Posted on 01/09/2010 1:53:03 PM PST by SandRat
Written by U.S. Army Spc. William E. Henry
Combined Joint Task Force - 82
PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Task Force Cyclone Soldiers from the Kentucky Agri-business Development Team recently participated in a medical outreach program for the people of Janqadam village, in Parwan Province, Afghanistan.
The Kentucky ADT gave medical care to people coming through the temporary medical facility set up in a local school.
Kentucky ADT members, U.S. Army Sgts. Isaac Jones, medical non-commissioned officer, and Jo Ashley, Women’s Empowerment Program coordinator, said they enjoyed the experience of directly assisting hospital workers with the local people.
Jones, who helped examine some of the locals, stated the people were friendly and thankful for their services to them.
“The people as a whole were very receptive to us and what we were doing. They were very appreciative to all of us for coming to do what we did,” said Jones. “From the elderly to the smallest children, you could tell that they found some relief in the care that we were providing them, since it was obviously something that they do not routinely get.”
Ashley used her talent as a military dental assistance to provide dental care during the mission. She said that having the benefit of helping local people was extremely positive.
“The citizens of Afghanistan don’t have the same health care and education on dental therapy and dental treatment as Americans do. Without the education they don’t know how important it is to keep your mouth healthy,” said Ashley.
Ashley had added that every person that came in for treatment for fillings or to get teeth pulled refused to be numbed and showed no signs of discomfort to the treatments they received.
“There are some really strong people in this country, and we all know tooth aches hurt,” she added.
Jones said this is something that positively impacts the people, and he would like to participate more often in these types of missions.
“I think this is something that I would love to be a part of more regularly,” said Jones. “It was personally gratifying to do something directly with and for the people. It was truly something that I feel goes a long way towards our goal of changing the hearts and minds of the Afghan people.”
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