Manas Airbase Press Release
04 August 2007
Release # 07-08-04

MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan -- The two main Manas Air Base community service organizations (a charitable organization “MABOS” and a charitable foundation  “MSO”) received some assistance of their own today, with a generous $10,000 (usd) donation.
This is a gift of the Royal Exodus Colonial Club (a club of British officers, serving in Qatar). A group of service members of this club arrived at Manas airbase to present  $10,000  to both organizations. Each received $5,000 for implementing outreach projects in Kyrgyzstan.

The RECC is a leisure club at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.  Like the officers’ club at many installations back in the United States and in Great Britain, the club is a place where members socialize after work.  The difference is that all of the proceeds go to charity.
“Most of the money is really from the tips and donations,” said Squadron Leader Roger Newton, who traveled to Manas to see the base mission and present the money to the two organizations. “Everyone is very generous and all the work in the club is done by volunteers so there’s no overhead, really.”
The organization, which has been around at least since 2003 has donated to charity work around the world.  Recently the group also donated money to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.  Previous donations have included support to a “breakfast club” to feed school children in Kenya and money to build wells in Uganda.
“It’s really satisfying to see how much can be done,” said Sq. Ldr. Newton, “in many of these places they have nothing, really.”

Money also sometimes is donated to charitable groups in Europe or back in Great Britain, making the organization’s reach truly global. This is the second time Manas organizations have been selected by the RECC to receive money.  The group donated $5,000 to support the base’s Village Partnership Program at the beginning of the year. 

The money the MSO receives for village partnership program is used to buy materials to support community renovation projects in the six villages surrounding the base.  This includes the renovations of schools, community centers and other public projects identified by the village mayors.

MABOS is a first-time recipient of money from RECC.  This volunteer service organization works with local charities to support the Greater Bishkek area.  Outreach efforts include work with existing charities such as orphanages, medical facilities for children, elderly foundations, and Habitat for Humanity.  MABOS has focus groups with ten such organizations.  Since its creation in December 2003, MABOS has invested more than 35,000 hours in the local community. 

“Both of these organizations are truly outstanding” said Sqn Ldr Newton, “we have been massively impressed with what we’ve seen so far.” 

The money is very much welcomed by the organizations since they rely on combinations of donations, membership fees and fund-raising so that their organizations can help local people.