humanitarian

San Diego (Sept. 29, 2006) - The Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) returns home from a five month humanitarian relief mission to South and Southeast Asia. The ship and her crew completed a five-month humanitarian relief mission to South and Southeast Asia where here crew treated over 60,000 people. Mercy’s mission was carried out by volunteers from Project HOPE and Aloha Medical Mission, International Relief Team, along, with a contingent of military medical specialist form the United States, India, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore and Canada. Mercy’s U.S. Military crew consists of medical teams from the Navy, Air Force and Army. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cale Bentley (RELEASED)

LOOK AT YOU - U.S. Army Maj. Becky Morris, commander of Charlie Company, 486th Civil Affairs, shows local children a photo she took of them during her visit to Gulu, Uganda, Jan. 23, 2008, with members of Business Executives for National Security. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacqueline Kabluyen

BAN NAM YIEN, Thailand -- U.S. Navy Seabees and Thailand Army Soldiers build a school together here. This is one of six construction sites being built for the Thai community as part of Cobra Gold 2004. Cobra Gold 2004 is a joint-combined U.S.-Thai military exercise that includes combined air, land, naval and special operations as well as medical civil affairs projects throughout the Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo)

BAGHDAD (Army News Service, Oct. 23, 2003) -- Thirty-two physicians from across Baghdad are being taught Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics by 1st Armored Division doctors. “We have been very delayed during the last 13 years after the Gulf War in the latest medical treatment procedures,” said Shahwani. “We need to be in touch with new advances in obstetrics and gynecology.” With hands-on training and the latest information, the nearly all-female course participants will soon be able to teach fellow physicians, residents and midwives procedures that could curb the number of deaths attributed to bleeding during pregnancy and delivery, said. Lt. Col. Mark Harris, 1st Armored Division’s deputy division surgeon. MORE

10/23/2003 - BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- In a valley, children sat in groups of 20 outdoors to learn. They are minuscule compared to the majestic mountains that surround them. One teacher, wearing a mix of traditional Afghani clothes and a Salvation Army dress coat, used his bicycle to prop up a chalkboard to teach writing. Air Force Print News by Tech. Sgt. Orville F. Desjarlais Jr

Release Date: 10/22/2003 10:58:00 PM
By Sgt. Matthew B. Roberson, Combined Joint Task Force -Horn of Africa Public Affairs

HURSO, Ethiopia (NNS) -- Servicemembers from Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF)- Horn of Africa (HOA) performed their largest Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP) in the Horn of Africa region here, treating more than 2,970 patients over a three-day period. This was the first time the 478th Civil Affairs Battalion (Special Operations) Army Reserve unit worked with the Navy's Expeditionary Medical Unit (EMU), the Navy's Forward Resuscitative Surgical Team (FRST) and host nation doctors and to complete a humanitarian mission in the region.

Army Maj. Jean P. Fleurantin, MEDCAP officer-in-charge, said having all these assets available for the first time made it possible for CJTF-HOA personnel to treat a record number of patients said. "I think we had an amazing turnout in Hurso as far as the amount of people we were able to see," Fleurantin said. "Without the Navy's and host nation doctor's help, we couldn't have a MEDCAP. We are only the planners with a few medics on staff to do triage and meds."

With the help of the Navy and host nation doctors, the number of patients treated during the MEDCAP exceeded the number expected by more than 1,000. "We had originally passed out cards to see 500 people per day, which would have been 1,500," Fleurantin said. "We had so many people show up without cards that we had no other choice but to see them since we had the time. "Even seeing close to 3,000, we still had to turn down about 500 people each day," he continued.

"The last day when we closed the gates, we had a lot of people still waiting outside that we just didn't have the ability to see." "Having so many people still left needing treatment shows the CA [civil affairs] team two major things," Fleurantin said. "It tells us that the team we had down there did a very good job of spreading the word and getting the people to trust us. It also shows us that we need a continued presence in that area."

