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Airmen aid local schools with new furniture

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  Recently, more than 300 pieces of furniture left storage at the Transit Center at Manas for a new home at five different Kyrgyz schools and villages as part of ongoing humanitarian efforts between Airmen here and Kyrgyz schools.

The desks, which cost about $26,000, were loaded into trucks by the volunteer efforts of Airmen here and will benefit about 3,000 students in the local community.

"The desks were donated with the approval of the State Department," said Capt. Brett Dorey, 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron deputy commander. "The State Department grants permission for our Defense Reutilization Management Service representative to work through Counterpart International to provide humanitarian support to the host nation. Donating the desks represents a vital partnership and nation building opportunity."

During the delivery, which took two days to deliver to their final destinations, the mayor of Atbanshiskiy Local Administration was present at the Transit Center to personally thank the Airmen for their efforts. All five villages under the local administration were designated to receive the desks.
Mayor Kabyibek Beshimbekov, who also signed out the new furniture, said the desks will also be going to schools in his district thanks to these charitable Airmen's efforts. He said he couldn't wait to see the smile on the students' faces when they come back to their classrooms to find out they will be learning with better furniture.

The mayor said not too long ago, he requested the Transit Center's help with chairs and desks for some of his schools, and some weeks later he received a phone call. More than 300 desks were leaving Manas inventory to meet his needs.

"I was very happy when I got a call that Manas would be giving us over 300 desks," the mayor said. "It's a great joy to know that the Transit Center cares for our children."

According to Captain Dorey, the desks were delivered the moment they became available and that chairs would be provided once they become available.

Apart from the desks delivery, Airmen's partnership efforts and other ongoing humanitarian efforts with the local communities have fostered changes and provided relief for many Kyrgyz schools, villages and organizations in need.

"All the people of the villages are aware and glad that you (Airmen at the Transit Center) have been helping and supporting us," Mayor Beshimbekov said. "We are so thankful for these desks. We hope to continue our fruitful cooperation and partnership with the Transit Center."