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Manas Airmen donate necessities to hospital, school in Kyrgyzstan

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  Manas Airmen continued their humanitarian efforts and commitment to the local community when they revisited a local hospital and a school for the deaf Oct. 31. 

Several Airmen volunteered their time to donate more than 300 mattresses, 240 beds and medical supplies to a mental hospital in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

On the same day, some of these Airmen also took a trip to another location where they put a smile on the faces of children at the Bishkek School for the Deaf, with boxes full of supplies. 

The donation to these two organizations, according to the team leader, Lt. Col. Patrick Hatting, was worth more than $20,000 thousand dollars and was a joint effort between Manas organizations and the Defense Reutilization Management Service representative, Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Sovarino Coronacion. 

"I am glad I had the pleasure of leading a charitable donation for the Transit Center at Manas," said Colonel Hatting, 376th Expeditionary Wing director of staff. "The two organizations that we made the donations to were very appreciative." 

Colonel Hatting said the Bishkek Center for Mental Health has a capacity of 500 beds. For the Transit Center to show up with a donation of 300 mattresses, it gives the hospital more mattresses to draw on, and it is a big benefit, he said. 

The officials at the hospital were stunned and elated about the quantity of hospital supplies and bedding materials delivered through the generous efforts from Manas Airmen. 

"I thought they are bringing about 100 mattresses and beds," Gusenov Talay, deputy director of the economics session for Kyrgyz Center for Mental Health. "Three hundred mattresses and 240 beds are more than enough for us. We thank you all very much for your assistance." 

Mr. Talay secretly asked one the members from the Transit Center, "Are these mattresses really given to us for free?" He looked flabbergasted when he got the answer to his question--"Yes, absolutely." 

This donation is how the Transit Center shows its appreciation and commitment to the Manas community and citizens, said a volunteer, who helped offload the bedding and supplies. 

"This is one of the best things we can do while we're here at the Transit Center," said Senior Airman David Rodriguez, 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. "It's a great impact on our community. It's good to actually be able to see the results of our work, and the smiles on people's faces, knowing that we are making a big and positive difference in the community." 

During the visit to Bishkek School for Deaf children, the Airmen were greeted by lots of smiles. 

There were obvious signs that the Airmen were welcome at the school. Shortly after they arrived, the Airmen immediately felt welcome when the children expressed thank you, hello and goodbye using sign languages. 

"Seeing the children's faces reaffirm that we are doing the right thing," said Capt. Ronnie Mack, 376th Expeditionary Medical Group administrator. "Their appreciation is obvious and their enthusiasm is contagious." 

After playing with the children, Manas Airmen presented the gift of supplies to the school principal. 

"In terms of the deaf children, a gift of paper is a big benefit for the school because it is something the children can use to draw on or print from their computers as well," Colonel Hatting added. 

Furthermore, the Airmen inquired about any other needs the school would like help with. 

According to Principal Kanykey Ajamanbaeva, the school needs assistance with their sports and wood workshop equipment and other equipment issues. 

"It is a great pleasure that Airmen at the Transit Center haven't forgotten about us," the principal said. "We are very grateful for their help."