School brings hope to Qarguli neighborhood

Photo By Master Sgt. Mark Burrell | Capt. James Bowen (right), from Daniels, W.Va., commander of Troop B, shakes hands...... read more read more

Photo By Master Sgt. Mark Burrell | Capt. James Bowen (right), from Daniels, W.Va., commander of Troop B, shakes hands with a local sheik during a visit Sept. 20, to a U.S. forces funded reconstruction project of Thugger al-Iraq primary and secondary school in Qarguli, here.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.20.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell 

Multi-National Division Baghdad

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BAGHDAD — At Thugger al-Iraq primary and secondary school in the Qarguli neighborhood of Baghdad, the 300 to 400 students have something to look forward to this year thanks to the efforts of West Virginia National Guardsmen.

A $467,000 project to overhaul the school and add four new buildings began Aug. 28, according to Capt. James Bowen, commander of Troop B, 1st Battalion, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

The project, which should finish a few weeks into the school year, is scheduled to take a hundred days to complete, added Bowen, a native of Daniels, W.Va.

The dilapidated school was chosen with help of the local area council and sheik, according to Bowen.

On Sept. 20, Soldiers from Troop B, visited the construction site to talk with a local sheik and check the progress of the renovations.

"The school was built in 1958 and nobody has fixed it until now," said Younis Husain Ali, a security guard for the project. Younis attended the school in the 1980s with his siblings and now his three children attend the school.

"The U.S. forces make life easier and much better for us," added Younis. "When the Americans say they're going to do something, they do it."

After undertaking the project and entertaining three different bids by Iraqi contractors, one was chosen that provided jobs for more than 100 local area workers, explained Bowen.

"It makes a tremendous impact on the community," Bowen added. "This project has put our troop in better light in the eyes of the community...they realize we are here to help the community instead of just walking around with guns and asking questions."

Bowen understands that his Soldiers have to fight this perception and, as a father of two, he also understands the value of schooling.

"I understand the importance of educating the youth, these are the people that will eventually lead Iraq," continued Bowen. "Previously the school didn't have electricity or air conditioning all the time, which makes it harder to learn when it's 120 degrees out."

Staff Sgt. Daniel Smith, a cavalry scout with a 14-year-old daughter, agreed.

"This project gives them some hope for the future, a chance to better themselves," said the Baltimore, Md., native also assigned to Troop B. "Every kid has hopes and dreams."

Smith added that American parents want the best for their children, so the Soldiers of Troop B are trying to help Iraqi children by giving them a better opportunity to learn.

"You can't put a price on a child's education," explained Smith.

The project wasn't just about money and getting the funding approved, it was also about bridging the gap between Sunni and Shi'a.

According to Bowen, members of the government of Iraq, and members from both the Sunni and Shi'a parts of town assembled for a meeting at the school before the project began.

"They understand they have to get past sectarianism to make things better," explained Bowen. "They understand they have to work together to make things better."

Being able to communicate and work toward a common goal of improved infrastructure in the area is an important lesson for the youth, explained Bowen.

"To show the kids that we are able to get Sunni and Shi'a to work together is a big step," Bowen said.

Setting an example for the future leaders of Iraq and working together to rebuild the Thugger al-Iraq school gives the community something they haven't had for a long time.

"I have much hope for my children," said Younis, just before the Soldiers left. "It's a good feeling because if they study hard here, then they have a chance to become a doctor or an officer."

Helping to rebuild a local school takes determination, but accomplishing the nearly impossible task of giving hope to generations of Iraqis is all in a day's work for these Soldiers.