Courtesy Photo | Sgt. 1st Class Dennis O'Connor of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division...... read more read more
Pfc. Luke Allen
1/10th Mountain Division PAO
BAGHDAD -- Little by little, a U.S. Army civil affairs team is helping Iraqis learn to help themselves.
Going by the saying, "If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day; but if you teach him how to fish, you will feed him for a lifetime," the Soldiers attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division hope they'll soon have villages full of fishermen.
The brigade currently has more than 130 projects underway, with several already up and running.
"They are doing a very good job. We are appreciative of these Soldiers who come to provide these opportunities for us," said Nahal Abdulgabar, an official from the Special Needs Institute in Khadra.
On a cool autumn morning Oct. 25, these 10th Mountain Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment dropped much-needed supplies to Iraqi neighborhoods throughout western Baghdad. Their goal is to help Iraqis help themselves by working with local officials to create jobs renovating dilapidated buildings into sprawling community centers.
Their first stop for the day was at a neighborhood committee building in the Khadamiyah district where the Soldiers delivered winter coats and blankets to help the local residents make it through the cold winter. The Soldiers here consider it a hand-up and not a hand-out.
Through the neighborhood committees, citizens can voice their concerns to the city council. According to the Iraqis, results are made and people are able to get what they need thanks to the Iraqi neighborhood councils. The Iraqis make the decisions on what they need, and the Soldiers provide expertise when needed.
After the Soldiers departed the neighborhood committee building, they headed to the Special Needs Institute in Khadra, a small neighborhood in the Mansour district. At the institute, children who are blind, deaf, or have other special needs can receive the care they need in a supportive environment.
"What we are doing today is checking to see how everything is going," said Sgt. 1st Class Dennis O'Connor, of the 448th Civil Affairs Battalion. "This is our fourth school that we've done in the last three months. It feels good that we can go in and help these kids and see the smiles on their faces. On top of learning about their culture, they can now learn English so they can talk to us when we come and visit them."
The Iraqis have made many improvements to the facility, some of which include new classroom furniture, ceiling fans, restroom and shower facilities, a new power generator, an ambulance, and even a swing set in the backyard.
Before a project is started, an Army engineering team will survey the property to assess the situation and provide advice to the Iraqi committees.
"There was a very bad situation here before and the Soldiers, along with Iraqi contractors, have helped everything change for the better," said Hussin Lalbaryti, Chairman of the Khadra Neighborhood Committee. "One of the most important changes was the improvement in our sewage system and drinking water. We're very happy to get this type of results."
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 11.07.2005 16:38 |
| Story ID: | 3639 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 120 |
| Downloads: | 39 |
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