Hatamia kids connect with troops

Photo By Sgt. Allyson Parla | Sgt. Abubakarr Conteh, an operations non-commissioned officer for the 77th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and a Dallas, Texas, native, plays soccer with Iraqi children April 30 during Iraqi Kids Day, an event sponsored by service members from the Army and Air Force stationed at Joint Base Balad.  

JOINT BASE BALAD, IRAQ

05.02.2011

Story by Sgt. Allyson Parla 

77th Sustainment Brigade

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – More than 200 service members sponsored approximately 100 children from the town of Hatamia located outside Joint Base Balad, Iraq, April 30 for a day of fun and games.

For at least the past two years, children from villages surrounding JBB have been brought in each month to participate in the program known as Iraqi Kids Day, said Capt. Kyle Singer, an Air Force maintenance officer with the 64th Expeditionary Helicopter Maintenance Unit on base and the coordinator of this month’s event.

Excited children ranging from five to 16 years old energetically swarmed the Morale Welfare and Recreation Center to be greeted by smiling service members eager to interact with the children and show them a good time.

Face painting, soccer, volleyball, music, dancing, arts and crafts, and picture taking were among some of the activities the children had the chance to participate in.

Two mine resistant ambush protected vehicles were parked outside of the MWR for the children to play in. A zip line was also available to entertain the children.

The attendees who weren’t there as designated volunteers participated in activities as well. Service members from many different units stationed here came to either help out with food distribution or merely dance with children inside of the facility. Outside, dozens of soldiers, airmen and civilians organized basketball, soccer and volleyball games.

The children were fascinated with any objects that they could get their hands on. Pens and pencils were a huge hit. Candy and goodie bags, filled with an array of items, including flip-flops, were given to the children who attended.

“The kids wanted all the fruit, candy and Girl Scout cookies, so somehow, all the kids acquired bags,” said Capt. Sherlander Sanders, a general supply officer with the 77th Sustainment Brigade, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and a Cleveland, Ohio, native, who volunteered to mentor an eight year-old child named Mohama for the day.

Although most of the children could not speak English well, they were adept at finding ways to communicate with the service members.

“He kept saying ‘bag, bag’, so someone went to the PX and grabbed a whole bunch of bags to distribute to the children for items to take home,” Sanders said. “He would not take ‘no’ for an answer,” she said referencing the experience she had with the child she mentored.

Children, soldiers and airmen alike were appreciative of the time spent together.

“It was fun,” Sanders said. “It gives us some insight on cultural differences and how their children are compared to ours, but pretty much they are the same. I think they have a better sense of appreciation than we do.”

Sanders, who has four daughters ranging from five to 19 years old, said she’d volunteer to participate in the event every month due to this experience.

“We keep pushing to have this event, because once the kids are here, they see that we are not the enemy; that we’re real people and that they can have fun with us,” said Singer.

As the day came to an end, the worn-out faces of both service members and children indicated that the day’s activities were drawing to a close, but no one really wanted to leave.

“I was tired,” Sanders said. “I hope when I go the next time I see [Mohama] again. I hope I can pick the same kid next time. Hopefully some of the same kids come back again.”

• Date Taken: 05.02.2011
• Date Posted: 05.08.2011 08:10
• Story ID: 70047
• Location: JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