US soldiers help SA kids

US soldiers tilled the soil, checked children's teeth for cavities, rolled in paint and played with disabled children and orphans in Eastern Cape this week.

Known in military-speak as a "humanitarian civic action", 54 US military medics - doctors, dentists, optometrists and nurses - were on a community-focused mission as part of a multimillion-rand two-week US Army Africa and SA National Defence Force exercise, Shared Accord.

About 700 US soldiers and marines, and 2500 South African soldiers, took part in Shared Accord, which ends today.

Marines and soldiers, a number of whom fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, took part in community-building actions at Masincedane Training Centre, in Mzantsi village, 6km from King William's Town, on Friday.

Masincedane fundraiser Ncebe Ntweni, 37, said the centre for 47 mentally disabled orphans and vulnerable children from around the province was opened by his aunt, Thembeka Bele, in 1994.

A basic wooden shack at the back of the complex was the centre's first home. Ntweni said the centre, which employs 14 people, was run with passion and care, and was supported by The Netherlands and other companies.

Looking at the scores of US soldiers, the seasoned healthcare activist said: "I see dollars!"

Marine Sergeant Aron Diaz, from Yuma, in Arizona, served two stints in Iraq. He said was enjoying painting the centre's wall yellow.

"I like painting. This place reminds me of my family. Everyone is smiling. Maybe I will bring them on vacation here," he said.

Major Mike Adams, of the US Army's 82nd Civil Affairs Battalion, said he had enjoyed five years of community-based work around Africa. During a "couple" of tours in Afghanistan he had worked with 15 South African farmers.

"Every time I needed something, I'd ask the South Africans. They were fantastic," Adams said.

Watching 15 US soldiers, some stripped to T-shirts and desert-pattern camouflage trousers, preparing the vegetable garden before sowing seeds alongside SANDF soldiers, he said: "This is [military] training. It's about getting into the earth, tilling, breaking a sweat together, and building camaraderie."

Colonel Marion Parks, the National Guard officer in charge of the mission's humanitarian side, said the 26 doctors, dentists, optometrists, paramedics, nurses and administrative staff were taking part in the operation "and they are really enjoying it".

Lieutenant-Colonel TM Thathetha, of the SANDF's medical health services, said her soldiers were learning a lot from the Americans.

SA Navy Captain Jaco Theunissen said 13 integrated US-SA multi-professional teams were testing wartime "health operational abilities" while also practising "humanitarian support for post-conflict health reconstruction".