and Personnel, at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.
"The general state of the hospital made me appreciate the hospitals and medical care facilities that we have in the states," said Captain Brazel. "The Heart Ward itself seemed outdated, but the staff seemed to be dedicated professionals who take exceptionally good care of their patients."
"After playing for several hours, I realized that kids are kids everywhere and they simply want to be healthy enough to play and have fun," said the Moultrie, Ga., native.
The decision to donate approximately $4,500 was all about timing. The First Four leadership group from Manas Air Base, made up of junior enlisted Airmen, donated more than $1,000 to MABOS. At the same time, there was an urgent need for eight surgeries at the Heart Hospital. Members of MABOS set up an impromptu meeting to hold an immediate vote to add the additional monies to cover the urgently-needed surgeries. The vote was unanimous "yes".
"I volunteered to go on this visit because of both my curiosity of what the facility was like and to see the treatment the kids receive," said Master Sgt. Ken Hart of the 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron.
"But, I was really looking forward to spending time with the children. I'd read and heard about the institute needing our help. I just didn't realize how vital the need was for us to be there until I spent time with the kids," he said.
"What was so enjoyable to me was the little boy that wouldn't let me stop blowing bubbles until he decided he wanted to color instead," said the native of Broken Arrow, Okla.
"The looks of gratitude from the people we visited are something a person doesn't forget," said Sergeant Hart, who is deployed from the 2nd Manpower Requirements Squadron at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.
"The general state of the hospital made me appreciate the hospitals and medical care facilities that we have in the states," he added.
"The Heart Ward itself seemed outdated, but the medical staff really appeared to be dedicated professionals who take exceptionally good care of their patients. If what we do helps make a difference in their lives, I'm glad I could be a part of it all." said Sergeant Hart, who is deployed from the 2nd Manpower Requirements Squadron at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.
While paying a visit with young patients March 4, Airmen brought in box loads of plush toys, arts and craft supplies, along with a surprise gift - a $4,500 donation.
While infants, children and teens enjoyed the gifts that Manas Air Base Outreach Society members consistently bring, the parents and doctors were more than overjoyed by the presentation of a life-size check made out to the Children's Heart Hospital. The generous donation will fund eight heart surgeries at approximately $560 each.
"The kids at the Heart Ward who need cardiac surgery don't seem to realize the scope of what they're up against," said Capt. Sean Brazel, 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron deputy commander.
"This was my second trip to the heart ward. I wanted to interact with local Kyrgyz nationals and lend a hand to some of the families with hopes of leaving a positive impression of Americans," said Captain Brazel.
"They don't understand that the quality of their medical facility might be considered 'run down' by many in other countries. They do however, understand the value of a good coloring book or stuffed animal and for two hours, they got to have fun with a bunch of people who spoke a different language," said Captain Brazel, who is deployed from Headquarters Air Force, Manpower and Personnel, at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.
"The general state of the hospital made me appreciate the hospitals and medical care facilities that we have in the states," said Captain Brazel. "The Heart Ward itself seemed outdated, but the staff seemed to be dedicated professionals who take exceptionally good care of their patients."
"After playing for several hours, I realized that kids are kids everywhere and they simply want to be healthy enough to play and have fun," said the Moultrie, Ga., native.
The decision to donate approximately $4,500 was all about timing. The First Four leadership group from Manas Air Base, made up of junior enlisted Airmen, donated more than $1,000 to MABOS. At the same time, there was an urgent need for eight surgeries at the Heart Hospital. Members of MABOS set up an impromptu meeting to hold an immediate vote to add the additional monies to cover the urgently-needed surgeries. The vote was unanimous "yes".
"I volunteered to go on this visit because of both my curiosity of what the facility was like and to see the treatment the kids receive," said Master Sgt. Ken Hart of the 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron.
"But, I was really looking forward to spending time with the children. I'd read and heard about the institute needing our help. I just didn't realize how vital the need was for us to be there until I spent time with the kids," he said.
"What was so enjoyable to me was the little boy that wouldn't let me stop blowing bubbles until he decided he wanted to color instead," said the native of Broken Arrow, Okla.
"The looks of gratitude from the people we visited are something a person doesn't forget," said Sergeant Hart, who is deployed from the 2nd Manpower Requirements Squadron at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.
"The general state of the hospital made me appreciate the hospitals and medical care facilities that we have in the states," he added.
"The Heart Ward itself seemed outdated, but the medical staff really appeared to be dedicated professionals who take exceptionally good care of their patients. If what we do helps make a difference in their lives, I'm glad I could be a part of it all." said Sergeant Hart, who is deployed from the 2nd Manpower Requirements Squadron at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.
