Provincial Reconstruction Team, Iraqi Security Forces spread smiles to Iraqi children

Photo By Sgt. Terence Ewings | Dan Foote, the leader of the Maysan provincial reconstruction team, hands out school supplies to a student of an all-girl school near Qalet Saleh.  

TALLIL AIR BASE, IRAQ

11.26.2008

Story by Pfc. Terence Ewings 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

By Pfc. Terence Ewings
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – Local Iraqi security forces distributed school supplies in Maysan province on Nov. 23 with assistance from the Maysan provincial reconstruction team.

Iraqi and American troops handed out various school supplies such as crayons, rulers, pencils and even backpacks to the elementary school children. While some of the troops issued school supplies, others provided security at the scene.

American Soldiers assigned to the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division worked with the 10th Iraqi army division's troops to make the event a success.

"This was a great opportunity to make the children here happy," said 1st Lt. Yahea Lafth, an Iraqi military intelligence soldier. Lafth, who is originally from Baghdad, has worked with American troops for years, but he admits this is the first time they have worked together to supply happiness to the children of the Maysan province.

"I like to work with the Americans. This is not the first or the last time we will work together," Lafth said.

Craig Reilly and his wife, Arie, who work for Multi-National Division - Center, organized the event. The school supplies were provided through a $2,000 grant from the J. Kirby Simon Foreign Service Trust, a charitable fund committed to expanding opportunities for professional and community service.

"We put a lot of work into this project, and it paid off," Reilly said. Reilly and Foote said the effort put into getting the supplies to these children was worth seeing the emotional reaction from the people there.

Thanks to the support of the PRT and coalition forces working together, the children of Maysan province have something that will make their school days a little more enjoyable.

• Date Taken: 11.26.2008
• Date Posted: 11.26.2008 20:34
• Story ID: 26855
• Location: TALLIL AIR BASE, IQ