Distributing school supplies helps local school and builds relations

Published Aug. 5, 2011
By 1st Lt. Abigail Wise
451 AEW Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A humanitarian aid mission does more than just provide a school with necessary supplies.

"This mission was focused on not only helping the school provide a better education to the kids but also to improve stability in the area," said Nigel, the unit commander. "We help empower the school that supports its government and the coalition, and that improves stability in the area."

This mission took place in a small rural village in southern Afghanistan.

A group of U.S. Air Force service members from Kandahar Airfield arrived at the front door of the only school in the village and surrounding areas bearing duffle bags of pens, paper, markers and various other school supplies donated by an American university alumni class.

"This school was a good choice for this mission because the school represents the change that the Afghan government encourages, and we want to show that we support their efforts," said Phil, the servicemember responsible for planning the Humanitarian Assistance mission.

The students range in age with a total of approximately 300 students, including about 60 girls. The principal of the school highly encourages families to allow their young girls to attend school because it is what the government wants.

"We're fortunate to have a school like this educating the youth that is very supportive of the Afghan government and the Coalition forces, and that they have a large attendance of kids," said the mission leader.

The first few kids were handed notebooks and pens, and they ran to show off their new possession. Within minutes more kids were peering through the doorway. They were shy at first, but once they joined the crowd of kids, and saw the pens and paper, they were unable to contain their excitement. Some would hide what they'd been given in hopes of being given more.

After some of the school supplies had been handed out, the kids helped carry the rest inside the school for storage. The items will be used during class and distributed by the principal and teacher at their discretion.

"While we provide the supplies, it will be the public school teachers, an extension of the government, distributing those supplies. This helps give more legitimacy and power to the Afghan government," said the mission leader.

Fitting with the Afghan culture of hospitality and protocol, the process of departure was not a simple 'good bye'. The principal invited the group in for tea; the mission commander politely declined. The mission commander then thanked the principal for the invite. Many thanks were passed back and forth over various topics.

"Thank you for remembering us," said the principal. A simple phrase showed the magnitude of this gesture of aid and support.

Everyone in the village will be talking about this tomorrow; it will leave a lasting impression, said the mission leader.

As we walked back to our vehicles, the kids from the school remained with us the whole way. Groups of new children, including girls dolled up and carrying infants, joined us.

They moved in packs from person to person, curious about our weapons, wanting pens, and imitating our language. They would whisper and giggle as they ran from person to person.

"You can never do enough HA missions," said Collin, another servicemember accompanying the mission. "We love being able to impact the village in a positive way and show that we're here to help."