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Manas Airmen build bonds with Bishkek babushkas

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan --  Wearing woolen coats, knitted caps, and hand-crocheted shawls, three elderly Kygryz ladies climb slowly onto a shuttle bus in downtown Bishkek.

The babushkas, or grandmas, are greeted by a cheerful "Hello, Maria! Hello, Vera! Hello Mariya!"

Manas Air Base Outreach Society volunteers have come to take them out for their monthly luncheon in downtown Bishkek. The ladies smile at their American friends who have come from the base to visit.

"I was so happy to see the joy and excitement in their eyes and in their smiles when we greeted them," said Capt. Jamie Fanning of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing.
Their opaque eyes, wrinkled faces and broad, gold-toothed smiles hide the hurt of lost children and husbands. They are all alone.

The women were "adopted" by MABOS through the Babushka Adoption Foundation, a nongovernmental organization. Each lady's monthly income averages about 700 Kyrgyz som which is less than $20 per month. Every month volunteers from Manas join the ladies for lunch to share companionship, a little financial support and a small supply of groceries.

"It is such a wonderful feeling to be able to bring happiness into the lives of others. I can't think of a better way to spend my free time, than with the babushkas," said Captain Fanning who is babushka focus group leader.

"I feel this is such an amazing opportunity to not only give assistance where is it is so desperately needed, but I also feel an amazing connection growing between myself and these three adopted grandmothers. I can't wait for the opportunity to visit with them again," said Captain Fanning who is deployed from the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and is originally from Auburn, Mass.

On this particular visit, the group celebrated International Women's Day which is held March 8 each year. The babushkas all agreed that it is a very important holiday and is held in high regard. Even when they were just little girls, they were treated like queens for a day by their fathers and in later life by their lovers.

To celebrate the occasion, the MABOS members gave the babushkas colorful new scarves. The ladies in turn, despite their meager monthly stipend, gave the dinner guests chocolates, scarves, neck ties, hankies and even some stockings.

As the chattering group awaits their meals, family photographs are passed around. Despite the language barrier, the pictures open up the understanding of each other's lives - of who one's family is, where one's family comes from.

Janyl Sabirova, who is a Russian medical translator working with the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group, has gone on many visits with the babushkas over the past three years.

"I used to go to the different orphanages, cancer center and heart ward, but I liked the babushka's project more," she said.

"I admire these ladies, who underwent many severe trials, like the ordeals of the wartime and the loss of their beloved ones. They have worked so hard to survive," said Ms. Sabirova. "They never complain about life and all the difficulties they encounter every day. They manage to think positive, have self pride and have great senses of humor," she said.

"I enjoy seeing them happy when the people from the base come and visit them. They are very appreciative and they care a lot about friends they make during these visits," said Ms. Sabirova.

"I am so happy that MABOS supports these lonely ladies who so deserve to be taken care of," said Ms. Sabirova. "I know that being with these ladies makes a big difference in their lives.

"Giving them happiness and enjoyment in life helps them survive," she said.

Soon, it was time for a full-course spread, starting with warm nan bread and hot tea. Fresh salads and simmered lentil soup were followed by main courses such as lamb kebabs, fresh, flavorful vegetables and rice.

While Ms. Sabirova barely gets to eat her meal during these visits, she is pleased to be able to be the communication link between the Americans and the Babushkas. She is able to share the babushkas stories with the Americans and that is the most meaningful.

"I always try not to worry about the small stuff," said Vera Wolf, who is dressed smartly in a tan and orange, knit dress that she says she has had for some 30 years and it "still fits her perfectly". She began working on a farm when she was 17, then as a baker. She retired after 35 years as a saleswoman. The 78-year-old takes daily walks to keep up her strength and help her feel youthful.

Maria K. (who doesn't want her neighbors to know she is being assisted), wears her graying hair in a matronly bun. She too is full of life. Maria never had any children, but dearly loved her husband.

"I never had an argument with my husband," she said. "For some reason I always knew there was no point to be angry. One must keep a positive attitude to solve problems without conflict," said the 88-year-old mathematician who taught school most her adult life. Still today, she occasionally volunteers to teach students at nearby schools.

