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U.S. Airmen deliver $10k of aid to Maevka Villagers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, donated $10,000 worth of household goods purchased off the local economy June 7, 2010, to families of Maevka Village whose homes were damaged or destroyed during the revolution here April 7, 2010.

Among the items were staples like flour, pasta, and oil; bedding including sheets and blankets; children's clothing; and kitchen items like plates, silverware, and cookware.

"American people were not able to stay on the sidelines and watch the tragedy in this land, without helping the people who lost their homes," said Maj. Shane Hamacher, the humanitarian assistance director for the Transit Center.

Some homes were destroyed completely during the attack, he said. A few members were left without any homestead or any goods.

"We hope to provide help to you which in the future will ensure your success, make your life a little bit easier, and hopefully provide a little bit of comfort in your daily lives," the major said. "We really hope the events you had to live through will never happen here again. We wish on the people here and the people of Kyrgyzstan peace, order and wealth. We're all neighbors."

The villagers were extremely appreciative of the costly aid the Americans delivered.
"We feel like we are not alone; we feel like everyone feels our pain," said Konstantin Aleksanrovich Kucherov, deputy director of potable water supply for the village of 7,000. "We wish the United States to blossom, and we wish you all the best. To Kyrgyzstan right now, the most important thing is peace - peace and friendship."

About 13 homes were destroyed completely, and 21 were affected in some way by the rioting, looting, burning, and unrest during the government unrest, he said.

"This will help us a lot. Now we have blankets, now we have things to cover ourselves with. The Red Cross brought some mattresses, and now we have some glass to put in the windows," the deputy director said. "Every bit helps."