American Forces Press Service
March 28, 2008 - The first day of school at Jan Qadam elementary school in Afghanistan's Parwan province March 24 was alive with throngs of excited children, dignitaries, government officials and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan soldiers who dedicated a new school library and science lab. Adul Waquel, head of the District Development Council, specifically thanked the children of Calvert City Elementary School, in Calvert City, Ky., for their partnership with the Jan Qadam School. Waquel noted the importance of the relationship between the school and all those who helped make it a great place to learn.
"The partnership between the schools is a community-based initiative between the people and students of Calvert City Elementary School and the Jan Qadam School and community," said Army Lt. Col. Kenneth Watson, a member of the special operations task force.
After the speeches and a prayer, the new school library was dedicated to Afghan Gen. Baba Jan, a retired Afghan military commander who donated the land for the school. The library is filled with books donated by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The distinguished guests and visitors toured the school and visited the new science lab. It is the only science lab in the Bagram School District, which has 32 schools, including seven high schools.
"School is the factory that produces positive individuals for society," Waquel said.
Jan Qadam hosts more than 1,200 students who are taught in two shifts.
Village elders passed out backpacks to more than 500 students, and Calvert Elementary children donated notebooks, pens, pencils, glue and rulers to their Afghan counterparts.
The partnership with Calvert Elementary is just beginning. In addition to the supplies provided, students from a second-grade class there wrote letters to students at the Jan Qadam school. Calvert students were mostly interested in what Afghan children do at home during their free time.
"My name is Erin, I'm from Calvert, Kentucky," one of the letters starts out. "I can't wait to learn about your culture."
Most of the Calvert students seemed interested in the differences between Afghan children and American children, with most listing their favorite sports and after-school activities.
"It bridges cultures and helps educate future generations about other people who share our world," Watson said.
"We will pass the translated letters out to the Afghan children and send their replies back to the states," a coalition commander said. "Sometime in the next few months, students from Calvert City will travel to Fort Campbell, Ky., to have a video teleconference with some of the Afghan students."
"It was a great day for the people of Jan Qadam, the Ministry of Education, the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and coalition forces," Watson said. "It reinforces our ties and commitment to the community and people of Afghanistan and helps foster an enduring relationship."
(From a Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan news release.)
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Iraqi Girls School Gets Computers, Internet Service
By Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - Their school's infrastructure may be behind the times, but education has been thrust into the modern era at an Iraqi school for girls. Thanks to the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team, the Kut Girls Secondary School received an Internet center, complete with 10 computer and furniture. The school, established in 1932, educates 1,000 girls in grades 10 to 12.
Girls from throughout the province will use the center, School Manager Zahrah Aljdrey said. In addition to giving students the ability to do research and work on projects, the center will allow girls to complete exam they otherwise would have to travel to Baghdad to take.
Aljdrey said the computers will help students get a better education and will give them the opportunity to learn about different cultures.
Army Sgt. Amanda Timmer, the Wasit PRT's head of women's initiatives and program manager for the Internet center, the project provided her with a feeling of satisfaction.
"It was great, especially after talking with the girls and seeing how optimistic and energetic they were," Timmer said. "It was as if they could sense that the world was at their fingertips -- like they knew they were the future of Iraq.
"They already had the initiative, but this gives them the tools to help accomplish their initiatives and ambitions," she said.
The project was a cooperative effort between the Wasit PRT, the Wasit provincial council and the Iraqi director general of education.
(Army Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles serves with the 214th Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - Their school's infrastructure may be behind the times, but education has been thrust into the modern era at an Iraqi school for girls. Thanks to the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team, the Kut Girls Secondary School received an Internet center, complete with 10 computer and furniture. The school, established in 1932, educates 1,000 girls in grades 10 to 12.
Girls from throughout the province will use the center, School Manager Zahrah Aljdrey said. In addition to giving students the ability to do research and work on projects, the center will allow girls to complete exam they otherwise would have to travel to Baghdad to take.
Aljdrey said the computers will help students get a better education and will give them the opportunity to learn about different cultures.
Army Sgt. Amanda Timmer, the Wasit PRT's head of women's initiatives and program manager for the Internet center, the project provided her with a feeling of satisfaction.
"It was great, especially after talking with the girls and seeing how optimistic and energetic they were," Timmer said. "It was as if they could sense that the world was at their fingertips -- like they knew they were the future of Iraq.
