OUR MISSION: Afghanistan (OOA) will empower the Afghan people through compassionate humanitarian assistance. OOA is a volunteer organization. It is not affiliated or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. WHO WE ARE: We are a group of deployed U.S. service members and civilians working to bring relief and aid to the Afghan people. We volunteer our "off-duty" time to help provide commonly needed items to those in need. LEADERSHIP TEAM: Lt. Col. Andy Gerlach Chairman/President 1st Lt. Dain Miller Vice President Chief Petty Officer Allen Drum Treasurer Capt. Belinda Sherwood Secretary Capt. Mark Chaney Medical Liaison 1st Lt. Michael Moody Chaplain Advisor Senior Master Sgt. Shaun Crusha Logistics Advisor 1st Lt. Conrad Hollomon IT Advisor Capt. John Quinn Public Affairs Advisor CONTACT: Facebook: Afghanistan Web: Www.opoutreach.org Email: Op.outreach.afg@gmail. com SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED Afghanistan H E A L I N G H E A R T S A N D M I N D S TOTAL GIFTS AND DONATIONS FOR MARCH GIFTS: $2,274.00 POSTAGE: $1,315.08 CASH/POGS: $1,569.35 TOTAL: $5,691.62 Total gifts and donations received since Sept. 2010: $50,347.86 A P R I L 2 0 1 1 Giving local teachers, students good start By Spc. Michael Broughey KABUL, Afghanistan It was overwhelming to learn how 3,000 students of all ages attend classes at Ud Khel High School. The school season began following the March 21 celebration of Nowruz, the new year holiday in Afghanistan and other parts of the region. In keeping with the unit s continued support to the village of Ud Khel, members of the 1-181st Infantry Regiment, along with their partners in OOA, also based at Camp Phoenix, delivered school supplies for about 200 students and their teachers March 26. It was the largest drop we ve done yet, said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Christopher Ocasio, who led 3 rd Platoon s early morning dismounted mission to the school. Members of the 1-181st and OOA volunteers left Camp Phoenix on foot before dawn to arrive at the school before classes began in order See SCHOOL page 3 Outreach Quick Facts OOA volunteers have participated in 53 meetings since March 2010. Volunteers have donated 2,897 man hours and collected more than $115,218 in gifts. 203 volunteers have participated in 31 humanitarian missions. OOA active membership is 154. Photo by Spc. Michael Broughey U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Randy Isaacs, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-181st Infantry Regiment, hands a notebook to a young Afghan girl as students enter classrooms during a delivery of humanitarian aid in the form of clothes and school supplies, collected through OOA, for the students and teachers of an elementary school in Camp Phoenix s neighboring village of Ud Khel March 26. OOA has held 42 conex work days to organize humanitarian assistance gifts. More than 18,670 Afghans have benefited from OOA s humanitarian assistance and medical aid this year. 95 volunteers have earned the Military Outstanding Volunteer Award. VISIT US ON FACEBOOK SEARCH:
Helping those most in need Aiding orphans, the blind or the disabled in Afghanistan MARASTUN, Afghanistan Mentors with the 1-134th Cavalry Regiment decided to reward the hard work of their counterparts in the Afghan National Security Forces by helping 500 Afghans March 16. U.S. Army Capt. Jeremiah Afuh, a senior mentor for ANSF within the Kabul area, said last month s humanitarian aid mission brought blankets, clothes, shoes and toys including many items gathered through OOA to a nearby community which includes about 300 children and orphans This was the first one, Afuh said, adding this mission was a reward and members of Afghan National Police (ANP), Afghan National Army (ANA) and the National Directorate of Security (NDS) wholeheartedly took on the chance to help their countrymen. It s a quick win, but the importance is getting an Afghan face on it, Afuh said, adding ANSF leaders in all three agencies immediately grasped the importance of the mission, as it conveyed strength and generosity to those in need. They really are hurting out there, Afuh said, adding the community they visited has many people who are blind or disabled. Afuh said they plan to conduct similar missions in the future to allow others members of the ANSF help Afghans in need, especially if they are working well together. Photos courtesy of 1-134th Cavalry Regiment Members of the 1-134th Cavalry Regiment worked with Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to provide humanitarian assistance to the community of Marastun, a suburb in western Kabul, March 16. The intent of the mission was to show how hard work and good deeds helps improve the lives of Afghans around Kabul. Donation, Donations, Donations Kabul is a city of about four million residents and about a third are school-aged. As a result, OOA is MOST IN NEED OF BASIC SCHOOL SUPPLIES, especially pencils, pens and notebooks. They will continue to accept shoes, clothes, blankets, children s books and first aid kits. Please mail your gifts to: OOA - LT Dain Miller HHT 1-134 CAV Camp Phoenix APO, AE 09320
