Photo By Staff Sgt. Samantha Simmons | 2nd Lt. Matthew Buchanan (left), an infantry platoon leader with 4th Stryker Brigade...... read more read more
By Pfc. Debrah Sanders
BAGHDAD — In a small village northwest of Baghdad, the American troops of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division conducted a foot patrol focused on finding the owner of a generator.
The Soldiers were here to give the man paperwork for a micro-grant that could assist him in the general upkeep of the generator and for purchasing fuel, thus powering the generator and a good portion of the community, said Sgt. Charlie De Nune, of Tacoma, Wash.
U.S. forces regularly give micro-grants to assist Iraqis in purchasing products and also for local refurbishing projects, allowing the Iraqi people to become more independent. The micro-grants are intentionally designed to be small amounts of money, but they yield large benefits for the communities that receive them, said Sgt. 1st Class Joe Huffman, native of Batesburg, S.C.
After talking to the owner of the generator, the Soldiers moved throughout the village. They were also trying to find the owner of a local pharmacy to see if he would also like an application for a micro-grant to help purchase supplies and to fund needed repairs to the building.
The fact that the village has a pharmacy benefits the residents of the village, said Spc. Brenton Dulak, a medic from Waesau, Wis.
"[The pharmacy owner] has a lot of antibiotics, which is good for fighting infection, which I've seen in a lot of kids in villages," said Dulak.
Dulak also said that it is good that they have a local pharmacy so that the locals don't have to travel so far in order to get what they need. The Americans made one last stop on their patrol in order to conduct assessments of a medical facility and a cement factory.
Jenan Abdullah Ghafil, an Iraqi woman who lives near the medical facility, said she is hopeful that the facility will be refurbished and re-opened, as she looks forward to employment opportunities if it opens. Jenan also said she is thankful for the presence of Soldiers, as they are generous with needed supplies.
The Soldiers are also trying to show the Iraqis how to work with the local government and build self-reliance. Huffman added that if the micro-grants are approved the projects will be monitored by U.S. forces to ensure that the money is being used in the manner for which it was sought.
The visit to the village was one of many which Soldiers plan to conduct in the future in an attempt to strengthen bonds between U.S. forces and local communities.
| Date Taken: | 12.02.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2009 00:39 |
| Story ID: | 42232 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 437 |
| Downloads: | 373 |
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