"They already had the initiative, but this gives them the tools to help accomplish their initiatives and ambitions," she said.
The project was a cooperative effort between the Wasit PRT, the Wasit provincial council and the Iraqi director general of education.
(Army Sgt. 1st Class Stacy Niles serves with the 214th Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office.)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Iraqi Army, U.S. Troops Deliver Backpacks to School Children
By Sgt. James P. Hunter, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 26, 2007 - The troops who provide a security situation that allows Iraqi children to attend school are helping those same children here get the most of that experience. "I have always been a believer that when you are in school the only thing you should worry about is learning, and all teachers should be worried about is teaching," said Army 1st Lt. Reimund G. Manneck Jr., fire support officer with Company A, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment.
"I think especially in a safe place like Adil, where kids and teachers can go to school on their own without any fear, they should be at least afforded a good building and plenty of supplies so they can focus on learning and not worry that they will run out of notebooks and pencils and that their building is falling apart," Manneck added.
Iraqi army soldiers and Company A troops, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), delivered backpacks to school children at the Kawaryzmi Primary School in Adil earlier this month.
The headmasters at the school were complaining they didn't receive enough school supplies for their students for the entirety of the school year, said Hartsdale, N.Y., native Manneck. This was the second school they delivered supplies to, with the first being Al Khullud Secondary School for Girls.
So working with the Iraqi army, the U.S. soldiers gathered the supplies and delivered them to very enthusiastic, but well-mannered students.
In charge of delivering these supplies were the soldiers of 3rd Company of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division.
Their company commander, Capt. Hyder, according to Manneck, "is very willing to help the people."
"Of all Iraqi army officers we have met, he is the best in helping the community," and is very understanding of the needs of the Iraqi people, he said.
"He understands that in order to pull the population away from the insurgents you need to work with and help people," continued Manneck. "He is always planning humanitarian assistance and medical-type drops."
Sometimes pulling these supplies in can be difficult for the Iraqi army, Manneck said. So, this is where the U.S. troops step in to help by providing the supplies. But it is still the Iraqi army up front, providing for their people.
"We learn about the schools who need supplies through the Iraqi army," said 1st Lt. Robert Behrman, with Company B, 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. "If it weren't for the Iraqi army, school supply missions wouldn't happen. These are things that are motivated, initiated and driven by the Iraqi army."
With the Iraqi army out interacting with the people, finding out their needs can only mean immediate change, said Behrman. With the Iraqi army enjoying the trust of local citizens, the soldiers can continue to reach out and conduct their security mission.
"It builds people's confidence and trust in them, something that used to lack here in Adil but has been getting better since we have been doing these joint operations," Manneck said.
(Army Sgt. James P. Hunter serves with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Public Affairs.)
Special to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 26, 2007 - The troops who provide a security situation that allows Iraqi children to attend school are helping those same children here get the most of that experience. "I have always been a believer that when you are in school the only thing you should worry about is learning, and all teachers should be worried about is teaching," said Army 1st Lt. Reimund G. Manneck Jr., fire support officer with Company A, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment.
"I think especially in a safe place like Adil, where kids and teachers can go to school on their own without any fear, they should be at least afforded a good building and plenty of supplies so they can focus on learning and not worry that they will run out of notebooks and pencils and that their building is falling apart," Manneck added.
Iraqi army soldiers and Company A troops, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), delivered backpacks to school children at the Kawaryzmi Primary School in Adil earlier this month.
The headmasters at the school were complaining they didn't receive enough school supplies for their students for the entirety of the school year, said Hartsdale, N.Y., native Manneck. This was the second school they delivered supplies to, with the first being Al Khullud Secondary School for Girls.
So working with the Iraqi army, the U.S. soldiers gathered the supplies and delivered them to very enthusiastic, but well-mannered students.
In charge of delivering these supplies were the soldiers of 3rd Company of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division.
Their company commander, Capt. Hyder, according to Manneck, "is very willing to help the people."
"Of all Iraqi army officers we have met, he is the best in helping the community," and is very understanding of the needs of the Iraqi people, he said.
"He understands that in order to pull the population away from the insurgents you need to work with and help people," continued Manneck. "He is always planning humanitarian assistance and medical-type drops."
Sometimes pulling these supplies in can be difficult for the Iraqi army, Manneck said. So, this is where the U.S. troops step in to help by providing the supplies. But it is still the Iraqi army up front, providing for their people.
