B*N*S*N3

New Elementary School Offers Hope to Nablus Children
Thursday, 27 November 2008

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD — The Nablus School in northwest Baghdad’s Yarmouk community opened Nov. 23.

The refurbishing project, also underway in more than 200 schools in Baghdad, added six new rooms, a computer lab and a science lab in addition to the school’s auditorium being refurbished at no cost by the local contractor.

“The Nablus school should be the model that the other 220 schools currently under reconstruction follow,” said Dr. Nihad, Karkh District Deputy Minister of Education.

The Government of Iraq has placed a high level of importance on the rebuilding and refurbishing of its educational system, said Dr. Nihad. The Nablus school, along with the refurbishing, also received boxes of paper, more than 350 backpacks and 100 informative Iraqi comic books, distributed by members of Iraqi Security Forces and the Ministry of Education.

It was also a marquee day for Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, operationally attached to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, responsible for security in the area.

“The refurbishing of this school gives hope to the elementary students in Yarmouk,” said 1st Lt. Nicholas Anderson, a civil military operations officer with 2nd Bn., 42nd FA Regt. “Furthermore, it demonstrates the concern for academics from the local leadership.”

During the event, students who will attend the refurbished school performed for the crowd. An Iraqi band provided entertainment as well. The entertainment brought a sense of normalcy, which serves as a reminder to the Soldiers who have worked so hard in recent months to improve the standard of living for the people of Iraq.

The Soldiers know they are getting the job done in their operational environments, said Anderson, and they know also know that by empowering the Iraqis, they are making the transition that much easier.

“This was an outstanding Iraqi-led event,” he concluded.

(here)