Soldiers distribute school supplies to Iraqi Students

Photo By Christina Bhatti | Sgt. 1st Class Jess Wyant, a native of Geneva, N.Y., who serves as a platoon sergeant with Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, greets students at the al Hayal School in Bassam, northwest of Baghdad, Oct. 26, 2008. Soldiers from Co. C distributed school supplies to the approximately 400 students and 14 teachers.  

TAJI, IRAQ

10.26.2008

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The al Hayal Primary School sits in a farming community in Bassam, northwest of Baghdad. The small compound is a center for learning to approximately 400 students, taught by 14 teachers.

Like many children in Iraq, the students lack many of the most basic school supplies, such as pens, pencils and paper.

To help meet the needs of students attending the school, five organizations from across the United States sent boxes of supplies. These boxes were distributed, Oct. 26, 2008, by Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

While the donation was well received by the school, Capt. Timothy Cho, a native of Oakland, Calif., and embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team officer, said this kind of aid is not sustainable.

"This is not a long term solution," Cho said. "This kind of donation is great, and it definitely lets the people know we are here and that we care."

Cho said the future of the children is dependent on the Government of Iraq.

The GoI has promised supplies, said Majeed Saeed Hassan, headmaster for the school.

"We don't know when they will return," he said. "But for now, these donated supplies will last a long time."

Cho said the supplies were given by his family and friends, but he has asked them to stop sending them.

"The demand is too great," he said. "But as long as we keep getting stuff, we will continue to distribute."

• Date Taken: 10.26.2008
• Date Posted: 10.29.2008 15:18
• Story ID: 25699
• Location: TAJI, IQ