The elder, Mariya Ruhlova, who will turn 80 in April, was once very cheerful and outgoing but, over the past year, she has been sad and lonesome, said Ms. Sabirova. Her brother, and only family member left in her world, passed away, and she hasn't been quite the same.

"I am very lonely at times and sit inside crying. Only when the Americans come to visit do I feel happy," said Mariya. "That's what keeps me going," she said.

After a meal fit for the 'queens' whose plight, or fight, for their livelihood and dignity is eased once again if just for a day. But, the hope is that the good feelings will last the whole month through until the next visit.

After the dinner plates were cleared away, Mariya serenaded the guests with a mournful Russian song of lost love. Her blue eyes drifted to times past. She clasped her hands to her heart, her soulful, voice unwavering.

"There was never a moment of awkward silence, only stories, laughter and song," said Senior Airman Paul Cummings, 376th EMDG.

"I will continue to visit the grandmothers as much as I can until I leave this place," he said. "I like the stories from their life experiences and they treat me like their grandsons whom they miss and no longer have," said Airman Cummings, who is deployed from the 81st Medical Group at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and is originally from Apache Junction, Ariz.

"Every time I visit them, I get closer to them and learn more about them and the lives they've lived in the former Soviet Union," said Airman Cummings.

The Babushka Adoption Foundation is a charitable non-governmental organization whose goal is to provide support for elderly who have no family members who can provide support. A sponsor can adopt an elderly person for about $10 per month, which helps to provide clothing, food, medical care and other necessities.

"I decided to visit with the Babushkas because their situation is similar to my son's great-grandmother, who lives in Novosibirsk, Russia," said Chaplain (Maj.) Derek Wolter, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing.

"The missionary community there has embraced her and has given her a sense of family. My son, Staas, who was adopted in Russia, is her only living relative," said Chaplain Wolter.

"I wanted to be able to do the same thing for the women here," said Chaplain Wolter who is deployed from the Missouri Air National Guard's 131st Fighter Wing in St. Louis. The Milwaukee native is a chaplain with the Department of Veterans Affairs at Jefferson Barracks VA Center in St. Louis.

"I certainly hope to go again, as many times as the opportunity arises. The idea of "community" is important in this part of the world, and if a relationship is started and friendship is proclaimed, then it is important to keep those ties strong and active," he said. "Also, and most importantly, I just really enjoyed being with the women," said Chaplain Wolter.

Throughout the visit, the babushkas continuously hugged and kissed each of the Airmen with affection as strong as they had once given their own children.

"Spending time with the Babushkas connects me with my grandmother back home who I miss dearly. Last time we told them goodbye Maria got teary-eyed and I told her, 'Don't cry you have made me very happy today,'" said Capt. Steve Martin, 376th Air Expeditionary Medical Group administrator.

"I hope that somewhere on the other side of the world, someone is visiting my grandmother who is in a nursing home," he said. "I hope they're taking her to lunch and making her smile and laugh," said Captain Martin, who is deployed from the 355th Medical Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., and is originally from Beaumont, Texas.
"I would not trade this experience for the world," he said.

As the visit came to an end, the bond between the babushkas and Airmen had grown even stronger. Saying good bye was not easy.

"When I was a kid, I was taken away from my parents by CPS (Child Protective Services) and put in foster care. It was a real hard time for me, but what helped me the most through that time was a senior lady who took me in and became my foster grandma," said Airman 1st Class Jeremy Bowen who is assigned to the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron.

"Since that time I have always had a special love for grandmas," said the 22-year-old Airman.

"I think the thing I enjoyed the most about this trip was seeing how happy we made them, even though the language barrier was tough. It was just an amazing experience all together, said Airman Bowen, who is deployed from the 92nd Operations Support Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and is originally from Hyde Park, Utah.

"I had a wonderful time and would love to do it again," he said. "I think everyone should take the opportunity to spend some time with them," said Airman Bowen.