"If you look at MEDCAPs in the past, we had lower turnouts, because the people in those areas didn't trust us and what we were doing," Fleurantin said. According to Cmdr. William M. Hall, internal medicine specialist and executive officer-in-charge of Navy EMU, being able to treat a large majority of the population goes a long way toward strengthened relations with the local community. "I think being out here significantly increases relations between us and the Ethiopians," he said. "They see us working and taking care of them, and even if we don't cure everybody, we will cure some and that is a positive aspect of us being here."

At the MEDCAP, doctors treated patients with illnesses ranging from tuberculosis to malaria, some so severe they couldn't be cured. "Common things you see in a tropical region like this with poor water and primary care are diarrhea, respiratory diseases, dehydration and then your typical diseases of the tropics; malaria, worm diseases (whatever they might be) and tuberculosis," Hall said. "Treatments we handed out were standard anti-malaria. We gave hydration orally and intravenously, and we passed out anti-bacterials for respiratory infections," he continued.

"The biggest problem we saw were quite a few cases of tuberculosis, some so severe we couldn't provide treatment, because we didn't have the medications for it. There are programs in the local region, but for some reason, we still saw a lot of cases of tuberculosis." Hall said he was pleased with the care his team was able to provide, but also stated the biggest benefit was going to come from having a continued presence in the region. "The most benefit is going to come from what we're doing in the Horn-of-Africa region now; being a constant forward deployed presence," he said. "There is no substitute for being there all the time, and that involves establishing a constant presence and not just through MEDCAPs."

The children from the village of Anguran watch as the medics set up their medical stations, Oct. 9, 2003. U.S. and Romanian troops from Kandahar Army Airfield, Afghanistan conduct a Combined Medical Assistance Exercise mission where members of the 486th Civil Affairs, 10th Mountain Military Police Company, 308th Tactical Psychological Operations Company, and Charlie Med 10th Forward Support Battalion visit the village of Anguran to provide the villagers with medical aid and distribute food supplies.(U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Hugo A. Baray-Vasquez)

Navy Lt. Todd Orren, chaplain, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, and Kennewick, Wash., native, plays a game of up and down with one of the infants of the Lotus Children Centre. Photo by: Cpl. Michael D. Darbouze

Capt. Wendy Linderborg, head nurse of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Camp Bondsteel's Army Hospital, visits with an ill baby's mother in the pediatric ICU of Gjilan Hospital in Kosovo. Soldiers of Bondsteel's Task Force Medical Falcon visit the hospital once a week to teach classes, perform surgeries with local doctors, and visit the sick and abandoned children there. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Heidi Schaap.

Operation Adopt-a-Village brings America to Iraq
By Pfc. Joshua Hutcheson
September 15, 2003

MOSUL, Iraq (Army News Service, Sept. 15, 2003) – The 426th Forward Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is using care packages as a way to build bridges with the people of Iraq. Under Operation Adopt-a-Village, the 426th is collecting and sorting care packages to be given to people in two local villages, said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Kelley, battalion commander.

Col. Ben Hodges, commander, 1st Brigade, 327th Infantry Regiment, shared the idea of finding cities in America who would send care packages to Iraqis with Kelley.“I thought it was a great idea because people of the United States want to support, and we’ve had nothing but support from the people back home,” Kelley said.

Kelley sent his company commanders out to find villages that would benefit the most from the items sent from America. The requirements for the villages were that they had to need assistance in basic everyday items, like school supplies and books, Kelley said.“The hard part was picking the villages, there are so many out there,” he said.

They settled on two villages, one Iraqi and one Kurdish, each with a population of roughly 1,500, said Capt. Charles Atanasio, 426th chaplain.Atanasio is in charge of finding cities in America to participate in Adopt-a-Village. His work with the adopt-a-platoon Web site made him the best candidate to locate American cities, he said.

So far the town of Salem, Utah has signed on and has begun to send care packages. Atanasio also found people in Minnesota and a man who owns a car dealership in Tennessee who have decided to help.“There’s been a tremendous amount of support,” Atanasio said. “I believe we’re planting the seeds of hope and peace in Iraq.”The program is just getting on its feet, but care packages and supporters are trickling in.

“I probably have 20 to 25 boxes right now,” Atanasio said.The packages contain books, school supplies, soccer balls and other sports equipment, canned food, toiletry items and other items.Atanasio is pleased by the show of caring by the Americans and wants to help the Iraqis by “providing comfort and peace,” during the current period of change all over the country, he said.

