Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

Story by Master Sgt. Sarah Webb

GHAZNI, Afghanistan – Children from the returnee camp in Ghazni City gathered around the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle in anticipation of what coalition forces have brought for them.

That day, members from Provincial Reconstruction Team-Ghazni and Human Intelligence Collection Team, from Forward Operating Base Ghazni, unloaded desperately needed boxes of shoes for the adults and children who live in the camp.

The MRAP's, a familiar sight to the returnees, bring hope to the men, women and children.
The residents of the camp are returnees from Pakistan and Iran. They are Afghans who fled during the 90's, a time of the Taliban take-over. Some of them were originally from Ghazni province; others are displaced from different districts in the province as well as other provinces throughout Afghanistan.

The 2 year old camp is now the permanent home for many of those who've found their way there.
All that the villagers have is what they could carry with them when they returned from the countries they had escaped to. The fact that they are starting all over again adds to the difficulties and stresses of their daily lives.

The area has approximately 100 homes which hold around 10 family members each.

"In their village, everything they own was either brought with them or it is bought on the economy," said Chief Warrant Officer Chris Bollinger, from the 636 Military Intelligence Bn, Austin, Texas, assigned to HCT-10. "They don't have any agricultural capabilities, so they have no way to grow food for themselves. Some of the most beneficial things we've brought out to them were food items that can last through the winter such as rice and beans."

Jawad, the oldest child at the camp at 15-years-old, says that the only concern he has there is security.

"I am much happier here than where we came from," says Jawad. "I walk the younger kids to and from school, but most of the time, we play freely. I watch all the kids closely."
Civil Affairs members from PRT-Ghazni work closely with people in the camp to promote development.

One development project, led by Pfc. Kristin Day, is specifically geared toward working with the women of the camp. The purpose of the project is education and training for programs such as tailoring, English, and teaching.

The team is working with the Roshna-ee Social Service Organization, a Non-Governmental Organization that offers numerous programs for women, based out of Ghazni City.

"We're using local NGO's instead of international NGO's so that's a big step. It's Afghans helping Afghans," remarked Day.

"Once they learn their trade, the women can take what they have made and sell it at the bazaar to earn money for their families," said Day. "There are a lot of jobs available in Ghazni City for the women who know English and those who are trained as teachers."

Currently, there are 120 women involved in the program.

"I think that someone needs to be involved," said Day. "It's good to know that I can have a part in it. If no one helps them, then they will not progress. The PRT has to take a part because the returnees don't have the capabilities to successfully manage such progressive projects like these by themselves."

The ultimate goal of the program is for the NGO's to successfully manage all the projects without the assistance of coalition forces.

"This will help push women's development in area," said Day. "I want the women to be independent and treated equally within the workforce."

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