Annual Bazaar Brings Holiday Cheer to Kuwait

Exchange associates hosted an annual bazaar in October and November to bring holiday shopping to Warfighters across Southwest Asia.

More than 7,000 service members were able to experience the diversity of the local cultures during the Exchange’s holiday bazaar at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.

Kuwait Services Business Manager Nancy Story worked with Store Manager Ayodhya Hakim and Services Business Technician Ulan Isabaev to coordinate with Camp Arifjan command leaders and successfully hosted the bazaar with over 28 local vendors participating.

“It’s important to bring a taste of home to our Warfighters as they sacrifice being away from their families to serve our country,” Hakim said. “We were thrilled to make the bazaar happen again because we know as deployees it’s not easy to be away from family.”

More than 7,000 service members were able to experience the diversity of the local cultures thanks to the hard work of the Kuwait Exchange team.

“Games and giveaway prizes helped us to make sure the overall shopping experience was fun and exciting for our troops,” Hakim said. “The event helped us to provide a taste of home with a feel of Kuwait.”

Service members were able to send holiday cards to their families and loved ones compliments of the Red Cross during the Exchange’s holiday bazaar at Camp Buehring in Kuwait.

After Story’s retirement in October, Hakim took over as the Kuwait services business manager and forged ahead with his team to bring the bazaar experience to service members at Camp Buehring with tremendous help from the Area Support Group-Kuwait command team. Over eight days, the bazaar at Camp Buehring saw success with 26 local vendors serving more than 4,000 service members.

Camp Buehring Warfighters also had the opportunity to ride camels and send out holiday cards to their families and loved ones, compliments of the Red Cross. Food trucks were also allowed on base for the first time—giving the troops a chance to experience a taste of Kuwait.

“This is a great example of how determined our Exchange teams are to provide great service and products to our military,” said Col. Don Nowlin, Exchange Europe/Southwest Asia/Africa Region commander. “I know our service members appreciate it and I am honored to have such outstanding associates who go above and beyond to serve our Warfighters.”