“(The soldiers) want peace to last here,” Atanasio said. “The people here must understand we have their best interest at heart. It’s just being a good neighbor.”Anyone interested in helping the 426th’s Adopt-a-Village program in Iraq can contact Atanasio at charles.john.atanasio@us.army.m

KRTSANISI, Georgia(Sept. 2, 2003) -- U.S. Marines and Soldiers from the Georgia Train and Equip Program donated close to 100 pairs of new shoes and school supplies to the children of the Dzegvi Children's Center Sept. 1. After collecting over 1000 lari (approx. $500) around camp at Advanced Operating Base, Krtsanisi, the Task Force GTEP volunteers headed to the orphanage to play basketball and soccer with the children in their newly purchased shoes. In a developing nation where resources are scarce, many of these children were desperately in need of clothing and shoes that fit properly. Continued --Story by 1st Lt. Justin M. Colvin.

Capt. Mary J. Literski, a nurse with the 452nd Combat Support Hospital in Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, treats Zahida, a young Afghani girl who lost her leg to a landmine. The efforts of U.S. medics and blood donated by four Soldiers saved the girl's life. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephanie Hall.

Release Date: 8/5/2003 11:52:00 AM
By Lt. Cmdr. John Garofolo, Naval Coastal Warfare Group 1

UMM QASR, Iraq (NNS) -- Reservists assigned to Naval Coastal Warfare Group (NCWG) 1 returned to the southern Iraqi city of Umm Qasr to deliver school supplies and child-sized picnic tables to children in this poverty-stricken community. During major combat operations, Naval Coastal Warfare (NCW) units provided port security and harbor defense at the port of Umm Qasr.

The Sailors from NCW delivered the supplies to one of the schools in Umm Qasr and interacted with many of the town’s children, who were naturally interested in the convoy. When final exams were completed for the day, the Sailors passed out packages to the students and teachers. After the visit to the school, the convoy made another stop at the Umm Qasr Town Council. The Sailors delivered the rest of the boxes of supplies to the Council Leader so they could be distributed to other local schools.

“This was a great opportunity for our families back at home to help us do something really positive for the people of Iraq,” said Capt. Mike Shatynski, commanding officer of the Long Beach, Calif.,-based Harbor Defense Command Unit (HDCU) 114 and the force security officer for the Port of Ash Shuaybah, Kuwait. “I know the people at home and the troops were both really excited about this humanitarian mission.”

The project started when Shatynski’s wife, Valorie, and her friend Nona Reimer developed a plan to aid Iraqi school children. Reimer, who is on the faculty of John Malcom Elementary School in Laguna Niguel, Calif., got her students excited about helping Iraqi school children. The students assembled 200 packets containing pencils, crayons, papers and other school supplies. Additionally, each package included a personal note from the student who put it together.

Lt. Greg Settelmayer from HDCU-114 also had a conversation with his wife about the needs of the Iraqi children. Previously, Settelmayer had been a part of the Naval Coastal Warfare forces operating in Iraq, and had made valuable contacts with U.S. Army Civil Affairs personnel and town residents of Umm Qasr. Settelmayer’s wife, Suzanne, and his sister, Ann Mazzeo, contacted the parishioners of their church, Our Mother of Confidence, San Diego. Church members and a local school group gathered 26 boxes of school supplies.

Thanks to a parishioner who donated the $800 needed to pay for shipping, the boxes were shipped to the NCW forces operating in the northern Arabian Gulf. To complete the project, Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate David Garza had a team from Inshore Boat Unit (IBU) 15 from Corpus Christi, Texas, constructed 16 mini-picnic tables. The IBU 15 Sailors built the tables during their off-watch time.

Navy chaplains from San Diego also provided support to the NCW humanitarian mission. Father Francis Foley, who was a chaplain in Kuwait during the war, coordinated with the Navy chaplain’s offices in Bahrain and San Diego. Catholic, Protestant and Methodist churches of the greater San Diego area sent donations. Lt. Cmdr. (CHC) Paul Shaughnessy, chaplain aboard USS Belleau Wood (LHA 2), on assignment in Kuwait, accompanied the convoy.

