B*N*S*N3

Members of the provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province are welcomed by schoolgirls dressed in traditional Afghan clothing during the groundbreaking ceremony for a girl’s school in the province’s Behsood district Jan. 11, 2009. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Dustin Hart

School Project Brings Hope to Afghan Province

By Air Force Capt. Dustin Hart
Special to American Forces Press Service

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan , Jan. 15, 2009 – Members of the provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province demonstrated their commitment to furthering education during a ground-breaking ceremony for the Maliki Surial girls’ school in the province’s Behsood district Jan. 11.

The PRT-funded school, which will cost $116,000 and is expected to be completed in nine months, will feature 10 classrooms for more than 1,400 girls to attend classes throughout the year.

“Currently, the girls attend an open-air school where they sit outdoors and learn,” Army Capt. Elisabeth Leon, Nangarhar PRT lead engineer, said. “When the weather turns bad, they simply can’t go to school.”

Army Lt. Col. Steven Cabosky, Nangarhar PRT commander, urged local people gathered at the ceremony to do their part to make the school realize its potential.

“The key to success in Afghanistan is education of all children,” Cabosky said. “While this school project will help, the hard work still exists. It’s up to all of you to make sure your children are able to go to school and receive an education. That is what will build a strong Afghanistan.”

The ceremony featured members of the provincial government, school administration and PRT speaking about the opportunities created by the new school.....

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