Giving Afghan teachers and students a better opportunity SCHOOL from page 1 to secure the area while fellow Soldiers from 2 nd Platoon and other volunteers delivered the supplies by light medium tactical vehicles escorted by two armored vehicles. After the dozen boxes of supplies were brought in and placed in the hallway, Vice Principal Mohammed Jan, a graduate of Kabul University who has been teaching for 22 years, helped separate the supplies in each box with help from fellow teachers, Ocasio and U.S. Linguist Amir in preparation for the distribution of the supplies. It s really hard for us to understand because it is so different, but the high school actually serves all the kids in Ud Khel from age 7 to 18, Ocasio said. The teacher s salaries and some supplies are paid for by the government, but the desks are on loan from Paktika province and there s no electricity in the school right now, though they have the wiring for it. We re working on getting that for them now, Ocasio said. As the students, who were lined up outside by classroom, eagerly filed into the hallway, teachers, Soldiers and other volunteers alike handed out the supplies one-by-one until all the classes were filled. I definitely saw some smiles, said U.S. Army Pfc. David Alves, a Soldier from 3 rd Platoon who helped pass out writing utensils to the students. A lot of the kids didn t even show up with pens. While more missions are needed to help other students who begin school on a staggered schedule, the principal ensured each grade school student who walked into class that morning was prepared to learn, armed with a handful of pens and pencils, a box of crayons and a notebook in their hands. Those kids were very happy, said U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Allen Drum, of 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion s Forward Logistical Element, who walked to the school with members of the 1-181st. Drum said the teachers were also delighted to receive several useful supplies including boxes of chalk, rulers, glue, construction paper, art supplies, an English dictionary and English and math books. Other OOA members, including Soldiers from 2 nd Platoon, already started to plan their own humanitarian missions to help other students in the near future, even though they ve noticed numerous schools in need near Camp Phoenix and around Kabul. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Erik Ryan grabs a box of school supplies while Pfc. David Alves passes the boxes down to fellow Soldiers with the 1-181st Infantry Regiment a humanitarian aid delivery of clothes and school supplies, collected through OOA. The donations were distributed to students and teachers of an elementary school in Camp Phoenix s neighboring village of Ud Khel Mar. 26. Below, students at Ud Khel High School crowd into their classroom with the school supplies handed out to them by soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1/181 Infantry Regiment and members of OOA from Camp Phoenix during a delivery of humanitarian aid in the form of clothes and school supplies to the students and teachers in the neighboring village of Ud Khel March 26. From left, U.S. Army Spc. Ryan Satterfield of 1-181st Infantry, hands a notebook to a student while Pfc. David Alves gets a pack of crayons and a handful of pens and pencils ready for the next student about to enter class during a delivery of clothes and school supplies to the students and teachers of an elementary school in Camp Phoenix s neighboring village of Ud Khel March 26.
Photo by U.S. Air Force 1LT Kathryn Rice ANA takes lead to help new school through OOA KHAR KHANI DISTRICT, Afghanistan Local Afghan National Army (ANA) leaders have embraced humanitarian missions and recently helped 400 students at a new elementary school northwest of Kabul, according to U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nick Roberts, of combined joint mentoring team (CJ4). Roberts, who helps mentor members at the ANA Headquarters Logistics Command Security Kandak (Battalion), said CJ4, which is based at Camp Phoenix, often conducts humanitarian missions when they visit their Afghan counterparts located in west Kabul. Roberts said the missions empower ANA leaders and local residents alike. He added an Afghan public affairs team accompanied the latest mission to officially promote the successful visit to help the students and staff at the new school. They were really thrilled to see us there, Roberts said, adding about 400 students in Kindergarten through grade 4 received pencils, pens, notebooks and other basic supplies April 5. It gave them (the students) the tools they needed to learn, especially since they re working outside, Roberts said, adding classes are being held around the school until the building is complete. Roberts estimated construction could take another four to six months until it is finished. He did not know when Afghan students would occupy the school. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Alan Molin, of the 1-181st Infantry, was one of the OOA members who accompanied CJ4 to a women s shelter, to the humanitarian aid mission and to the ANA base, where they enjoyed a traditional meal. We did a lot of cool things that day, Molin said. Below, U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nick Roberts, of combined joint mentoring team (CJ4), listens to an Afghan boy during a humanitarian mission #5 School in Khar Khani District in northwest Kabul. OOA volunteers worked with Afghan National Army (ANA) Soldiers to distribute clothes and school supplies to about 400 elementary students Apr. 5. Afghan National Army (ANA) Soldiers lead the effort to distribute clothes and school supplies, provided by OOA volunteers and members of combined joint mentoring team (CJ4), to elementary students during a humanitarian mission for #5 School, which is under construction, in Khar Khani District in northwest Kabul Apr. 5. INTERESTED IN JOINING OOA? OOA holds full meetings every two weeks in the Camp Phoenix chapel Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and committees meet every other week to organize humanitarian assistance missions, handwrite thank you notes to donors, plan social events, coordinate medical missions and handle information technology issues. Volunteers sort donations for future missions every Friday at 4 p.m. in the container yard in the northwest side of Camp Phoenix. Photo by U,S, Air Force 1LT Kathryn Rice Photo by U.S. Air Force 1LT Kathryn Rice U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Allen Drum, of 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion s Forward Logistical Element, carries school supplies during a humanitarian mission with fellow OOA volunteers and members of combined joint mentoring team (CJ4), to elementary students during for #5 School in Khar Khani District in northwest Kabul Apr. 5.