On the long drive back through the Kuwaiti desert, Shatynski reflected on the day’s events, stating, “I’m really delighted with the way things came together. Schools and churches stateside shipped these supplies, some Sailors found scrap lumber from war material and built mini-picnic tables in their spare time, then a bunch of Reservists delivered it all to kids in Umm Qasr. It shows real American spirit.”

Information Technician 2nd Class Elizabeth Kelch, who participated in the delivery, observed, “I’m a firm believer if you get people working together, the world would be a better place. I think being here today allowed me to help make a little bit of progress toward that.” Units participating in the NCW humanitarian mission were HDCU-114, IBU-15, NCWG-1 staff and Commander Maritime Pre-positioned Force, Kuwait.

ABOARD THE USS FORT MCHENRY(July 20, 2003) -- He is a Marine 24-hours-a-day. At home, he is a husband and father of two children. Although he loves children, his work does not usually afford him the opportunity to spend an entire day with 'little ones' - learning, teaching and having fun. While on a deployment to Vladivostok, Russia though, Sgt. Joshua J. Willis, Fox Platoon commander for Headquarters and Service Battalion, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, was given that opportunity. He volunteered his time to demonstrate his job to nearly 45 children, ages 12 to 16, from the Vladivostok Group Home. The children came aboard the USS Fort McHenry July 5, to meet with Marines and Sailors, tour the ship, eat in the mess hall and view the static displays. The children also received hands-on time with the weapons and vehicles and were given the opportunity to 'look like a Marine,' with face painting

Although nervous to get their faces 'dirty,' they were assured the paint would wipe off. They then anxiously waited for their turn. Although this was not Willis? first experience working with children in the military, he said it would probably be his most memorable. "It was the first time I have worked with orphans. It is disturbing and makes you wonder why the children are in that position, all I want to do is try to cheer them up and let them have fun," the Gardner, Mass., native said. According to Tatiana Kiesnekaska, a counselor with the orphanage, the children were excited to come to the ship and meet Marines. "The children knew about two weeks in advance that they were going to have this chance. They couldn't wait for the day to arrive," Kiesnekaska said. Willis said he is proud to help out and hopefully make a difference in their lives. "It is rewarding to know that the kids got an opportunity to do something like this. Most kids, unless they grew up around the military, wouldn't get a chance to do something like this," Willis added.

Kiesnekaska said the children do not get a chance to do things like this very often and she hopes they will not only learn from the experience but also enjoy themselves. She also said that this visit was good because it shows the future generation the good relationship between the U.S. and Russia. Willis explained that the most important thing when dealing with children is to let them have fun until they cannot go anymore as long as they are safe. "I had a blast, everyone should try to volunteer their time to help kids because you never know when you will make a difference in a young person's life," Willis said. Story by Sgt. Danny L. Patterson

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, recently shifted their aim from military targets to humanitarian aid, delivering more than 200 rations and buckets of candy to children in villages outside Fallujah, Iraq. The soldiers drove through the winding, rural streets of the villages waving to everyone they saw. They stopped their humvees and armored track vehicles where crowds gathered, and handed out rations and candy. The children swarmed the soldiers and their vehicles.

By Spc. Ryan Smith - BAGHDAD (Army News Service, July 10, 2003) - A captain is walking the streets of Baghdad looking for homeless kids who would be willing to go to an orphanage. Concerned civilian journalists who stay in the nearby hotels first brought the problem of homeless children to the attention of Capt. Stacey Simms, a Civil Affairs team leader. One of the obstacles that Simms faces in trying to help these children is that they were often treated poorly in state-run homes, he said. They were threatened and frequently abused. Simms is with the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, an Army Reserve unit from Greensboro, N.C. Unfortunately, there is little Simms can do for kids who refuse to leave the streets, except to return later to provide them whatever assistance he can.

