215th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Spc. Anthony Hooker

By Anthony Hooker
215th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

AL FAWAZ, Iraq – Members of the 7th Sustainment Brigade met with leaders of the Dhi Qar province Sept. 24, 2008 to review the reconstruction of a local grade school.

With an estimated completion date of Nov. 1, the project is another step in the 7th SB's continuing effort to encourage goodwill and Iraqi empowerment.

The 7th Sust. Bde., deployed from Ft. Eustis, Va., dispatched its civil-military operations team to help facilitate the transformation of a two-room mud shack into a building featuring six classrooms, two offices and an area dedicated to gardening. Through the Iraqi Commander's Emergency Response Program, the 7th Sust. Bde. helped coordinate the labor, supplies, and engineering needed to renovate the Al Ashyabb school. Local officials estimate about 60 students from ages 6 through 12 will attend the school.

Children from Al Batha, a neighboring city separated by the Euphrates river, are also being encouraged to attend. A bridge was constructed by the Al Batha city council to make traveling to school easier.

"This school has a really good structure and will motivate kids to come," said Chief Warrant Officer Chris Gauthreaux, the project purchasing officer with the 7th Sust. Bde. "Before, kids didn't want to come to school because the structure was made of mud and they were worried [the room] would cave in on them."

Gauthreaux, a native of New Orleans, said the school will be fully funded and have teachers provided, in accordance with a letter from the Dhi Qar provincial development reconstruction committee.

"This was funded by Iraqi money and we have Iraqi citizens rebuilding their country," said Gauthreaux. "When you see about a dozen military-aged males working for Iraqi dinar to rebuild the infrastructure of their community, it makes you feel good. They are so thankful to work . . . and I am happy that it is going towards a positive area."

Local resident Mohammad Al Zauhairi served as a contractor for the school. He said working with military officials was a rewarding experience for himself and his community. Gauthreaux, he said, was especially helpful by being available to discuss what could and could not work.

"Through my work with the U.S. military, we learn from one another . . . how to design [and] be honest when doing a project," said Al Zauhairi. "Most times Chief and I are in touch with each other to solve problems. If I have issues, I can email him."

All the leaders were hopeful that the school would be considered for future projects, such as a soccer or basketball court. Al Zauhairi said the people would like to have somewhere to keep the kids and the teenagers busy, somewhere that would keep them from making or getting into trouble. Al Zauhairi finished his thoughts, saying it was a great thing for American forces to support his community.

Control Panel