Community Celebrates Bakaria School Renovation (This will brings SMILES!)

Defend America News ^ | Spc. Rodney Foliente

[SandRat]

A boy holding his gift of school supplies salutes, as his classmates express their thanks for the donated supplies after a ceremony to celebrate the completion of renovations at Al Hudaybiya Elementary School in Bakaria, of the Gazaliyah neighborhood, located southwest of Baghdad, April 23, 2006. The supplies were donated by the Family Readiness Group of Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rodney Foliente
Community Celebrates Bakaria School Renovation
Local contractors were selected for the renovation project, funded by the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment commander's emergency relief fund.
By U.S. Army Spc. Rodney Foliente 4th Infantry Division BAGHDAD, May 4, 2006 — Soldiers from the Iraqi army and Multinational Division–Baghdad surprised between 400 to 500 children of Al Hudaybiya Elementary School April 23 with free school supplies during a celebration to mark the completion of the school renovations in Bakaria, within the Gazaliyah neighborhood, located southwest of Baghdad. “I was very glad by what happened today. The neighborhood is very pleased about the renovations done on this school. This project will strengthen our bonds.” Ghanim, school headmaster U.S. troops assigned to 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, visited the school they supported throughout the reconstruction project to distribute school supply packages. Assisting them were Iraqi soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, in addition to U.S. soldiers from Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and from Company A, 448th Civil Affairs Battalion, which is attached to 4th Infantry Division. “We’re doing this to provide for the educational welfare of the people of Gazaliyah and the children of Al Hudaybiyah School,” said U.S. Army Capt. Mark Taum, a Honolulu native and team leader with Company A, 448th Civil Affairs. Education and academics, a key operational focus of civil affairs soldiers, helps to improve conditions for the Iraqi people, said Taum. “This application shows the village and surrounding people of Bakaria that despite combat operations, the coalition and (Iraqi security forces) can also enhance the welfare of the neighborhood,” he said. The reconstruction took around 40 days to complete and cost approximately $62,000. It was funded by the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment commander’s emergency relief program, which provides immediate assistance to the populace, said U.S. Army Capt. Nick Armstrong, effects coordinator, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment. U.S. soldiers from the regiment noticed the school was in dire need and requested reconstruction funds for the school, said Taum. A civil affairs team then assessed the school and verified the need. Local contractors were chosen for the project, added Armstrong, “which helps put the money in the pockets of the local economy.” Iraqi and U.S. soldiers unload boxes of donated school supplies prior to a ceremony celebrating the completion of renovations at Al Hudaybiya Elementary School in Bakaria, of the Gazaliyah neighborhood, located southwest of Baghdad, Iraq, April 23, 2006. The supplies were donated by the Family Readiness Group of Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rodney Foliente	An Iraqi soldier distributes donated school supplies to a student during a ceremony celebrating the completion of renovations for the Al Hudaybiya Elementary School in Bakaria, of the Gazaliyah neighborhood, located southwest of Baghdad. April 23, 2006. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Rodney Foliente Some of the renovations included setting up the school yard and soccer field, revamping the electric and plumbing, putting in new bathrooms, tiling, painting the exterior and interior, and repairs to the ceiling, windows and doors, said Ghanim, headmaster for the school, through a translator. The school supplies students received were donated by the Family Readiness Group of 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, from the unit’s home station, Fort Drum, N.Y., said Armstrong. One young male student pointed at his chest and then pointed at the chest of one of the Iraqi soldiers, telling a U.S. soldier, “It’s good,” before receiving his supplies. The Iraqi soldier patted the boy on his shoulder and returned his smile. “It helps to show that the Iraqi army cares about the local population, the children, their safety and well-being,” said Armstrong. Such events reassure the locals and help gain their support in cleaning up their neighborhoods and making them safer, added Taum. The students represent Iraq’s future and events like this help reassure them of their government and provide hope for a better tomorrow. “I am very happy because you fix our school and our country,” said Ali, a fourth grader at the school, through a translator. He also proudly held up his new school supplies, pointing excitedly. The children put on a loud and boisterous performance which included the singing of the Iraqi national anthem for the soldiers, and engaged soldiers in conversation, high-fives, antics, smiles and laughter. “Seeing and hearing the Iraqi children sing and show their appreciation is a benefit of doing these missions,” said Taum. “Having an event where the school officials and the Iraqi army work together sets the conditions for future humanitarian missions and greater cooperation.” Imeena, a teacher at the school, expressed her thanks to the Iraqi government and the American soldiers, adding that the children and teachers have more hope for the future. “I was very glad by what happened today,” said Ghanim. “The neighborhood is very pleased about the renovations done on this school. This project will strengthen our bonds. “I entered education because of my love of teaching and of the children. Those kids will grow up and they will be the future.”

[SandRat]

The Happy SMILING Faces of Excited Young Children Light Up the WORLD!

[singfreedom]

ABSOLUTELY! These are the same reasons I went into education. Some things don't change from culture to culture or nation to nation.

[McGavin999]

It is the children who have kept our soldiers morale up so high, it is because of the children that they are so sure this war is winable.

[Bahbah]

No, no, they have their hands in the air because we are terrorizing them. The smiles are photo shopped. LOL.

[processing please hold]

Great story, thanks.

[Valin]

bump.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT