Kirtland sergeant lends helping hand to Kenyan orphans

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • Kirtland Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Six years ago, Staff Sgt. Dominic Kosgei left his poverty-stricken community in Kenya, Africa, to seek a better life in the United States.

To give back to the country that gave him hope and opportunity, he joined the Air Force. Kirtland is the first duty station for Kosgei, who is NCO in charge of traffic management for the 377th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

"I asked myself what I could do to say thank you for welcoming me and allowing me to pursue my dreams,'" said Kosgei. "I decided the best thing to do would be to serve, to try to help these people and protect them."

Kosgei's motives weren't just to give back to his adopted country, but also to help his native Kenya. His main desire in life is to inspire people and make a difference in the world, and he knew staying in Kenya wouldn't give him the skills he would need to accomplish this.

"I've always wanted to be a leader," he said. "I looked at people around me suffering, and what was happening in my country, and I wasn't happy.  Being there would not give me a good crown for leadership. I wanted to expand my mind, explore and gain the necessary skills for leadership.

So he did some research and decided coming to America was his best option, and joining the Air Force would not only allow him to give back to the country that welcomed him, but also equip him with the tools needed to pursue his own goals.

"The Air Force had everything I wanted," he said. "I'm gaining knowledge, experience and leadership skills."

Kosgei has not forgotten his homeland. He promised himself when he left Kenya that he would do everything he could to help those in need.

"I've seen people suffer. I've seen young people being oppressed. I've seen institutions mismanage resources at the expense of poor people (and) nobody who will step up to help them. I can't see these things happening and not do something. This has truly motivated me, and I promised myself that no matter what, I will do something," Kosgei said.

Every December, on his birthday, he hosts a charity run and uses the funds raised to help orphaned children in his hometown in Kenya. He travels back to country every year to provide assistance and motivate the children to not lose hope.

He's also heavily involved with the Kirtland community. Among other accomplishments, Kosgei, a champion-level runner who has never lost in Kirtland's quarterly Tiger Run, started a running club with a mission of helping other Airmen improve their scores on physical training tests.

Kosgei's efforts have been noticed by Air Force leaders. In May, he received the American Legion Spirit of Service Award. One active-duty member from each service is chosen annually for the award in recognition of their exemplary efforts in volunteering in their communities.

"This award shows I'm on the right track, that I'm doing the right thing in trying to make a difference," he said. "I'm proud the leadership wants to recognize me for what I'm doing, and hopefully people behind me will want to follow me and emulate what I'm trying to do."

Kosgei plans to re-enlist in 2016, and eventually, he would like return to Kenya.