A student from Kamyshanovskoya Public School in Kyrgyzstan examines a new box of crayons Sept. 5, 2011. Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas traveled to the school to deliver school supplies and interact with the students. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)
Lt. Col. Byran Cessna lets a child at the Kamyshanovskoya Public School in Kyrgyzstan select a pencil Sept. 5, 2011. Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas traveled to the school to deliver school supplies and interact with the students. Cessna is deployed to the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing as a safety officer from Dover Air Force Base, Del. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)
Col. James Jacobson answers a question from a student at the Kamyshanovskoya Public School in Kyrgyzstan as Valentina Turabekova translates Sept. 5, 2011. Jacobson’s wife, Nancy, coordinated a school supply drive for the school with her fellow Transit Center Key Spouses. Jacobson is the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. Turabekova is a 376th AEW translator. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)
(Left to right) Capt. Laila Saed, Capt. Kevin Clyde and Maj. Andrew Katz sort through school supplies to deliver to students at the Kamyshanovskoya Public School in Kyrgyzstan Sept. 5, 2011. Saed is deployed to the Theater Security Cooperation as the humanitarian assistance program manager from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Clyde is deployed to the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing as the executive officer from Dover Air Force Base, Del. Katz is deployed to the 376th AEW as the director of staff from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)
Col. James Jacobson (front center) and fellow Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas pose for a photo with students at the Kamyshanovskoya Public School in Kyrgyzstan Sept. 5, 2011. Jacobson’s wife, Nancy, coordinated a school supply drive for the school with her fellow Transit Center Key Spouses. Jacobson is the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)
Master Sgt. Sam Nelson blocks a spike during a volleyball match with students at the Kamyshanovskoya Public School in Kyrgyzstan Sept. 5, 2011. Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas traveled to the school to deliver school supplies and interact with the students. Nelson is deployed to the Theater Security Cooperation division as the noncommissioned officer in charge of humanitarian assistance from Bellows Air Force Station, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)
Col. James Jacobson serves during a volleyball match with students at the Kamyshanovskoya Public School in Kyrgyzstan Sept. 5. Jacobson’s wife, Nancy, coordinated a school supply drive for the school with her fellow Transit Center Key Spouses. Jacobson is the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore)
by Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
9/10/2011 - TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- Airmen from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing visited the Kamyshanovskoya Public School to deliver school supplies collected by the wing's Key Spouses Sept. 5.
"The Transit Center personnel enjoy and gain much from these activities," said Col. James Jacobson, 376th AEW commander. "Not only did we have an opportunity to meet new friends, in this instance, the students challenged us to a game of volleyball. They were quite happy in their victory over the Transit Center visitors."
The school supply drive idea came about when the commander's wife, Nancy Jacobson, and other Transit Center Key Spouses started talking about how they could support the community here.
"The military spouse is a unique commodity; they are willing to help in any way," she said. "An easy way (for us) to help was to simply pick up a few extra school supplies while (shopping) for our own families or ourselves."
The supplies collected by the key spouses and their extended families included crayons, markers, colored pencils, pens, pencils, erasers and notebooks.
"In the end we aren't really that different in our basic needs and wants," Mrs. Jacobson said. "Giving back in our communities is important to help them thrive. If we, as spouses and families, can help empower children through school supplies or assist the community I think everyone benefits whether deployed or here at home."
As the Airmen passed through the school yard and halls delivering the school supplies students continuously walked up to them to shake their hands and practice their English.
"It is mostly due, I believe, to the graciousness, friendliness and welcoming nature of the people of Kyrgyzstan," Colonel Jacobson said. "Also, much like Americans, I suspect our great Kyrgyz hosts are curious about foreigners. Many have probably heard of America but might not have had many chances to interact with Americans."
Airmen from the Transit Center plan to continue building their relationship and supporting area communities.
"The Transit Center's involvement with schools, orphanages, clinics and other entities allows the Transit Center members to understand and appreciate our Kyrgyz hosts and their culture; and, where possible, support the needs of some of these institutions and afford an opportunity to discuss life in America with those desiring to know more," Colonel Jacobson said.
