Photo By Terrance Bell | Sgt. 1st Class Daryl Roddy, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S....... read more read more
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FORT LEE, Va. (Feb. 16, 2017) -- Children in Uganda now have a small library of new books to read thanks to the generosity of CASCOM, Girl Scout Troop 5391 and the Fort Lee USO.
“Books are considered a luxury in Uganda,” said Sgt. 1st Class Daryl Roddy who organized the recent donation of literary materials for the kids.
At the time of the donation, he was deployed to Special Operations Command in Central Africa, from his home unit – Headquarters and Headquarters Company, CASCOM.
The idea for the book drive came when he visited home for rest and recuperation from his deployment. He spoke with co-worker Sgt. 1st Class James Brogan about doing something for the children in Uganda.
“I also reached out to family and friends via Facebook, and this is how the USO and the Girl Scouts got involved as well as a few families,” he said.
When Roddy returned to Uganda, Brogan (who is stationed elsewhere) coordinated with Capt. Emille Prosko, commander, HHC CASCOM commander and the Family Readiness Group coordinator to assist with collecting books, packaging them and shipping them to Roddy.
Fort Lee USO paid for the shipping and handling of 425 books packed into 12 boxes.
When the shipment arrived, Soldiers delivered 50 books to Entebbe’s library. The remainder went to four families and the Makayla House Orphanage in Entebbe.
Roddy said all were excited to have the books because they have been accustomed to only outdated reading materials.
“These books will further enhance the children’s education and broaden their outlook of the world,” said Roddy. “The book donations mean the world to these children who do not have much.”
Describing the enthusiasm of the kids as they experienced the all-new stories and accompanying artwork, Roddy said, “They grabbed a book from the boxes and started reading wherever they could. Some read to the service members, while others simply flipped through the pages, amazed at the pictures.”
Roddy said he talked to one of the fathers who received some of the books for his children. The father said his monthly pay is about $277. After buying the basic essentials to maintain his family, there isn’t enough money for luxury items such as books. He said his girls are truly grateful and carry the books everywhere they went.
“It’s still a small collection of books,” said Roddy, “but it’s more than before. The librarian was overwhelmed and ecstatic about the donation. One kid had a project for school to dress like a Disney character and the library didn’t have any Disney books until ours arrived.”
Roddy said he has enjoyed the experience of giving books to the children but doesn’t want to take all the credit.
“I never wanted to be the one to take credit for delivering the books, even though I coordinated everything. This was the reason why I invited those who I am deployed with to be a part of this experience. It was truly amazing to see how something as simple as a children’s book can bring joy to a child. I was even impressed on how well some could read. Just to know something like a donated book can be appreciated by a child is a feeling very welcoming.”
Roddy said he wants to continue sending books to Uganda even after his return home.
| Date Taken: | 02.16.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 02.16.2017 10:52 |
| Story ID: | 223771 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 65 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Fort Lee Soldier, organizations donate books to Ugandan orphanage, by Lesley Atkinson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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