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News | Sept. 21, 2018

U.S., Salvadorian Airmen donate supplies to ISNA

By Story by Master Sgt. Raphael Romero 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron joined efforts with El Salvadorian Air Force as part of a joint endeavor to give back to the local community of San Martin, located in San Salvador, El Salvador, Sept. 6, 2018.

The joint effort was aimed at supporting ISNA, El Salvador’s Institute for Integral Development for Children and Adolescents, which serves approximately 88 children, many of them with mental and physical disabilities.

During the event, Air Force personnel from both military units donated towels, blankets, pillow covers and personal hygiene kits. The event also consisted of a party with clowns, piñatas and free haircuts.

“This is an opportunity that enables us to reach the hearts of the Salvadorian people,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Garcia-Arvelo, 571st MSAS air advisor. “We are not only trying to reach our military brothers, but also leave a good impression on the community.”

According to Salvadorian Air Force Col. Raymundo Eduardo Torruella Rico, executive of the 1st Aerial Brigade, one of the pillars of the constitutional mission of the Salvadorian Air Force is to perform actions that benefit the population in the health and well-being department.

 

“The donation that the U.S. Air Force is providing with the combined effort of the Salvadorian Air Force, benefits 88 children that are in need,” Torruella said. “It also allows us to provide and give a little bit more of encouragement to the development here in this center, and at the same time, support the Salvadorian citizens where they need it most.”

ISNA plans on replenishing all their stock with the donated goods, and whatever is left, will be sent to other ISNA centers around the country.

“It was a pleasant surprise that was given to us by both of these institutions,” said Ricardo Matias Lazo, ISNA, director of the Special Education Center. “It is a lot of help and a kind gift.”

U.S. Air Force Maj. Norbertha Cooper, 571st MSAS mission commander, recognized the efforts of the U.S. Embassy, Civil Affairs personnel and the municipal government for making the event possible.

“We are here working with the U.S. Embassy to build partnerships and increase interoperability between the U.S. and El Salvador military forces,” Cooper said. “This community event helps us highlight our presence here and our interoperability between both forces. It’s a pleasure to be here and we want to thank you for welcoming us into your country and your homes.”

Alex Ivan Salinas, ISNA, director of the Social Integral Center for Children and Teenagers, thanked both military units on behalf of all the children and teenage residents in the institution.

 

“We hope that this is not the first nor the last time we welcome you here,” Salinas said. “Our doors are open for all and we will always await your arrival, not only this donation, but also to share some happiness playing football, breaking a piñata or whatever we can do to help these children. Many of them do not receive this attention in their homes nor the required stimuli for the activities that you bring to us, it really motivates our children and teenagers, which brings them a lot of joy.”

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