Photo By Col. Wayne Marotto | Lt. Col. Michael Shrout (third from left), Commander, Task Force 2-6 IN, 2nd Brigade...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Lt. Col. Wayne Marotto
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
BAGHDAD – Wurwood Kindergarten School officially reopened its doors on Nov. 21 in the Rasheed neighborhood of Salman Pak after a two-month-long refurbishing period.
The school has 350 students enrolled, aged 4 to 5 years old, and six class rooms. Prior to the refurbishment, the school could only hold 60 students. The school employs eight teachers, a director and an assistant.
"The neighborhood families feel safe sending their kids to the school," said Nawad Abid Alaziz, the school's headmistress, adding that the refurbishment flows in synch with the improved security in the area.
Capt. William Richardson, the commander of Company C, Task Force 2nd Bn., 6th Inf. Regt., 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, along with his Soldiers, attended the building dedication ceremony. His unit assisted the Iraqi army, local sheiks and contractors in achieving their success at the school.
"The increased professionalism of the Iraqi army has made the area more secure," Richardson said.
The brightly painted and orderly school contrasts to what the building's condition was a short time ago. Much of the building had been hit by gunfire and was strewn with garbage.
Alaziz led Richardson, along with Iraqi army officers and local sheiks on a tour of the school.
Alaziz said she was pleased with the $80,000 refurbishment and that she watches television and sees American kindergarten schools and dreams of having schools like that in Iraq to educate their children.
"We need more rugs, a hot water heater, space heaters for the classrooms and more furniture," Alaziz told the group.
Richardson said he felt improving education opportunities for the children requires efforts from all those involved.
"Yes, that's very important because the kids are the future, and with the help of the IA, Sheiks and neighborhood, we can make the school better," said Richardson.
The kindergarten project is a micro part of a larger macro program in the neighborhood. The overall objective of the Disarmament, Disbandment and Reintegration is to pump $5.6 million in the area to stimulate the economy and provide employment and vocational skills for lasting employability.
The money will be spent on seven construction projects, which will include two more kindergarten schools in the neighborhood, a land registration office, roads, a clinic, new fire trucks and new ambulances.
Mr. Razaaq, a Civil Service Corps contractor, whose students refurbished the school, also attended the opening. Eighty-seven of his students worked on the Wurwood kindergarten. His vocational program trains students on carpentry, masonry, electrical, crane operators and laying asphalt.
"The program provides good paying jobs for the members of the community," said Razaaq.
The DDR program provided nine local Sheiks the opportunity to nominate people from their tribes to enter the program.
"Before the program, there were no job opportunities in the area. It's good because it provides jobs and gives positive alternatives for the young," said Sheik Hussein.
Lt. Col. Michael Shrout, commander of TF 2-6, who is partnered with the 9th Iraqi army division in the area, was asked by the Iraqis to cut the ribbon to signify the opening.
"Thank you for your gracious offer," said Shrout, "but this school was built by Iraqi workers for Iraqi children with the support of the Iraqi army maintaining security. We [coalition forces] are just your fans to cheer you on."
Col. Muhammad Ali, who serves with 1st Battalion, 35th Brigade, 9th IA Div., took the honor of cutting the ribbon to signify the official opening.
Two more schools are planned to open in the neighborhood in the near future.
| Date Taken: | 11.22.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.22.2008 14:08 |
| Story ID: | 26671 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 329 |
| Downloads: | 243 |
This work, Salman Pak refurbished school opens for students, by COL Wayne Marotto, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
