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Airmen find softer side in Africa

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson
  • Joint Task Force-Nomad Fire Public Affairs
ACCRA, Ghana --  In less than 12 hours Airmen from Joint Task Force-Nomad Fire (West) brought a humanitarian outreach event from concept to fruition benefiting 150 orphaned children here Feb. 18.

The task force members deployed here to support President George Bush's visit to Africa.

The team heard there was a possibility of visiting a local orphanage in the late afternoon Feb. 17. The numbers of volunteers began to grow before the plans were even approved.
"I've wanted to do something like this since we got here," said Tech. Sgt. Sarah Gordon, JTF-NF(W) personnelist in charge of contingency operations.

"What do they need," asked Master Sgt. Kevin Coleman, a weather craftsman for JTFW. "Is there anything in particular we can do to help?"

After ensuring the visit wouldn't impact the team's primary mission, Col. James Dew, the task force commander, approved the plan. By mid-morning on the next day, the U.S. Embassy approved the trip.

Nearly 25 Airmen boarded the bus that afternoon headed for the Osu Children's Home. More wanted to participate, but couldn't due to mission requirements. Those individuals did the next best thing they could... donated money to the effort.

The bus stopped at a local store where the volunteers pooled resources, including the money donated back by those who couldn't attend, and bought more than $500 worth of supplies. By the time the bus arrived at the orphanage, the group was laden down with bags of rice, baby formula, school supplies, hygiene products, laundry detergent and toys.

The group toured the facility before settling in for some cuddling and play time with children who ranged from newborns to 18 year olds.

"Some of the hardships these children have endured are truly amazing," said Capt. Cheo Stalworth, JTF-NF(W) communications officer.

"This child is 6 months old, although he is the size of a 3-month old," an orphanage volunteer explained as she fed sips of formula to a small infant from a medicine cup. "He is sick and was abandoned by his family."

There were many sad stories to be heard at the home, such as the one about a young boy who approached Staff Sgt. Scott Warren, JTF-NF(W) communications journeyman.
"Do you speak French," the boy, Mohammed, asked.

"No, I'm sorry, I don't. I wish I did," Sergeant Warren replied.

"I only speak a little English," Mohammed replied.

The boy smiled brightly and pointed to see Sergeant Warren's tattoo. Despite the language barrier, the two managed to talk about the boy's life.

"It wasn't until later that I learned the boy's family was shot in another country. He walked the whole way here on his own," Sergeant Warren said. "He's only been here five days."

The Airmen had two hours to spend with the children, which was not near enough for the volunteers. A JTF-NF(W) guidance and control journeyman, Senior Airman Lindsay Hetterly, summed it up best. "Can we come back before we leave?"