Children Return To School Thanks To Infantry Efforts

Students and parents accept complimentary backpacks provided by Soldiers at the opening of the Al-Eslah School in Al-Wehda, Iraq, Oct 1. The opening of the school marked the completion of a two-month joint effort by local leaders and the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment. (Photo by 1-15 Inf. Reg.)

Leaders from the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment joined leaders of the Mada’in Qada to open the refurbished Al-Eslah School in Al-Wehda, east of Baghdad Oct. 1.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the two-month project. The Al-Wehda Nahia Council forwarded the issue of school refurbishment to 1-15th Inf. Regt. representatives during a council meeting in July. Following a tour and assessment of the school, Soldiers began the work of getting funds approved for the project. Iraqi construction workers began work on the project following the approval of emergency relief funds.

Prior to the refurbishment, the school was virtually falling apart according to Capt. Matthew K. Givens, Columbus, Ga., civil-military operations officer for 1-15th Inf. Regt. The project employed 87 citizens during the two-month period. Workers provided electrical and plumbing upgrades as well as installing new doors and windows. Structural and cosmetic improvements to the school were also made.

“This project will affect the local populace in many ways,” Givens said. “The largest impact will be that the children of Al-Wehda have an appropriate facility which is conducive to learning.”

Security measures were taken into account during the construction process for three full-time security guards. A rest house for the guards was added to the school grounds as part of the refurbishment. Workers heightened and expanded a security wall as well.

“The council was thoroughly pleased with the contractor’s work, as were we,” Givens said. “This facility has been completely refurbished from its original condition. The contractor’s attention to detail and genuine care for the project is evident and the people responded to his hard work.”

After the ribbon was cut to open the school, students were thrilled with their new facility and ran room-to-room looking at the entire school. Teachers expressed their appreciation to council members and Soldiers.

“The school refurbishment far surpassed all of our expectations,” Givens said. “The Al-Wehda Nahia Council has been working hand-in-hand with us to get projects accomplished and to improve the security and quality of life for the people of Al-Wehda.”

The 1-15 Inf. Regt. is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 2007.