LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Nearly 100 Kherwar citizens, including Kherwar District Sub-governor Mohammad Hamayoon and more than 50 village elders, attended a ground-breaking ceremony for the new district center in Kherwar here, Aug. 31.

Local government officials outlined how the new center will impact the people of Kherwar. It will serve as a city hall and Afghan National Police station, and is scheduled for completion within six months.

The building, which is funded by the Czech Provincial Reconstruction Team, is meant to allow citizens more involvement with their local government by creating a “one-stop-shop” for issues and answers.

Afghan leaders who spoke during the ceremony encouraged villagers to look forward to the future, remain involved with their new system of government, work with leadership and look forward to the days ahead.

The ground-breaking ceremony was the official start of construction on the building.

“The Afghan elders present for the ceremony were grateful for the help that coalition forces have offered,” said U.S. Army Capt. Jesus Rubio, a native of Gardena, Calif., and 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team civil affairs officer. “The Czech PRT was instrumental in providing the people of Kherwar with a quality meeting place that can bring people together with their government as this nation continues to move forward.”

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Taylor Sivley, information operations officer for 1st Squadron, 91st Cav. Regt., and a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., said the ceremony brought together government leaders and village elders in a celebratory way to usher in a new era for the people of Kherwar, a region that has traditionally been a village in need of infrastructure and support.

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