Toys From Trash: G.I. Builds Scrap Robots to Win Afghan Hearts and Minds
source: http://www.takepart.com/news/2011/02/15/toys-from-trash-gi-builds-scrap-robots-to-win-afghan...
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In between his day job fighting the Taliban, Private First Class Rupert Valero, stationed at Forward Operating Base Wilson in Khandahar, Afghanistan, moonlights as a craftsman of toy robots from recycled materials.
“Toys are universal, be it in mainstream America, or way out in the middle of the desert,” said Valero, in an interview with Another Limited Rebellion. “There is something wonderful when imagination is spurred up, and if I can do my part and bring a smile to a child, it may deter them from doing something they shouldn’t.”
While some of Valero’s RecyclaBots are available for purchase on Etsy, he's also given the little fellas away to Afghan children he's met in the field.
"When we are outside the wire, and interact with the Afghan locals, I take some of my little creations, and you see the eyes open wide on these little kids," said Valero. "I think I put my humble talent to some use if it means winning hearts and minds of the Afghan people."
A life-long collector of action figures, Valero took the leap to constructionist, he said, out of a need to mentally leave the theater of war.
“We have hours at end sometime where we need something to distract ourselves,” said Valero.
http://www.takepart.com/news/2011/02/15/toys-from-trash-gi-builds-scrap-robots-t...
“Toys are universal, be it in mainstream America, or way out in the middle of the desert,” said Valero, in an interview with Another Limited Rebellion. “There is something wonderful when imagination is spurred up, and if I can do my part and bring a smile to a child, it may deter them from doing something they shouldn’t.”
While some of Valero’s RecyclaBots are available for purchase on Etsy, he's also given the little fellas away to Afghan children he's met in the field.
"When we are outside the wire, and interact with the Afghan locals, I take some of my little creations, and you see the eyes open wide on these little kids," said Valero. "I think I put my humble talent to some use if it means winning hearts and minds of the Afghan people."
A life-long collector of action figures, Valero took the leap to constructionist, he said, out of a need to mentally leave the theater of war.
“We have hours at end sometime where we need something to distract ourselves,” said Valero.
http://www.takepart.com/news/2011/02/15/toys-from-trash-gi-builds-scrap-robots-t...
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