One year ago, a schoolboy in Afghanistan asked Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Rex Temple for a pencil. Today, that child has his pick from about 600-700 boxes of supplies and toys.
As his duties led him into poor neighborhoods, Rex Temple and his wife, University of Tampa communications professor Liisa Temple, began working long distance on a project they called, “School Supplies for Afghan Children.”
“The Afghan children are so poor they can’t afford school supplies, nor are the teachers supplied with ample supply of teaching material or chalk,” Rex Temple said. “UT’s donations helped fill this void for one village’s school.”
After almost 14 months away from home, Rex began his trip back last week.
“All the worry, all the gray hair, all the heartache…it’s all finally over,” sighed Liisa Temple. “[The project] gave us something else to concentrate on except being apart. That, and it had the potential to help the next generation.”
When she first came to UT about the project, she didn’t know where to begin. But the response from UT was outstanding.
Organizations and publications got involved including P.E.A.C.E. and the UT Insider, a virtual monthly volume for faculty and staff.
“I think P.E.A.C.E. is organizing a formal where the admission is a donation,” she said. “We had two packing parties and some students even came to my house after I had my accident. P.E.A.C.E. has been absolutely wonderful.”
It has been over a year since Rex Temple has seen his house.
He will be welcomed by his wife, his dogs and a gigantic banner made and signed by P.E.A.C.E. inscribed with phrases such as, “Thank you, Rex!” and “You are my hero. You helped me to spread peace!”
For his bravery and service work overseas, Rex Temple will receive the Bronze Star.
“He had a tremendous and rewarding deployment in terms of all the work he got to do,” Liisa said.
Even though he is returning home the “School Supplies for Afghan Children” program will continue.
In fact, Rex Temple is trying to find multiple people to lead the project into several areas overseas.
“As long as I can find military personnel to distribute the school supplies, we will continue.” he said. “My goal is to find soldiers at the more remote combat outposts who can distribute these items to the schools in their areas.”
“I’m also working with the USF Honors College to create an actual course for it,” Liisa Temple said. The couple, as well as UT, will continue to collect and ship boxes to the schools for what she calls a “life-long project.”
To read more about Rex’s experience or for more information on how to donate, visit his blog at http://afghanistanmylasttour.com.
Mel Steiner can be reached at mel.c.steiner@gmail.com.