Kiwis Build Playground For Afghan Children (New Zealanders)

Defend America News ^ | Nov 18, 2005 | Staff Sergeant Tim Rowe New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team

[SandRat]

New Zealand Lance Corporal Josh Whitehead puts the finishing touches to the swing set he built for Markaz Girls' High School in Bamyan, Afghanistan. Standing in front is U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brian Curtis. New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team photo
Kiwis Build Playground For Afghan Children
The playground equipment was built in three weeks with scrap metal from around the compound.
By Staff Sergeant Tim Rowe New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team BAMYAN, Afghanistan, Nov. 18, 2005 — The New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan recently built a swing set and basketball court at Markaz Girls' High School near Kiwi Base in Bamyan. The project, marking the first playground in Bamyan, was planned by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nick Hallock, the former U.S. liaison officer to the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team. Although Hallock left in September, the team picked up the project, determined to finish it for "the colonel." The playground equipment was built in three weeks with scrap metal from around the compound by Lance Cpl. Josh (JT) Whitehead (Kaiwaka), New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team fitter. He designed the kit-set, so it could easily be moved and set up. Although he had never built playground equipment before, he was eager to try. The A student at Markaz Girls' High School shoots a basket through the new hoop installed by the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team. New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team photo	Students of Markaz Girls' High School try out the swing set. New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team photo biggest challenge during the construction was getting the framework of the swing set square on the uneven ground. The playground equipment was set up in two hours and has proven to be extremely popular with the children of Markaz Girls' High School, which also educates boys up to 10-years-old. Since arriving in Bamyan, the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team has established a good relationship with Markaz and other local schools. An English language program, taught by New Zealand and American personnel, has been established there. The team has also facilitated the building and repair of many school buildings and distributed a large amount of humanitarian aid throughout the province's schools.

[SandRat]

Now this should make you SMILE!!!!!

[blackie]

Big Kiwi ~ Bump!

[BlazingArizona]

Big Kiwi ~ Bump!

There are two things to keep in mind about the Kiwis:

1. They can make galvanized iron into anything
2. Everything they do involves helicopters. They can make a cow milking operation look like "Apocalypse Now".

[Maceman]

They can make galvanized iron into anything

Gee. I'm amazed they can even hold a welding tool.

[shaggy eel]

,,, doing it at the other end of the world. Good find Blackie.

[shaggy eel]

,,, there's not many countries where you won't find a Kiwi involved in some aspect of aviation, particularly helicopters.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[blackie]

Ha! ;)

[blackie]

I'm on SandRat's ping list. ;)

Happy, Happy!