Mississippi Soldier helps make a difference through OOA Story by 1st Lt. Andrew Adcock KABUL, Afghanistan After a military career spanning some 30 years, U.S. Army Master Sgt. Danny K. Plunkett is on his second overseas deployment to the Middle East. Despite the austere environment, he is making a difference in the lives of Afghans at the grassroots level. Plunkett is a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard s 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC), headquartered in Laurel, Miss. The 184th ESC is currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and assumed responsibility of Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan (JSC-A) in October. The group directs all military logistics support for American and coalition forces throughout the theater of operations. Based out of Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan, Plunkett serves as a mentor to the Afghan National Army (ANA) supply and maintenance office under JSC-A. As a member of the NATO training mission, Combined Security Transition Command, Plunkett has become knowledgeable of ANA regulations and regularly makes recommendations on improvements to supply and maintenance procedures. His recommendations are then reported to higher logistics commands on a weekly basis. When asked to describe his mission, Plunkett commented, Every day I have to travel by convoy to the ANA base where I work. Each day I see children digging in trash heaps for food or anything they might be able to use for clothing or burn for heat. I see a lot of poverty. By working with the Afghan National Army, I have learned that these people are seeking the same things in life as we do in America. They want to provide for their families and hope for a better future. During a humanitarian mission in February, Plunkett worked with Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Stacey L. Haga U.S. Army Master Sgt. Danny K. Plunkett, of the 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, passes out candy to a group of villagers during a humanitarian mission with fellow OOA volunteers in Kabul Feb. 17. his ANA mentors to deliver blankets, clothing, fuel, food and candy to a local village. Today I got the chance to go visit one of these poor villages, just like the ones I pass each day, and give a few things that will make their lives a little bit better, said Plunkett. It really makes you humble to think how blessed we are in the U.S.A. Our trash would be a treasure to some of these people over here. I saw children, dirty, and with no shoes, some dressed in what we would call rags. Stateside, Plunkett works full-time for the Mississippi Army National Guard in the surface maintenance office. I hope that one day the children I see every day will have a country to live in that is free of bombings, killings and so much hurt, said Plunkett. I hope that one day, we can look back on all we have done here and say that it was worth it. Massachusetts family, Soldier decides to donate $1,000 to OOA Photo courtesy of 1-181st Infantry A passing patrol from the 1-181st Infantry spotted this young Afghan boy playing in the mud near Camp Phoenix earlier this winter. CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan After U.S. Arny Staff Sgt. William Munsell told his family about the numerous shoeless Afghan children he saw running through trash piles and around multi-colored pools of various liquids in the streets, they collectively decided they needed to do something to help. Munsell, who arrived in Afghanistan in October, has spent his time patrolling the streets around Camp Phoenix and standing guard at the main gate of the base with fellow members of 1-181st Infantry, based in Worcester, Mass. We saw schools without desks or chairs and wanted to know how we could help, Munsell said, adding he was amazed at the level of poverty and impressed with the independent spirit of the Afghan villagers who find ways to survive. Munsell, who became involved with OOA, worked with fellow volunteers to provide humanitarian assistance to a settlement of traditional nomads known as the Kuchi who live within a mile of Camp Phoenix. As a result, he saw how OOA provides direct assistance to the Afghan people, usually by providing clothes, blankets and school supplies, but also helps facilitate medical care for children in dire situations. In March, the Munsell family decided to donate $1,000 to the organization. It was a family decision, Munsell said, adding his wife Jeanne and daughter Kaitlyn, 12, both had an equal say in the matter. The biggest thing we looked at was to help an organization which helps many people, Munsell said, adding OOA could used the money to buy bulk orders of school supplies or blankets from Afghan vendors thus alleviating overseas shipping costs or infuse the donation in a variety of programs. I know it will be invested well, Munsell said, adding this will make an impact and help the Afghan people improve their lives.