Sons Of Bazaar Vendors Enjoy Morning With Kandahar Airmen
(January 27, 2010) |
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Senior Airman William Weaver and an Afghan student pose for a photo Jan. 2, 2010, at the Kandahar Airfield Bazaar School. The school is comprised of 30 to 40 Afghan children who accompany their fathers at the bazaar. Airman Weaver is a communications technician with the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. |
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (1/22/2010 - AFNS) -- More
than 20 volunteers from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing
spent the morning with more than 30 sons of Afghan vendors
Jan. 2, at the Kandahar Airfield Bazaar School.
The school, which is in session each Saturday morning, was
the idea of the Command Kandahar Airfield chief warrant
officer who wanted to offer education to the children of
Kandahar Airfield Bazaar traders. The boys, who are
generally between ages 5 and 14, work with their fathers at
the bazaar.
When school facilitators, Canadians Capt. Scott Ash and Maj.
Jen Setter, of the Kandahar Airfield School Organization
informed Master Sgt. Wenesday Traylor, the 73rd
Expeditionary Air Control Squadron first sergeant, of the
opportunity to bring out a sponsoring team for a day at the
school, Airmen excitingly volunteered and gathered donations
for the students. |
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Senior Airman William Spradlin and Senior Airman Fredrick
Mayhew, both from the 73rd EACS, used this opportunity to
deliver some of the humanitarian aid items they'd been
collecting throughout their deployment.
"We distributed flyers and information about the
humanitarian programs here at (Kandahar Airfield)," said
Airman Spradlin. "We received an amazing response and
collected thousands of items, such as school supplies,
teaching tools, cold weather clothing, games and toys." |
At 9 a.m. the Airmen gathered to set up tables and chairs
for the school and then played football, baseball and soccer
with the children. Their Afghan teacher, who was previously
a Kandahar City school teacher, provided approximately one
hour of lessons.
The team then provided activities for the children and even
though they had to be mindful of the language barrier, many
of the young boys spoke English well and could do a small
amount of translation.
"We taught them how to make paper airplanes and
helicopters," said Airman Spradlin. "We also taught them how
to fold paper footballs and even paper cups which were
filled with candy upon completion. Candy turned out to be a
big hit."
Large bags of school supply items were handed out to each
student prior to their departure. |
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Master Sgt. Wenesday Traylor and an Afghan student color together during a volunteer opportunity Jan. 2, 2010, at the Kandahar Airfield Bazaar School. Sergeant Traylor is the first sergeant for the 73rd Expeditionary Air Control Squadron. |
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At noon, the boys returned to the Bazaar to assist their
fathers. "The children seemed to enjoy being with us, and I think all
of our volunteers were happy to be a part of this project,"
Airman Spradlin said. |
By USAF SSgt. Angelique N. Smythe
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
USAF photo by Senior Airman Timothy Taylor
Copyright 2010 |
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Reprinted from
Air Force News Service
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