Stories

From the neighborhoods of D.C. to a suburban town in Poland, KBRwyle employees around the globe are investing in their local communities. They are striving to better the places where they live and work and proactively searching for ways to give back.

KBRwyle employees have found a way to make a difference in Zary, Poland – a city close to where they work supporting the U.S. Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation (LOGCAP) IV Program. Over the last two years, these men and women have forged a relationship with the Association of Friends of Hansel and Gretel Orphanage. They have cared for its children and staff by spending time at the orphanage, buying holiday gifts and sponsoring outings.

KBRwyle employees gather with children at the Association of Friends of Hansel and Gretel Orphanage during this Christmas.

Employees initially reached out to the orphanage after looking for ways to do good for the Polish community that warmly welcomed them.

"Our search led us to the children with the most amazing personalities and hearts," said Martin Isaac, KBRwyle Facilities Supervisor. "At first, a group of employees went to the orphanage simply to spend time with the children and play soccer, and then we donated food."

"It grew from there into a lasting relationship of mutual respect. The overwhelming takeaway from these children is their positive attitudes and outlook on the future as well as being so thankful for us being part of their lives," he continued.

KBRwyle employees' raised over $7,000 to buy Christmas presents for children at a local Polish orphanage.

Since KBRwyle employees began investing in the lives of these children, they have spent two Christmas holidays at the orphanage.

"During our first Christmas with the children, they displayed such appreciation and outpouring of emotions. These children are in difficult situations and simply seeing a smile on their face is very gratifying," said Isaac.

"At that point we all decided to de-facto adopt the children as a group and do what we could to better their lives if but for a moment. It has become very personal for so many of us and these children allow us to feel closer to family."

This past holiday season employees raised over $7,000 to buy Christmas presents for the 29 children who ranged from six to 17 years old. They sponsored each child and purchased gifts based on their wish list. The lists included items like electric scooters, trousers, sneakers, games and bikes. Like the year prior, KBRwyle sponsors outnumbered the children.

Martin Isaac, KBRwyle Facilities Supervisor, receives a certificate and painting drawn by a child from the orphanage. This painting shows the orphanage children's gratitude to employees for sponsoring a trip to an amusement park last year.

As a surprise gift, the KBRwyle team also promised to pay for all the children and their caregivers to go to Tropical Islands, a stunning water park in Germany. Employees sponsored a similar trip last June, sending the kids to an amusement park for a day.

Even in light of the employees' donations to the orphanage, they believe the children have given them so much more.

"The children teach us no matter the circumstances we can keep a positive outlook toward the future, we can hold our heads high and how we treat others is more important than how they treat us," said Isaac. "I strongly believe we receive more from these children than they receive from us."

KBRwyle employees in Zary, Poland have bought Christmas presents for the children at a local orphanage for the past two years.