1/14 Cav. delivers unexpected surprise

Photo By Spc. Ry Norris | Two students at Abn Baitars in Jamaylia wait in anticipation to receive supplies from Tibij Police, April 7. The Tibij Police and Soldiers with 2nd Platoon, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, delivered approximately $1,000 of supplies to the school.  

DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

04.14.2010

Story by Spc. Ry Norris 

3rd Infantry Division

DIYALA, Iraq — Eager faces peeked through the windows as the students tried to catch a glimpse of the Tibij Iraqi police and Soldiers with 2nd Platoon, Troop C, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Tibij Iraqi Police and U.S. Troop C, 1/14 Cav. visited students at two schools bearing gifts of school supplies in Diyala province, April 7; the Andleab school, in the Albulatif village, and the Abn Baitars school, in the Jamaylia village.

School faculty had no prior knowledge, nor the purpose, of the visit. "It's an unexpected surprise," said Vice Principal Raad Mahmouad of Abn Baitars. "Anything that will help us is very much appreciated."

This is the second time Abn Baitars have received donations.

The schools run two sessions to accommodate a vast number of students. Andleab have more than 160 children in attendance between the ages of five and 12. Abn Baitars is a secondary school with approximately 220 in attendance between the ages 13 and 18.

Each school received approximately $1,000 in school supplies. The faculty chose one class to receive the first of the supplies. The Tabij IP handed each child in the classroom a calculator, ruler, pencil, and notebook. "The children are happy. That is what's important," said Mahmouad.

The schools were also given things such as white boards, markers, highlighters, and pens. These will be used and distributed throughout the school at the faculty's discretion.

"When we establish this repertoire, the people are more willing to assist us in helping them," said Spc. Mikal Rogers, a Soldier with Troop C, 1/14 Cav. "Not only will this help the kids of Iraq, it will help the country as a whole. We're here to help the future of Iraq. These kids are a part of that future."

Tibij IP and Troop C, 1/14 Cav. have conducted humanitarian missions like these only a handful of times. They hope to continue conducting missions like these in the near future in an effort to establish a relationship with the people of the region.

"The mission was a success," said Lt. Ghassan with the Tibij Iraqi police. "The children are happy. We are happy. They are a part of our community. We will continue to look after them and protect them."

• Date Taken: 04.14.2010
• Date Posted: 04.14.2010 11:45
• Story ID: 48137
• Location: DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