LOGAR PROVINCE - AF Tech Sgt. Michelle Stokes, administrative sgt for the counter-IED team out of FOB Shank, helped the local children of Logar prov. start a new school year with new school supplies.
To American children, buying new school supplies is a normal part of their back-to-school routines. For the impoverished children of Logar prov., school supplies are hard to come by. "I always try to find a way to give back, whatever it may be," said Stokes. "To see the little kids' smiling faces was enough for me."
Stokes purchased colored pencils, pens, notebooks, markers, various school supplies, stuffed animals and shoes, with her own money, and had them sent to her. Stokes stuffed backpacks with new supplies for the children, accompanied by the rest of the CIED team, and headed out to the local village of Polerad to distribute them.
Due to cultural dynamics, girls generally have fewer opportunities to go to school, or receive new supplies and clothes. "I liked seeing the girls actually get something," said Stokes. "That was my whole intention, to get the girls school supplies and toys."
Humanitarian efforts may not seem to directly affect combat ops. However, it demonstrates to locals that U.S. forces want to help improve their quality of life. "It's good to do something that will leave a lasting effect on the children," said Tech Sgt. Brandon Livingstone, EOD team leader. "Years from now they could say 'I remember when the Americans came through and gave us stuff to help us stay in school.'"
While the current CIED team is preparing to head home, they have laid the foundation for the next group of Soldiers and Airmen to continue to help the locals move towards a better and safer Afghanistan.