"We learn about the schools who need supplies through the Iraqi army," said 1st Lt. Robert Behrman, with Company B, 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. "If it weren't for the Iraqi army, school supply missions wouldn't happen. These are things that are motivated, initiated and driven by the Iraqi army."
With the Iraqi army out interacting with the people, finding out their needs can only mean immediate change, said Behrman. With the Iraqi army enjoying the trust of local citizens, the soldiers can continue to reach out and conduct their security mission.
"It builds people's confidence and trust in them, something that used to lack here in Adil but has been getting better since we have been doing these joint operations," Manneck said.
(Army Sgt. James P. Hunter serves with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Public Affairs.)
Monday, December 03, 2007
Officials Cut Ribbon for New Afghan School
By Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian P. Seymour, USNSpecial to American Forces Press Service
Dec. 3, 2007 - Coalition mentors stationed in northern Afghanistan continue to take interest in the country's future by investing time and money in the "younger generation." An embedded training team assigned to Afghan Regional Security Integration Command North has partnered with members of the Afghan National Army's 209th Corps, 1st Battalion, 5th Kandak, to provide a better education for local children from the Balkh district.
In a construction project that supports procedures outlined in the Afghan National Development Strategy, the coalition and Afghan partnership erected a 10-room school from the ground up in the nearby village of Deh-i-Qazi.
The project, which broke ground last summer by the hands of the Jama Balkh Construction and Road Rehabilitation Co., took less than four months to complete. It was known formally as the "Deh-i-Qazi School and Bridge Project" by the coalition mentors who received, processed and implemented the town's request.
Originally, village elders and the principal of the school's previous location – on a mosque floor, or outdoors – came together and asked the ANA for a better equipped and more centralized location for a children's secondary school. The ANA then sent the request to ARSIC-N, who formally requested the project be approved by the Balkh Provincial Ministry of Education.
The ARSIC-N civil-military operations officer, Air Force Capt. Todd McDowell, requested funding from the Commander's Emergency Response Program, a program designed to enable local commanders to respond to urgent humanitarian relief and reconstruction needs.
"We were eager to help the residents of Deh-i-Qazi," McDowell said. "Once we initially visited the village last spring, we witnessed their conditions firsthand. They were sitting on carpets in the shade under a tree. It was obvious that the kids were enthusiastic about attending school, and they definitely needed a permanent structure to call their own."
It is unclear precisely how many children eventually will become students at this new site, which opened today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It is estimated some 1,200 children reside in four villages surrounding the new facility.
The project manager, Army Sgt. Maj. David Stevens, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 5th Kandak ETT to the ANA's 209th Corps, is optimistic.
"Being able to actually learn inside a classroom verses outside with no desks, chairs or blackboards, and temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, is a tremendous step forward," Stevens said. "Also, with the new school, it is expected more children will attend school."
Guests in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Maj. Gen. Murad Ali, ANA 209th Corps commander; Brig. Gen. Abduraf Taj, Balkh provincial chief of police; Tamoursha Faez, Balkh district governor; and several local elders and faculty members.
Ali asserted the precedent this school and others like it set for the future of Afghanistan.
"In the past, the younger generation has been taught to take up arms," Ali said. "We are now building universities and great institutions for them to learn about their culture. We must continue to make education of our younger generation a priority."
(Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian P. Seymour serves with Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan Public Affairs.)
Friday, January 26, 2007
Iraqis Celebrate School Reopening, Forces Provide Aid to Citizens
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 25, 2007 – An Iraqi neighborhood north of Ramadi celebrated the reopening of its school Jan. 23, U.S. and Iraqi forces provided aid to citizens in Adhamiyah this week, and students in Tal Afar received cold weather gear from Iraqi forces Jan. 22, military officials reported. Visiting Iraqi army soldiers and coalition forces attended the celebration for the school reopening north of Ramadi. Community leaders asked Maj. Derek Horst, civil affairs team leader with the 4th Civil Affairs Group, to cut the ribbon for the Al Haitham School, which provides classes for the Abu Jassim tribe.
The school was temporarily closed in November for renovations. Tribal leader Sheik Taher, who oversaw the renovations, led a group of community leaders and military personnel on a brief tour of the building after the ribbon cutting.
"We're making progress day after day," said 1st Lt. Stuart Barnes, civil affairs team leader with Company B, 486th Civil Affairs Battalion. Barnes said attendance at the school shows that stability in the area continues to increase.
