U.S. Special Operations Teams deliver goods, double-up Afghan school’s occupancy rate in Kandahar

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

07.08.2010

Story by Sgt. Benjamin Watson 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Members of a U.S. Special Operations team delivered enough supplies and classroom furniture to outfit 90 students at an Afghan school in northern Kandahar province July 8.

The school supplies, desks, and chairs were delivered to a school in the Shah Wali Kot District as part of an ongoing civil affairs initiative to assist local Afghan citizens with security, governance, and development.

The SOF team met the school principal, teachers, and the village malik—an elder—to determine what the needs were at the school. A U.S. Special Forces officer who led the effort said Afghan teachers and U.S. service members worked together to set up the new desks and chairs to accommodate 90 students – nearly twice the school’s current occupancy. Notebooks, writing utensils, chalk boards, and chalk were also distributed.

“The efforts today should enable the school to continue to support the local children from several villages in the area,” said the USSF officer.

The school has been operating for months under tents with students sitting on the ground in their classrooms. But with the new furniture, students now have a better learning environment.

“The teaching spaces are taking on the look of fully functioning classrooms,” said the USSF officer. “People here are very grateful for the contributions.”

U.S. Special Operations service members continue to partner with local Afghan government officials to improve classrooms and are planning reconstruction projects for seven other schools throughout southern Afghanistan.

• Date Taken: 07.08.2010
• Date Posted: 07.11.2010 12:08
• Story ID: 52676
• Location: KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF