A quarter-million Americans respond to Marine’s call to keep children warm in Marjah

MARJAH, AFGHANISTAN

12.08.2010

Story by Pfc. Andrew Johnston 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

MARJAH, Afghanistan— It all started with a click of a button. One strike of the keyboard and the email was sent. Like a wild fire, the message quickly spread.

As Cpl. Trinidad Rodriguez, a civil affairs specialist with 3rd Civil Affairs Group, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, clicked on in his email inbox, what he saw he never could have imagined.

A small message to family and friends requesting winter clothing for children in Marjah, Afghanistan, was now a nationwide coalition of concerned Americans flooding his mailbox with a quarter-million responses of, “Help is on the way.”

With temperatures dropping below freezing, Rodriguez took it upon himself to look for help. After visiting various parts of 2/9’s area of operation, he noticed a trend.

Children were still wearing their summer clothes. Decked out in several warming layers and still cold, he knew there was no way the kids were comfortable. After seeing shivering children in nothing more than tattered clothing protecting them from the winter temperatures, Rodriguez got to work.

“It all started once it got cold,” said Rodriguez. “These kids would come up to me with no shoes on and their clothes were no thicker than a lady’s blouse. I knew if I was cold wearing all of the gear I was issued by the Marine Corps, then these kids were definitely cold.”

After finding out it might take up to 90 days before a new shipment of humanitarian assistance supplies would arrive to his base, Rodriguez took matters into his own hands.

“I went online and started researching different organizations that help children,” said Rodriguez. “I sent several emails detailing our situation. I said, ‘If you know anybody that could help, please send us some cold weather gear for the kids.’ Word just spread and the emails starting pouring in.”

Taken back by what had happened, Rodriguez said he couldn’t believe the amount of support he received and how fast it all happened.

“I had no idea it was going to get this big,” laughed Rodriguez. “I thought maybe we would get some support from 2/9 families, my family and some people from my church. I had no idea it was going to spread nationwide. I looked at the forward part of the email and saw all these organizations. The Pentagon, Harvard, Penn State, the list just went on and on, it was amazing.”

As packages started pouring in, Rodriguez wasted no time distributing the goods. With temperatures continuing to drop daily, his team loaded up a box and headed out to a local school with a group of fellow Marines and the district governor.

When the group entered the school, a frosty mist of breath could be seen against the frigid morning air as children shouted good morning in Pashtu. It was clear the children were freezing.

“When we got to the school you could see the children had nothing,” said Maj. Paul A. Buta, civil affairs team leader, 3rd CAG, 2/9. “You could see the children sitting there shivering. They had no concept of cold weather gear. They’re just used to this way of living and don’t know anything else.”

Once the children realized what was going on, they surrounded the Marines happily cheering with approval. With a little help from Marines, the kids were properly dressed and soon smiling in their toasty new attire.

“They were so happy to get warm clothing,” said Buta. “When you’re watching an eight year old or a nine year old sitting there shivering put on warm gloves, a hat and a sweater, you can see the genuine joy in their eyes. The smiles weren’t forced and their eyes were lighting up. They were just so happy that they got something that was going to keep them warm.”

With responses to the email continuing to grow, Rodriguez said he wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the cause.

He said he felt obligated to personally thank every single person who helped, and would do whatever he could to respond to as many people as possible. He wants them to know how much of an impact their donations made on the children and how happy they were. To him making a difference in the children’s lives will help them understand what his true mission here is: help those in need and overcome oppression.

“The best part is that this program keeps growing, growing and growing, and it was all started by a corporal,” said Buta. “He ran with it and did all this. What he has done will impact the lives of many, many people. He has impacted the lives of those children and one day, maybe they’ll grow up to be the next generation of leaders here. And they’re going to remember that when it was cold, the Marines were the ones who came here and helped, not the bad guys.”

• Date Taken: 12.08.2010
• Date Posted: 12.16.2010 00:36
• Story ID: 62052
• Location: MARJAH, AF