Making Good on Their Word

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Anita Stratton | Student s of the Al Amal Deaf Institute, Al Rumaiytha District, Muthanna province, Iraq, take a photo with Spc. Anita VanderMolen, public affairs specialist for the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team and civilian Educational Sign Language interpreter on Sept. 14. the school received 80 hearing aids, two flat-screen televisions with DVD players and a generator from the 287th Sustainment Brigade, the Provincial Reconstruction Team, Muthanna, and the 41st IBCT. They also received school supplies and toys. The delivery of these items is a culmination of a 10-month long project. The equipment will be used for education, information and awareness access. The PRT and U.S. Army will continue to work with the students, teachers and community to make the transition from assistance to self-sustainment.  

AR RUMAIYTHA, IRAQ

09.14.2009

Story by Capt. Sara S. Leakey 

41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team

AR RUMAIYTHA, Iraq - The 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team recently partnered with the Muthanna Provincial Reconstruction Team and 287th Sustainment Brigade to assist in the delivery of 80 hearing aids and much needed supplies to The Al Amal School for the Deaf in Ar Rumaiytha, Iraq.

Al Amal, a two room school house and primary education facility to over 40 girls, was identified by the Muthanna PRT in 2008 as a facility greatly in need of support and resources. The school has a dedicated staff of six teachers with education responsibilities for children from elementary school through high school--each with varying degrees of deafness.

Albert Hadi, the media advisor for the Muthanna PRT, credits the former Public Diplomacy Officer for the Muthanna PRT, Aaron D. Snipe, with identification of the school and initiation of the project.

"Aaron thought to reach out to somewhere no one's ever been before -- no Iraqis or other agencies," Mr. Hadi said.

Since the identification of Al Amal, the Muthanna PRT has partnered primarily with the 287th Sustainment Brigade and Iraqi security forces to render assistance to the school.

"Without any one of them the mission would not be possible," said Maj. Sean T. McGann, the executive officer and civil military officer in charge for the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, who provided security for the mission.

The Sept. 14 mission came just in the nick of time for Lt. Col. Clinton R. Moyer, the civil military officer for the 287th SB. With his unit set to redeploy within the week, this mission was the culmination of a deployment's worth of relationship building and hard work.

"It's been a long process and it took us 10 months to deliver," Moyer said. "We try not to promise anything, but this was something we said we would do and wanted to do."

An audiometer, small generator, and two flat screen TVs were donated in addition to the 80 hearing aids. The children also eagerly accepted toys and candy provided by the 41st IBCT.

"It was a great opportunity for the U.S. military and the PRT civilians to work together with the local Iraqis to effect some real change at a very tangible, grassroots level with a population that is really important—the children of this province," said John M. Kuschner, the team leader for the Muthanna PRT.

Lt. Col. Richard Allan White, an audiologist for the 287TH SB, was a key contributor to the mission's success. In his ten months working with Al Amal and the Muthanna PRT, Lt Col. White has educated Al Amal teachers on the use of an audiometer, and conducted numerous audiometer tests to identify children who would benefit from the use of the donated hearing aids.

When asked about donating the hearing aids directly to the school versus to the children themselves, Hadi explained, "We support education. When we donate to the school, this will stimulate the [Iraqis] and encourage them to send their kids to the school."

Kelli Cook, the public diplomacy officer for the Muthanna PRT adds, "The lifespan of these 80 hearing aids could benefit a thousand students. This small project is going to sustain the school for generations."

The plan seems to be working. Mr. Hadi confirmed that last year's enrollment of 40 girls has increased over 35 percent with several weeks to go before school starts this fall. He asked the principal of Al Amal about this and quoted her as saying, "When the people heard about the hearing aids they said, 'There is hope for our girls to possibly learn how to speak in the future.'"

Mr. Kuschner is careful to set expectations with the teachers and cautions that the children will not see an immediate improvement.

"We made it very clear to [the teachers] that this isn't a magic pill. The children aren't going to put these hearing aids on right away, understand what they're hearing, and start speaking. It's a long process, as I understand it. They have to first get used to hearing, then interpret it properly, and then be able to -- if that's the goal -- have them learn how to speak," Mr. Kuschner remarked.

Even with this knowledge, the excitement and hope for the Iraqi girls was undeniable.

Spc. Anita Vandermolen, a photo journalist for the 41st IBCT and civilian educational sign language interpreter stated, "Adding sound and awareness of the girls' surroundings can only benefit their lives. The hearing aids and all the work that has gone into getting them to the students is truly a blessing."

This blessing was evident by the girls' glowing faces and eagerness to have their pictures taken with the troops. Even those who didn't know sign language could understand the meaning behind their universal smiles -- smiles that were apparently contagious. When asked about his experience at Al Amal, Mr. Hadi couldn't conceal his enthusiasm.

"When we went to see the girls ... I showed them a photo of Aaron Snipe. I said, 'Aaron says hello with this gift.' I didn't know how to say [it] in sign language, but the girls smiled when they saw the photo of Aaron. I think this is the most significant thank you or appreciation I've seen towards a gift. These ladies send [Aaron] a smile from their heart. I saw the smiles," Hadi beamed. "I'm young now."

It's no surprise that these feelings of good will and appreciation have extended beyond the walls of Al Amal and into the local Ar Rumaiytha community. Adults and children alike waved as Iraqi police escorted the convoy through town.

"These missions are rewarding and can reduce violence against coalition force Soldiers because of the assistance provided," McGann offered when asked about the community's reaction to the military presence.

Moyer seconds this opinion, "When we show up, we get lots of feedback from the community. People on the street come up and say, 'Thank you.'"

• Date Taken: 09.14.2009
• Date Posted: 09.29.2009 10:14
• Story ID: 39421
• Location: AR RUMAIYTHA, IQ