Iraq's Diyala Province Schools Get a Makeover

Defend America News ^ | Pfc. Cassandra Groce

[SandRat]

U.S. Army Maj. Rhonda A. Keisman (second from right) checks the progress of Iraq's Muqdadiyah Technical School. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Cassandra Groce
Iraq's Diyala Province Schools Get a Makeover
A U.S. Army civil affairs team and Iraqi engineers monitor reconstruction work on three schools, ensuring the contractors meet the necessary requirements.
By U.S. Army Pfc. Cassandra Groce 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment MUQDADIYAH, Iraq, Feb. 27, 2006 — Through the efforts of Iraqi locals and coalition forces, the schools in Iraq's Diyala Province are getting a makeover. "The goal is to turn the projects over to the Iraqi government, not only for funding, but for prioritization and getting them to use a method to determine which projects they want to do and in what order." U.S. Army Maj. Rhonda A. Keisman “The conditions of the schools, many that I have seen, are so bad and so dirty,” said U.S. Army Maj. Rhonda A. Keisman, a civil affairs team leader in the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division. “They are not conducive to a learning environment. We have made great progress in that.” Keisman, her civil affairs team and Iraqi engineers have been monitoring the construction of three schools here. The projects will benefit many civilians in Muqdadiyah. “With the Muqdadiyah Technical School, which is a fairly large project, will benefit quite a few people with a population of approximately 140,000,” said Keisman. “This project has been under construction now for approximately two months and should be complete within another two months.” The projects here are checked by Keisman and an Iraqi engineer to ensure the contractors are meeting all necessary requirements. “I have started using the Iraqi engineers more because the expertise is not in our field,” said Keisman. “I’m not an engineer. I fund the projects and then pay the contractors. I can look and identify some of the problems, but for his technical expertise, I use the Iraqi engineers.” The standards governing the construction projects do not follow the same guidelines as American projects. “Their standards are much different than ours,” said Keisman. “We are used to 2x4 and stability in there (in American construction), and these are just like tree stumps that they use for their bracing. That is their standard, and it is all that is required.” Since the standards are different, the projects are checked based on a list called a “scope of work.” Keisman and Iraqi	U.S. Army Maj. Rhonda A. Keisman checks the water valves at a local Iraqi school in Muqdadiyah, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Cassandra Groce engineers check the performance of the contractor against a list of what he has agreed to do. The engineers check the stability and quality of the reconstruction. “They (engineers) identify some of the problems, the more technical things,” said Keisman. “That assists me when I talk to the contractors … I can still point out some of the problems and inconsistencies based on what the Iraqi engineers have told me upfront.” The projects being worked on in the Diyala Province are being turned over to the Iraqi government, much like security responsibilities in Iraq. “The goal is to turn the projects over to the Iraqi government, not only for funding, but for prioritization and getting them to use a method to determine which projects they want to do and in what order,” said Keisman. With the partnership between coalition forces and Iraqi officials, the quality of living conditions for students will continue to improve. “The renovations are needed for those schools that are ongoing, because they have gone for many years without any work maintenance or upkeep,” said Keisman. “We’re getting the city council chairman as well as the engineers and mayor involved so everyone can help keep the contractor accountable.”

[mosquewatch.com]

Great News ! If only we could stop the Church burnings........

[ExcursionGuy84]

If only we could stop the Church burnings..

Here (USA) or there (Iraq)?

[mosquewatch.com]

Yes and Yes! ;)

[ExcursionGuy84]

I stand with you...and President Bush...and after him, hopefully, Senator George Allen for President 2008.