"I can only help people who are willing to help themselves," Simms said. Near a U.S. military checkpoint outside the Palestine Hotel, Simms met Amar, an 11-year-old boy who said he does not know his family. Amar, who wore a filthy T-shirt that would have been baggy on a large adult, said he survives by begging for food and water off of soldiers and other people around the hotels.
The boy once lived at a government-run institution for juvenile delinquents and homeless children in Baghdad, but left at the start of the war when the home was shut down. Amar said that he did not want to go back to an orphanage because he was afraid of being beaten. A teenager that Simms spoke to said that he was beaten for joking around with other children at Dar al Rahma. If the children could have seen the conditions at the two orphanages that Simms visited July 3, it might have changed their minds. Simms visited two Catholic homes for girls in Baghdad. One was at the Saint Hannah church; the other was the Zapharania orphanage.

Both orphanages are home to girls ages 6 and up, and needed supplies and repairs. But they were in relatively good condition, compared with other places in the city, Simms said. Neither was damaged badly by combat or looting. The nuns that run the orphanages told Simms of their needs - food, plumbing repairs, air conditioning, clothes, and so on - they also said the girls were excited to meet American soldiers. Their needs will be met by a number of different organizations, Simms said. The military, along with private organizations, will begin to provide assistance as soon as possible. Simms plans to return to both orphanages soon to further assess their needs and to help them with their supply and repair issues. "We see the results almost immediately," he said. "It's incredibly rewarding. It's my life's work while I'm here." (Editor's note: Spc. Ryan Smith is a journalist with the 372nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment in Iraq.)

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler Story Identification Number: 200362519932
Story by Cpl. John F. Silwanus.
Re-published from U.S.M.C. Web Site News

PATTAYA, Thailand (June 24, 2003) -- Lance Cpl. Osmar Araujo signed up to help with a community-relations project in Thailand while he was still aboard the USS HARPERS FERRY Landing Ship Dock 49 class. He knew the ship would arrive in port soon and he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to see some of the Thai community, and to be of service in any way he could. Araujo, an infantryman with 3rd Platoon, I Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, now attached to Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, had many reasons to join the project, but probably the most important being his faith. As he approached the Mercy Children's Center, Araujo, whose strong faith has taken him many places, knew his beliefs had led him to yet another interesting place. He said as he stood in front of the building he felt honored. Honored, he said, to be a part of a group of servicemembers so willing to help others.

As his eyes scanned the children's center, Araujo knew there was a lot of work to be done. He could not wait to get started and serve beside his fellow servicemembers in an effort to improve the facilities before him. Araujo and 34 other Marines, Sailors and crewmembers of the USS HARPERS FERRY spent the day with the Mercy Children's Center staff improving the landscape and the facilities. "This event gives the Marines and Sailors of LF CARAT a chance to see how the people of Thailand really live," said Lt. Michael Peyton, chaplain, LF CARAT. "Many times when servicemembers travel to Thailand they get caught up in the glitz and glamour of Pattaya Beach and don't really get a chance to see the rest of the country."

The eager group of LF CARAT Marines and Sailors cleaned up the center rather easily. The Marines concentrated their efforts on painting two rooms inside the center and the cleaning the landscape of a playground outside the center. "It was a great feeling to get out there and help do this work for the children," said Cpl. Nestor Cruz, mortarman, Weapons Platoon, I Company. "The work they had for us seemed minimal to us, but I am sure that it meant a lot to them. I wish we could have done more for them." Many of the servicemembers who attended the cleanup felt as if the tasks were accomplished rather quickly, but this was to be expected.

"We had such a great turnout from the Marines and Sailors that we simply had more workers than they had work," Peyton said. "Having too many people is kind of a nice problem, because that means we have many servicemembers who want to reach out to the community." Araujo and other servicemembers said the only thing about the experience they would had liked to have seen done differently would be to have had some of the children there to spend time with. Other than that, he said the servicemembers felt the project was a success. "I think we did them a great service in the time we had," Cruz said. "It is the best feeling in the Marine Corps to help out those who are not as fortunate as we are. Contributing like this makes me want to go out and help every time a project like this comes up."

Araujo echoed Cruz's statements and said he believes the U.S. military community outreach efforts he gets involved in help him realize more about himself. "Helping out with those who are less fortunate helps me realize how very blessed we are to live in a country with the freedoms we have and the many benefits we enjoy on a daily basis," Araujo said. "I think it brings out the best in everyone when they come out to an event like this. I hope everyone on this float gets a chance to do a community event before we head back to Okinawa." Araujo said he knows his faith and devotion to God will draw him into more events, and he said he will gladly join in.