The school, which began holding classes again earlier this month, hosts an estimated 200 to 300 students, Barnes said.
In other news, residents of the Adhamiyah section of eastern Baghdad picked up needed supplies this week following a visit by soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team and their Iraqi army counterparts.
In coordination with the Adhamiyah district council, U.S. and Iraqi troops delivered clothes, toys, vitamins and toiletries to more than 500 residents in a local theater. Especially popular with the youth were soccer balls and comic books. Also, a U.S. medic treated a woman with low blood sugar.
It would have been impossible to deliver the goods without U.S.-Iraqi cooperation, according to Capt. Drew Corbin, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment.
"The Iraqi police were very helpful today," he said. "They provided security and helped distribute the humanitarian assistance bags."
The humanitarian assistance drop is part of a U.S.-Iraqi effort to reduce sectarian violence and help bring security to Baghdad.
In another operation in Tal Afar, students from the Kawla and Darar Primary schools received an assortment of winter clothing, school supplies, and additional treats from Tal Afar's Mayor Najim, Iraqi police officers, and soldiers of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, during Operation Warm-Up Jan. 22.
Mayor Najim and the delegation traveled from classroom to classroom, providing the students with winter clothing and Iraqi flags. In addition, the school headmaster at each location was provided a first-aid kit with instructions for medication.
The total items distributed included 280 items of winter clothing, 650 pencils, 250 pens, 200 erasers, 60 spiral notebooks and 30 folders. Every child received school supplies and candy.
Operation Warm-Up was a targeted mission conducted as part of the ongoing Iraqi police and coalition humanitarian assistance program Operation Kids.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and police and military personnel who have written books.
Jan. 25, 2007 – An Iraqi neighborhood north of Ramadi celebrated the reopening of its school Jan. 23, U.S. and Iraqi forces provided aid to citizens in Adhamiyah this week, and students in Tal Afar received cold weather gear from Iraqi forces Jan. 22, military officials reported. Visiting Iraqi army soldiers and coalition forces attended the celebration for the school reopening north of Ramadi. Community leaders asked Maj. Derek Horst, civil affairs team leader with the 4th Civil Affairs Group, to cut the ribbon for the Al Haitham School, which provides classes for the Abu Jassim tribe.
The school was temporarily closed in November for renovations. Tribal leader Sheik Taher, who oversaw the renovations, led a group of community leaders and military personnel on a brief tour of the building after the ribbon cutting.
"We're making progress day after day," said 1st Lt. Stuart Barnes, civil affairs team leader with Company B, 486th Civil Affairs Battalion. Barnes said attendance at the school shows that stability in the area continues to increase.
The school, which began holding classes again earlier this month, hosts an estimated 200 to 300 students, Barnes said.
In other news, residents of the Adhamiyah section of eastern Baghdad picked up needed supplies this week following a visit by soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team and their Iraqi army counterparts.
In coordination with the Adhamiyah district council, U.S. and Iraqi troops delivered clothes, toys, vitamins and toiletries to more than 500 residents in a local theater. Especially popular with the youth were soccer balls and comic books. Also, a U.S. medic treated a woman with low blood sugar.
It would have been impossible to deliver the goods without U.S.-Iraqi cooperation, according to Capt. Drew Corbin, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment.
"The Iraqi police were very helpful today," he said. "They provided security and helped distribute the humanitarian assistance bags."
The humanitarian assistance drop is part of a U.S.-Iraqi effort to reduce sectarian violence and help bring security to Baghdad.
In another operation in Tal Afar, students from the Kawla and Darar Primary schools received an assortment of winter clothing, school supplies, and additional treats from Tal Afar's Mayor Najim, Iraqi police officers, and soldiers of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, during Operation Warm-Up Jan. 22.
Mayor Najim and the delegation traveled from classroom to classroom, providing the students with winter clothing and Iraqi flags. In addition, the school headmaster at each location was provided a first-aid kit with instructions for medication.
The total items distributed included 280 items of winter clothing, 650 pencils, 250 pens, 200 erasers, 60 spiral notebooks and 30 folders. Every child received school supplies and candy.
Operation Warm-Up was a targeted mission conducted as part of the ongoing Iraqi police and coalition humanitarian assistance program Operation Kids.
Article sponsored by criminal justice leadership; and police and military personnel who have written books.
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