Photo By Michael Molinaro | Lt. Col. Troy Smith, commander of the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Michael Molinaro
Multi-National Division-Baghdad
BAGHDAD – Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division-Baghdad continue to make great strides on the ground with their Iraqi counterparts, partnering with the Iraqi security forces to sustain a sense of normalcy in Baghdad. As attacks are at an all-time low since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the division moves to support the securing of Iraq's future.
A new partnership is pairing schools and educators in the U.S. with their brethren here in Baghdad to expand that alliance beyond fighting an enemy and to investing in Baghdad's future.
"Our military leaders are reaching out to schools here and back in the U.S. so that educators can exchange information about the latest techniques and instructional methods," said Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, commanding general of MND-B and 4th Inf. Div.
The program was initiated by leaders of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), MND-B. Hammond endorsed the initiative and called for an MND-B-wide program, Sept. 24, 2008. Its focus is pairing Iraqi schools in Baghdad with schools in the U.S. to share information teaching techniques and to develop pen pals between students. Right now 19 schools have partnered up.
"Children are no different in any country," said Lt. Col. Gerry Messmer, MND-B civil military operations officer and native of Interlaken, N.Y. "They want a good education and to grow up to be successful. At MND-B we understand this and believe children of all ages can benefit from a partnership to enhance their educational experience. We have so many things to learn from each other about education, techniques and policies, as well as culturally."
The Ministry of Education supported the idea and assisted MND-B in determining schools to get the program up-and-running. Members of the Killeen Independent School District have been very receptive to the program, said Hammond, a Hattiesburg, Miss. native. A similar program exists between 4th Inf. Div. units and schools in and around Killeen. Now the program wants to expand on a much grander scale.
"The goals are to share information, help each other understand the others country culturally and to help U.S. schools get supplies to Baghdad schools that need supplies," said Messmer.
Ministry of Education personnel let it be known that there is a lack of books in English available for students to learn English. As word began to spread about the program, an English training aide and supply donation drive was conducted in Nebraska, Wisconsin and Virginia. English, math and science books were collected and shipped from Fort Campbell, Ky., to Camp Liberty for distribution to students in the partnered schools.
While citizens all across the country are beginning to believe in the program, Soldiers from MND-B and the 4th Inf. Div. have been hard at work ensuring the children of Baghdad have good schools they can attend.
MND-B has assisted the MoE in building or remodeling more than 350 school projects since December at a cost of more than $47 million, Messmer said. They share dialogue to ensure Iraqi standards are met and the qualities of the schools are as good as any you will find in the U.S.
Coalition forces rebuild schools and enhance the education opportunities for Iraqi children since the start of the war. Through this partnership, MND-B is now taking it another step further to make certain that children and educators of the two countries are linked forever.
"I have two teenage children, so education is big with me," Hammond remarked. "These new relationships will encourage children to share ideas and experiences which are common to all children everywhere. These new friendships will last through time and strengthen the bonds between our people and our nations."
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2008 12:36 |
| Story ID: | 24247 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 274 |
| Downloads: | 269 |
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