COCHIN, India - USS Gary commanding officer, Cmdr. Tito Dua, a native of Bareilly, India, has a homecoming of sorts as he speaks with reporters aboard his ship. The Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates USS Gary (FFG 51) and USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) arrived in Cochin, India. The ships are returning to Japan after participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Arabian Gulf. The two ships' approximately 600 Sailors will have a chance to participate in friendship and goodwill activities such as community service projects. (U.S. Navy photo) Source: U.S. Pacific Command Web Site News...

Staff Sgt. Jason M. Webb MCB Camp Butler - In this city where elephants roam the highways and neon lights guide vacationers down seedy alleyways, young abandoned children are often forgotten. But one place, nestled between smoking open-air markets and trash-riddled roads, functions as a ...Full Story

Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division, which fought its way from Kuwait to Baghdad, now patrol the streets of the Iraqi capital to safeguard the safety of Iraqi citizens. Tankers of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, are helping to make sure that female students at a high school located near their checkpoint are not abducted or harmed after classes end. MORE

030408-M-5607A-013 Central Command Area of Responsibility (Apr. 8, 2003) -- Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Maureen Smith assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron Two Seventy-One (MWSS-271) examines an Iraqi baby during a humanitarian visit to an Iraqi village. Clean water and medical care were part of the humanitarian aid provided in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraqi's weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alicia M. Anderson. (RELEASED)

Army Staff Sgt. David Bennett - I Marine Expeditionary Force - Inside the small six-room schoolhouse, Navy Seabees and local villagers mill around a sand pile with shovels stirring cement grout and water. The school building is decrepit now, but in two weeks stakeholders hope the building renovation will be --

Full Story . . . (Submitted on: 05/07/2003) Re-published from U.S.M.C.

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa
Re-published from U.S.M.C. News
Story by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti (May 3, 2003) -- Nearly 80 service members, here in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, visited youngsters living at the girls' orphanage here during an open house May 1 to build better relationships with the local community. "After a lot of talking with the director of the orphanage, we were able to set up the open house to give the men and women at Camp Lemonier (one of CJTF-HOA's bases of operations) the chance to get to know some of the Djiboutian people," said Capt. Ronald M. Klose, the chaplain for Command Logistics Element, Marine Central Command. During the morning visit, the troops were able to tour the facility.

Klose went on to say, "They showed us where the girls sleep and eat. We also saw what the girls make, such as ceramics, clothing and baskets." The orphanage is home to 300 girls ranging from ages 5 to 25 years old. To prepare the children for life outside of the orphanage's walls, they are taught practical skills like sewing, baking and basket weaving. Yonis Aouad Djana, the director of the facility explained, "It's really good for the girls to see that there are people other than Djiboutians that care about what they are up to and how they live. The children like to see that other people are interested in the things they (the girls) make. It's encouraging."

The visit was extremely important for helping the girls realize that life does exist outside of Djibouti. Because most of their interaction is with the people of this small, east-African country, the girls' perspective of the world is limited to their own language and culture, according to Djana. "It's so great that the Americans came out to spend time with the girls," he said. "Now they are starting to understand different people of the world. Not everyone speaks our language and does things the same way we do." However, there was one aspect of the visit the girls had to adapt to. Because the orphanage is restricted to females, the kids have had very little exposure to men.

Djana explained, "There are 300 girls here, and the only men here are me and the few that come to help around here. So now the girls are learning that men are good people, too." After the children were able to overcome their shyness, the girls began to interact with the men just as they were with the women. "I'm really glad I got the chance to come out and play with the kids," said Staff Sgt. Neil Hebert, CLE administration chief. "Hopefully, they'll see that we just want to build a relationship of trust, hope and faith." According to Klose, this visit has not been the first to the orphanage, nor will it be the last. For the past few weeks, a group of troops has been traveling to the orphanage to play soccer with the girls. "We've been beat to the ground during the last few soccer games," Klose mused. "But it's not about winning or losing, so we'll keep going out and having a good time with the girls."

