Iraqis celebrate school reopening
Friday, 26 January 2007
BAGHDAD — A neighborhood north of Ramadi celebrated the reopening of a school Tuesday. Also this week, U.S. and Iraqi forces provided aid to citizens in Adhamiyah, and Iraqi Forces distributed winter clothes and blankets to students in Tal Afar Monday.
Iraqi Soldiers and Coalition troops joined the celebration in
Ramadi, and community leaders asked Maj. Derek Horst, civil affairs
team leader, 4th Civil Affairs Group, to cut the ribbon for al Haitham
School. The school provides classes for the children of Abu Jassim
tribe.
The school temporarily closed in November for
renovations. Tribal leader Sheik Taher, who oversaw the renovations,
led the group of military and community leaders on a brief tour of the
building after the ribbon cutting.
"We're making progress day
after day," said 1st Lt. Stuart Barnes, civil affairs team leader,
Company B, 486th Civil Affairs Battalion. Barnes said school attendance
proves the increase in stability there.
The school, which began holding classes again earlier this month, has an estimated 200 to 300 students, Barnes said.
In other news, residents of the Adhamiyah section of eastern Baghdad
picked up needed supplies this week following a visit by Soldiers of
the 2nd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team and their Iraqi
Army counterparts.
U.S. Forces and Iraqi troops cooperated
with the Adhamiyah district council to deliver clothes, toys, vitamins
and toiletries to more than 500 residents.
“Soccer balls and
comic books were especially popular with the children,” said Capt. Drew
Corbin, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment. “This would have been
impossible without cooperation between both the Iraqi’s and the
Americans.
The Iraqi police were very helpful today. They provided security and helped distribute the humanitarian assistance bags."
The humanitarian assistance drop is part of a U.S.-Iraqi effort to
reduce sectarian violence and help bring security to Baghdad.
In another operation in Tal Afar, students from the Kawla and Darar
Primary Schools received an assortment of winter clothing, school
supplies, and additional treats from Tal Afar's Mayor Najim, Iraqi
Police officers, and Soldiers of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry
Regiment, during Operation Warm-Up Jan. 22.
Mayor Najim and
the delegation traveled from classroom to classroom, providing the
students with winter clothing and Iraqi flags. In addition, the school
headmaster at each location received a first-aid kit and instructions
for medication.
The total items distributed included 280
items of winter clothing, 650 pencils, 250 pens, 200 erasers, 60 spiral
notebooks and 30 folders. Every child received school supplies and
candy.
Operation Warm-Up was part of the ongoing Iraqi Police and Coalition humanitarian assistance program Operation Kids.
(Courtesy of American Forces Press Service)
