KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait –
For the past two months, Task Force Spartan (TFS) Soldiers have been partnering with the Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital (KACCH), volunteering to conduct play therapy with children in two different hospitals.
TFS has been meeting and planning with KACCH since May 2018, and started hospital visits in July. More than 70 TFS Soldiers are currently trained by KACCH, and there is a weekly, rotating, group of soldiers visiting children in two different hospitals. This rotation generally allows each participating Soldier to attend a play day once every six weeks.
The goal is to make a child smile. The children in these facilities are fighting illnesses of varying severity. “Hospitals stays can be stressful for children and their families,” said Maj. Amanda Harrah, TFS deputy civil affairs officer. “This program allows volunteers like us to help relieve a little of that stress for both the children and their families.”
Soldiers volunteer through the Every Soldier is an Ambassador program, and play games or make crafts with the children. “As deployed Soldiers, we leave families and friends behind, and we don’t get an opportunity to interact with children while serving here,” said Brig. Gen. Mark McCormack, TFS deputy commanding general - support. “This is a great, mutually benefiting activity where we get to experience the joy you can only receive by making a child smile.”
Two other units, 1st Theater Sustainment Command and 38th Sustainment Brigade have also joined Task Force Spartan in participating with KACCH.