Submitted by: Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa
Story Identification Number: 2003419672
Story by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald

DORALE, Djibouti (April 19, 2003) -- Troops from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa recently began a project to repair the water system of the school here where there has been no running water for some time forcing school officials to buy water. One hundred eighty children attend the facility. According to Abdoulkader Iman Aden, the school's director, the original water piping was installed in 1973 and hasn't been maintained since 1982. Aden went on to say, "The school hasn't had running water for many years. We've been having all of the water transported to the school by truck." School officials are paying 100 Djiboutian francs (roughly $0.70) per 180 liters of water to have it delivered to the school. Aden estimated the personnel at the school use about 1,000 liters of water a day during the winter and about 1,600 liters during the summer.

"A while ago, some Americans came to the village and asked the chief what we really needed," explained Aden. "Of course, we told them we desperately needed running water at the school." "Our goal is to reinstall the entire water system of the school," said project manager Marine Maj. Chuck Risio, camp assistant operations officer. "We also have a few other smaller repairs we will do there." Once the supplies were available, Risio, of Boalsburg, Pa., and his crew, including volunteers from the village, were able to begin the project. "When we first looked at what we needed to get done, we saw they needed to have the whole system rebuilt. Their pump was dead and the pipes had water left in them from when they were being used," recounted Risio.

At the end of the month-long project, Risio hopes to have a new pump, cistern (holding tank) and nearly 120 meters of piping installed. Aden commented, "We're really happy the Americans are fixing our water for us because it will help keep the kids healthy. Since we don't have running water, the kids can't wash their hands whenever they need to. I think being able to keep the children healthy will be the biggest benefit. " Besides repairing the school's water system, the troops will also repair the children's eating area, which was damaged by a recent storm. "We're going to repair the roof where the kids eat so they can have shade," said Risio.
"Plus we're going to fence in the area. Our hope is to make the school a better place for the kids to learn."

The volunteers also learned of another problem the whole village shares, and they hope to resolve it as well. Army Staff Sgt. James King, CJTF-HOA engineer plans chief, said, "Right now, a lot of the villagers are dropping buckets attached to rope down into a well to get water, so we're also planning to add a hand pump which will make it a lot easier for the villages to get water."

MSSG-15 Offers 'Pure' Humanitarian Assistance
Submitted by: 15th MEU -- Story by SSgt. Robert Knoll

AN NASIRIYAH, Iraq (April 8, 2003) -- Using some of their unique capabilities, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) recently assisted Iraqi citizens get one of their most precious resources -- water. READ STORY

PHOTO CREDIT: Women and children carefully balance water in containers after receiving water from the MEU Service Support Group 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Specical Operations Capable) water distribution point. Photo by: CWO2 William Hutson......

NADAG, Djibouti -- Djiboutian elementary school children hold bags of snacks provided by Marines from Command Logistics Element, Marine Central Command here March 18. The Marines are supporting Combined Joint Task Force -- Horn of Africa whose mission is to help defeat terrorism in east Africa. Photo by: Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi.

NADAG, Djibouti -- Cpl. Daniel Whitt, legal chief, staff judge advocate section, Command Logistics Element, Marine Central Command, shows his camera to a Djiboutian elementary school student here. Whitt and two other Marines delivered food to the children here March 18. The Marines are supporting Combined Joint Task Force -- Horn of Africa who are here to defeat terrorism in the Horn of Africa region. Photo by: Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi.

Feyzabad, Afghanistan — A U.S. military Chinook helicopter stands ready to receive medical supplies and whooping cough vaccine donated by the World Health Organization. U.S. officials approved a request by the organization to carry three doctors and enough vaccine to treat 2,000 people to Badhakshan Province, in northern Afghanistan, where an outbreak of whooping cough had claimed the lives of between 70 and 200 children.

Two doctors were from the Afghan Ministry of Public Health and one was from the Aga Khan Development Foundation. Treating the children was complicated by the fact that travel takes three days by horse or mule to get over the mountains to the affected area. The only other way in is via helicopter. However, the altitude is such that most helicopters can’t fly that high because the air is too thin to provide lift. The affected region is 15,000 feet above sea level. Going over the mountains by pack animal was out of the question simply because the vaccine becomes inert after being un-refrigerated for more than 48 hours. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Marie Schult.

