Camp Spann troops restore water to Afghan community

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Casey Martin | Camp Spann troops, deployed to northern Afghanistan, wait for Afghan government officials to begin the ribbon-cutting ceremony in celebration of the completion of repairs to the facility that provides water to nearly 5,000 residents in DehDadi. The community had tried to raise money from residents, but were not able to collect enough to fix the water pump, plumbing, and minor repairs.  

DEHDADI, AFGHANISTAN

08.24.2010

Courtesy Story

IJC Public Affairs Advisory Team- Regional Command North

DEHDADI, Afghanistan - Nearly 5,000 residents of the DehDadi community, located in northern Afghanistan, once again have running water available in their homes this week thanks to the combined efforts of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division, Regional Support Command-North, and the Regional Command-North Public Affairs Advisory Team.

The community relations project was facilitated through the RC-North PAAT and received attention from several U.S. Army offices at Camp Mike Spann.

“An Afghan National Army general approached me while mentoring ANA soldiers and asked if I could help him with a problem that affected many people in his community,” said Sandra Arnold, director of the RC-North PAAT. “I was hesitant, as I wasn't sure what type of help a public affairs mentor could offer in repairing a water well, but ensured the general that I would immediately began searching for someone who could help facilitate this request.”

Arnold’s first stop was the RSC-North office where staff researched the project, visited the water well numerous times to assess the site, and document the parts needed. The team compiled the necessary paperwork to proceed with the contract but soon found that the project did not fall within the scope of work that they were able to fund. Arnold was then directed to the 10th Mountain Division's Civil Affairs office for possible assistance.

The Civil Affairs staff researched the project, however, soon discovered that due to the complex nature of the well’s location and the community it served, they too weren’t able to provide the funding and further referred Arnold to the 1st Brigade 10th Mountain Division.

“After knocking on numerous doors, I was relieved to learn that the 10th Mountain team would be able to fix the well, however, finding a contractor who would work during Ramadan was my next concern,” said Arnold.

Yasir Hashimi, assistant director of ACRO Construction Company, was one of the few contractors in the area who was willing to work through Ramadan - the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset.

[Translated] “More than 600 families live around here and they need potable water,” said Hashimi. “With Ramadan, I decided to not stop my work so that people could get water soon.”

The community had been without water for approximately five weeks, leaving local women and children to walk great distances to obtain water from other sources. Though they had tried to raise money they were not able to collect enough to fix the water pump, plumbing, and minor repairs.

“It was a blessing for the villagers and the people of this community,” said Army 2nd Lt. Joel Silver, 1st Brigade 10th Mountain Division, referring to the water well repairs he coordinated and contracted. “I grew up in a third world country as a child and was without water for about a month and a half so I understand the hardship of going without water.”

Affected community members, village elders, and Afghan government officials attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the completion of the project, and personally thanked the Americans who made the repairs possible that restored water to their community.

[Translated] “We really appreciate ISAF [International Security Assistance Force] for helping our people,” said Religious Cultural Advisor Col. Ahmad Sha Ariawi, ANA 209th Corps. “Establishing relationships between ANA, civilians and coalition forces makes the enemy further from the people and brings peace in Afghanistan.”

Community relations projects are an integral part of ISAF’s mission to facilitate improvements in governance and socio-economic development, in order to provide a secure environment for sustainable stability that is observable to the population.

“I never thought that when I volunteered to mentor Afghan soldiers that I would end up being part of a team that helped restore water to a local community,” said Arnold. “It is the highlight of my deployment, it makes me proud that we made others’ lives easier, and it serves as a reminder of why it was worth leaving my comfortable life in Japan for a year to work in this war-torn country.”

• Date Taken: 08.24.2010
• Date Posted: 08.24.2010 22:41
• Story ID: 55124
• Location: DEHDADI, AF