News>Transit Center reaches out to Toru-Aigyr Village
Photos
TORU-AIGYR, Kyrgyzstan - From left, Staff Sgt. Jeff Denbrock and Master Sgt. Eric McAlister are greated by an Eshenkulova student Sept. 7. Transit Center Airmen donated $10,000 in computers and school supplies on their first visit to the village. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski)
TORU-AIGYR, Kyrgyzstan - Col. Brian Brandner, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander, along with interpreter Gulkaiyr Kabylbekova and Eshenkulova school director Ms. Ardak Abdrashytovna look at a hand-crafted Yerk model Sept. 7. Transit Center Airmen donated $10,000 in computers and school supplies to Eshenkulova School on their first-ever visit to the village. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski)
TORU-AIGYR, Kyrgyzstan - Transit Center Airmen donated $10,000 in computers and school supplies to Eshenkulova School Sept. 7. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Michael Schockeri)
TORU-AIGYR, Kyrgyzstan - Transit Center Airmen were treated to singing, dancing and acting performances by Eshenkulova students Sept. 7. The Airmen donated $10,000 in computers and school supplies. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski)
TORU-AIGYR, Kyrgyzstan - Transit Center Airmen donated $10,000 in computers and school supplies to Eshenkulova School Sept. 7. From left, school director Ms. Ardak Adbrashytovna and interpretor Gulkaiyr Kabylbekova watches as Staff Sgt. Jeff Denbrock and Senior Master Sgt. Lisa Friend presents soccer balls to the village elders. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski)
TORU-AIGYR, Kyrgyzstan - Transit Center Airmen donated $10,000 in computers and school supplies to Eshenkulova School Sept. 7 and were treated to a play. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski)
TORU-AIGYR, Kyrgyzstan - Transit Center Airmen, village elders and parents were treated to singing, dancing and acting performances by Eshenkulova students Sept. 7. The Airmen donated $10,000 in computers and school supplies. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski)
by Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
9/10/2010 - TORU-AIGYR VILLAGE, Kyrgyzstan -- "This is the first time they've seen Americans from the military," said the colonel in Air Force service dress uniform, standing in front of the 27-year-old school building located just over two hours south east of the Transit Center at Manas.
Addressing the crowd of village elders, school faculty, parents and students - the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander thanked them for letting the Airmen share in the celebration of Eshenkulova School's gift of new computers. "We understand the importance of education as the foundation of the future," said Col. Brian Brandner. "And there's no more important then the opportunity to help young children grow up to meet their dreams and ambitions."
The Transit Center's humanitarian assistance director, Maj. Elliot Safdie, said the project, funded by the U.S. Central Command, was very fulfilling to oversee. "This was a very exciting project from the moment we heard about it to the purchasing of the computers to sitting down with the vendor and setting up the delivery and we're just happy we could help you realize your goal of a new technology center," said the Major.
Ardak Abdrashytovna, school director, said the Transit Center's donation of computers and school supplies Sept. 7 makes a huge impact. "Parents and teachers are happy the Colonel and Major visited us here today and provided the $10,000 project. We have an information technology class that will use the equipment tomorrow."
The director, who overseas 11 grades with students ages 7-17, said that a burden was eased on the community. "This village is considered to be middle status ... a lot of people are unemployed here so for them as parents it's really difficult to provide all the stationary and all these needs to these kids and the fact that you provided all these supplies really eases my job and the parents' situation as well."
The Airmen who visited were treated to singing, dancing and acting performances by students and toured the school and also indulged in local cuisine.
"To be part of the Transit Center's humanitarian assistance team is truly an eye opening experience. The experience of immersing yourself in a different culture is an experience like no other," said Master Sgt. Eric McAlister of the Transit Center's 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron. "What impressed me the most was the welcome we received. I was deeply impressed with their sincerity and enthusiasm. The smiles on the children, teachers and parents faces said it all!"
For Kyrgyz people, education important and it reflects in the care they give their educational facilities, said Colonel Brander. "The facilities here were well maintained it was actually a blessing to see the advancement of education at all levels. From here the school children will graduate and go on to university. They have a very high percentage of university students out of this school due to the fact they have a returning staff. Many of the teachers were actually students at this school so they are going to come back to this school to support the community in higher education."