TOYS FOR TOTS — Members of the 513 Fixed Wing Marine Aircraft, Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz., visit the village of Dawlatshahi Thursday to drop off enough toys and clothes for 3,000-4,000 people. Unit members and their families made the donations through the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots Program. U.S. Army photo by Pvt. 2 Terri Rorke

CJTF-HOA personnel construct food storage facility for Djiboutians
Re-published from U.S.M.C. Web Site News:
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa
Story by Cpl. Matthew J. Apprendi

NADAG, Djibouti(Mar. 4, 2003) -- Service members from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa completed construction of a food storage facility during a four-day civil affairs effort here Feb. 27. The need was identifed by Hachim Ali Said, director of Nagad School. Before the new food storage facility was completed, the community stored food and other supplies inside their school, which took up valuable learning space.

"It's a big encouragement to know by the time the children start class here Saturday morning all of the supplies will be out of their way," said Said. After receiving Said's request, the CJTF-HOA civil affairs section formed a team and located all of the construction needs for the project.

"At first we didn't have a clue where to find the material," said Staff Sgt. James King, engineer plans chief, CJTF-HOA, "but it all came together when we found a bunch of leftover material on base from when the tents were built." Once this was accomplished, they utilized a decommissioned cement cistern, located behind the school, as the foundation. With chisels and hammers, they pecked at the wall of the cistern to create an opening for a doorway.

The wall came crashing down, along with a surprise as nearly a dozen fast-moving lizards rushed out. The eviction notice was in - the abandoned cistern was no more. Finally, with previously constructed walls scavenged from the base, the team members enclosed the building. Then they added a roof with a metal coating, and inside they built numerous shelves to hold the food. From seemingly nothing, they created a vital new structure for the village.

"Considering the fact we started out with no supplies or a team," King said, "I'd have to say everything worked out and we ended up doing a great job." It wasn't "all work and no play" either for the team. While they were there, they challenged the children to a game of soccer. They chose the wrong sport though because, the U.S. service members lost by seven points.

"We wanted to make it a positive experience for everybody - the villagers and our team," said Sgt. 1st Class Steven P. Ruscitto, civil affairs chief, CJTF-HOA, who hails from Sylvan Beach, N.Y. "We interacted with the children as much as we could. It's a nice break from work, plus we all had a fun time."

"(I'm) just glad I'm able to see and be a part of a positive impact to a local community," said Lance Cpl. Thomas Gilbert, infantryman, 3rd platoon, Company A, Command Logistics Element.

Airmen raise $1,800 for orphans
By Master Sgt. Joe Bela -- 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

02/13/03 - OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (AFPN) -- Members of the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, delivered more than $1,800 in goods to an orphanage in nearby Bishkek recently. The goods included 70 comforters, 10 sets of bed sheets, five floor heaters, four cassette tape players, clothes, and music and video tapes, as well as a variety of sundries for orphaned children living in the capital city. All the goods were purchased and delivered the same day by eight members of the organization.

Purchased by members of the 376th ESFS Airmen's Council, the humanitarian aid is bound for children who have been abandoned. Security forces airmen sponsored different activities to raise funds. "The money came from everywhere. All the members of the squadron contributed to the fund-raiser," council president Senior Airman Randolph Radosevich said. "People set up tournaments and other events; others personally donated the money," he said.

"Some members of our unit crafted bracelets, lanyards and key chains ... to help us raise even more money," he said. "This is something we did not only for security forces, but also for the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing and all of the coalition forces here," Radosevich said. "It was a gratifying experience. I was able to take part in something positive. I was glad we were able to do what we did for the children," said Senior Airman William Seaborn, an airmen's council member. "The orphanage director said the kids don't always get to see adults, so they were happy to spend time with us. We were able to brighten their day a little," he said.

"We're going to do this again, and we challenge other base organizations to follow our lead," said Radosevich. "The conditions there aren't the best. It's obvious the children still need school supplies and medicines. So there is still a lot we can do to help."