This will be a short one, because I need to go take a shower. Many people in the states do not realize that the United States Army hires contractors to do their dirty work. Nowadays we are in convoys with TCNs. (Third Country Nationals) These people leave their wives and children to come to Kuwait to help their families. The TCNs clean the latrines, work in the chow hall, empty the porta johns, pick up trash and drive the buses. I have had the opportunity to interact more personally with some of them.
About 3 weeks ago, I had to refuel the HET I was driving. My friend was with me and she had to get out. She asked me if I dared her to start talking to him. So, I said--'yeah, I bet you won't!' :) Wrong answer. She started talking to him and I'm glad she did. He shared about his life with us. He works here in Kuwait as a fueler. He makes 120 KD per month. That translates into about $16,000-18,000 US Dollars. In India, where he is from that is like making $30,000 in the states because the cost of living in India is much less. He also told us that the company he works for is being traded for one who makes a much better deal with the US Army and he is taking a 20 KD pay decrease! Now, he will only make 100 KD per month.
We also learned that his wife and three children live back home in India and that he is working here for them. His youngest is 5 months old. He works here all year and gets one week during the year in which he can go home to visit with his family.
I cannot even imagine such a life. This man has left his family in order to make money so that they can survive. He says that they live well, and that he has a good job--but it seemed very sad to us. He is not the only one, many of these people are here doing the same thing. I am glad that I can go back home after one year and live comfortably in the United States and be free. Thank God for that.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Fueling up
Posted by One Army Jayhawk at 4:42 AM
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1 comments:
Tara Nate had few friends on his deployment as well. It was hard but he made the most of it and went to mass 4 days per week. He became close with the chaplain that would visit from fallujah. The chaplain put on his bars when he was promoted. He had no one else to ask. He directed his focus toward God and grew in a relationship with Him. He told me he felt lonely working 14 hour days and duty 24 and he couldnt call me daily bc of river city. Sending prayers.
Love Erin
Ps I was jealous that Jocelyn had you as a roommate instead of me. Hehe because u r that awesome.
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