The sound of giving

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane
  • USAFE-AFAFRICA
DAKAR, Senegal --  Through donations collected amongst African Partnership Flight participants, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe band, "Afterburner", purchased and donated $450 worth of rice, pasta, powdered milk, drinks, candy and water to three orphanages in Dakar, Senegal June 17-18.

The band traveled to each orphanage to meet the children and play a concert for more than 300 children total. Most of the children have never heard a live performance in their lives, especially one from an American band. Afterward, they made a donation of food to the orphanage director on behalf of the USAFE-AFAFRICA band and the APF team in Senegal.

"The food we donated is only a drop in the bucket," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Cale, USAFE band guitarist and NCO in charge, "but hopefully we can help put a smile on their face."

"We wanted to show our support by playing these shows for underprivileged kids who may have never experienced live music," Cale said.

The band started their morning by playing a game of human and equipment Tetris as they attempted to load all of their instruments in the tiny van that would haul them to the orphanage.

Driving through the busy, dusty streets of Dakar, they discuss the venue, finalize the set list and go over any last minute technical details of the upcoming show.

Upon arrival they are greeted by smiling kids eagerly waiting to hear the band play.
Once the band started playing the kids couldn't help but get up and dance.

"The band playing for us makes the kids very happy," said Mukhtar N'Diaye, orphanage volunteer. We are very glad they could come out to make music for the kids."

Half way through the show, the orphanage workers requested the band pick up the tempo and play something "hot". They turned their amps up to 11 and rocked out an original mash up of Lorde's "Royals" and AC/DC's "Back in Black".

Before they knew what was happening, an all orphan acrobatics team took to the stage in front of the band to perform a high intensity tumbling routine that left the band in awe.

"This is the reason I do what I am doing," said Cale. "The cultural exchange is easily the most rewarding part of this trip to Senegal. This has been the best experience I have had in Africa."

The show ended with kids running around and dancing as the lead vocalist, Senior Airman Melissa Lakore, danced and sang in the crowd of children. Afterward, all of the children joined the band on stage to sing them one of the songs from their culture.

Like the rock stars they are, they stayed after to take pictures with their fans and meet the staff of the orphanage.

"To see a smile on any audience is great," said Cale, "but seeing their faces light up, it lets me know that we have done our job well and I'm extremely fortunate for this experience."