Schools officially open doors in Ameriyah

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Iraqi girls twirl flowers around during a performance in celebration of the official...... read more read more

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Iraqi girls twirl flowers around during a performance in celebration of the official opening of the newly renovated Al Rawadan School in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Ameriyah on March 16.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

03.26.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. James Hunter 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

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By Sgt. James Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Officer, 101st Airborne Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Following months of renovations, two schools in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Ameriyah officially opened their doors on March 16.

With Dr. Nehad, the deputy minister of education, present, the Firdous and Al Rawadan schools held ceremonies to commemorate their openings.

Laughter and excitement filled the air as children danced and sang to the beat of musical instruments. The boys – some dressed in soccer jerseys and dress shirt and tie – chanted in celebration and waved the Iraqi flag. The girls wore their best spring dresses, read poetry and danced throughout the day.

Though the schools were open during the renovation process, it was an opportunity to celebrate the successes within the community and to give back to those in the area who sacrificed so much, especially during periods of serious enemy engagements.

Ameriyah was entrenched in constant fighting a year ago, said Maj. Joel Stephenson, a native of Duluth, Minn., executive officer, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment. The schools in the area suffered some of the impact caused by the enemy activity.

However, the Sons of Iraq, in coordination with the Iraqi army and coalition forces, assisted in securing Ameriyah, bringing justice to the once war-torn area of western Baghdad, said Stephenson.

Attacks against the populace, Iraqi security forces and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, have dropped tremendously since securing the area, he said.

"We maybe have two or three attacks in a weeklong period," Stephenson said. "Then, it may have been 10 to 15 attacks weekly."

With security set, it was time to begin rebuilding the area.

According to Stephenson, there are 17 schools in Ameriyah, and these two schools were the first of a few they plan to renovate.


Windows were blown out, the electricity was bad, and there was no emphasis on technology, he said. This was as MND-B project; however, the contractor who worked on the school and the workers he hired came from within Ameriyah. Coalition forces simply ensured the project went through and was done correctly.

"I think it's mostly transparent to the Iraqis," Stephenson said. "They are obviously appreciative to what we do, but they also recognize the ministry of education and the government of Iraq was involved in this - and that's a good thing. It builds legitimacy when they see the Iraqi government, and they see some of their local governments, doing things for their community."

The schools both have generators running power and electricity into the buildings, as well as new desks, bathrooms and new lights and fixtures. The foundation and the walls in one school were beginning to crack, so the contractor was able to fix that as well.

Also, new computers with Internet access were put into the school.

"There were no computers: no emphasis on any type of technology," Stephenson said. "They are trying to get the most advanced equipment in these schools so their kids can have the best available education."

The schools in Ameriyah, which are historically known for having successful education systems, are not only for the children to have a place to learn but also a source of pride for the Iraqi citizens within the community, said Stephenson. Even when things were bad last summer with enemy activity, the headmaster at the Al Rawadan school made it a point to ensure the kids came to school to experience some sort of normalcy and better themselves as Iraqi citizens through education.

The schools' headmasters told Stephenson through recent discussions they are really proud of their students and how intelligent they are.