Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Krystie Martinez | Tech. Sgt. Aundrea Minns, 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, NCO in charge of...... read more read more
MANAS, Kyrgyzstan - Eleven members of the Manas Area Benefit Outreach Society recently visited the Children's Cancer Center in Bishkek, to deliver toys, food and medical supplies.
MABOS is a private organization dedicated to improving the lives of the Kyrgyz people through various local charities, orphanages and hospitals. Membership consists of people deployed to Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan.
The Children's Cancer Center treats children from all over Kyrgyzstan from infancy to 18 years old. Many of the patients often stay at the cancer center for up to two years for treatment.
Despite the language barriers the volunteers find ways to connect with the children.
"I enjoy interacting with the kids," said 1st. Lt. Amber Baustian, a 376th Expeditionary Medical Group clinic nurse, deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and trip organizer. "At first the kids are shy when they first arrive to the play room, but they warm up to us quickly and although there is a language barrier it's awesome seeing how excited they are to see us."
Baustian, a Jasper, Minn., native, said it's important that MABOS continues to provide support to the cancer center.
"This is a great way to get involved with the local people," she said. "The children and parents enjoy our visits. We provide medical supplies, school supplies, toys, groceries, and other miscellaneous items. There is always a big need for school supplies as the children attend a small informal school."
Groceries are collected and delivered by the volunteers for every visit to the center, since the hospital where the cancer center is housed does not have a cafeteria.
"The money for the groceries and toys comes from the MABOS organization, but a lot of the donated clothes, toys, medical supplies, etc. come from the states and items that are no longer being used at the Transit Center," Baustian said.
The time the volunteers spend with the children consists of handing out the donations, playing games and giving some of the parents a small break in their day.
Visiting the cancer center and spending time with the children was personal for Tech. Sgt. Aundrea Minns, 376th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, NCO in charge of the Ops Town dining facility.
"I spent my birthday giving simple gifts to children who may or may not have another birthday," said the Montgomery, Ala., native deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "I have children in this age group and I can't imagine them with anything stronger then the common cold. So much respect goes to the parents holding [themselves] together for their kids and to the brave kids going through it."
The volunteers understand the vital role MABOS has with the cancer center.
"It's important that MABOS continues to help because it's a great way for the U.S. to keep a lasting impact in this country," said Baustian. "The cancer center truly needs the supplies we provide."
| Date Taken: | 10.30.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.09.2013 05:57 |
| Story ID: | 116518 |
| Location: | TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, KG |
| Hometown: | JASPER, IN, US |
| Hometown: | MONTGOMERY, AL, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Transit Center airmen volunteer at Children's Cancer Center, by SMSgt Krystie Martinez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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