Image Gallery 2009
17 February 2009
Presents for the children
While returning from their successful mission to replace two bridges in Zabol Province, Southern Afghanistan, Australian soldiers of the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-1) had the opportunity to bring some welcome happiness to the lives of local Afghan children.
Australian soldiers operating in Southern Afghanistan are used to the calls of "chocolate, chocolate, pen, pen," whenever they encounter local children.
In a secure area, adjacent to a Forward Operating Base, the Diggers where able to respond to these calls with gifts of notepads, coloured pencils, chocolate and fresh fruit – luxuries that the youngsters would not normally receive in their day-to-day lives.
As the number of children swelled, many an Australian soldier reached into their personal supplies to ensure that as many children as possible received something special. It was a joyous occasion for all, as laughs were shared and the Diggers demonstrated the care and generosity for which Australians are known.
| 20081219ara8502859_0290 Corporal Scott Barry (left) and Regimental Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 1 Dave Allen, distribute books and coloured pencils to Afghan children during a patrol stop in Zabol Province, southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 19 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20081219ara8502859_0354 Lieutenant Shea Wines grabs the attention of local Afghan children as they watch themselves on his camcorder, during a patrol stop near a Forward Operating Base in Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 19 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20081219ara8502859_0372 Lieutenant Shea Wines, greets an Afghan child during a patrol pause near a Forward Operating Base in Southern Afghanistan. (Date taken: 19 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20081219ara8502859_0406 Three Afghan children join in to see the show, as Australian soldiers present the young locals with a variety of treats. (Date taken: 19 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20081219ara8502859_0414 Grasping her coloured pencils, given to her by Australian soldiers, an Afghan girl makes her way home. (Date taken: 19 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20081219ara8502859_0464 With Australian soldiers taking a well-earned rest in the background, a young Afghan girl takes her present home. During a short pause in patrolling, soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force took the opportunity to brighten the local children's day with presents of pencils, books, fruit and lollies, which the children coveted amongst calls of 'chocolate, chocolate!' (Date taken: 19 December 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
 |
| 20081219ara8502859_0483 Corporal Scott Barry (left) and Private Douglas Lynch raid their own supply of fresh fruit to provide Afghan children with a welcome treat. The soldiers, from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force, provided the presents during a pause in their return from Zabol Province to their home in Tarin Kowt, southern Afghanistan. |
 |
| 20081219ara8502859_0494 After making the local children's day with their presents of books, pencils and treats, Australian soldiers from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force mount their vehicles to continue their convoy to Kandahar Air Field. The convoy is on its way home from a vital bridge building task in Zabol Province, Southern Afghanistan. |
 |
