2nd BCT, 4ID Soldiers help bolster spirit at Girls' school

Photo By Michael Molinaro | NAJAF, Iraq--Girls from the Abbasiya Girls School receive sundry items from 1st Lt. Kimberly Hale, maintenance chief, Company G, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Mar. 1.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

03.10.2006

Courtesy Story

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FOB KALSU, Iraq " For children in Iraq who want to receive an education, many are forced to attend school in less than ideal conditions. The prospect of acquiring an education to better their future seems to keep many young people motivated and striving to achieve.

The prestigious Abbasiya Girl's School, currently educating more than 800 girls aging from 12-18 years old, is the only one of its kind in the Najaf region. In February, Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, distributed filing cabinets, reams of paper, snacks, soap, deodorant, brushes and other items to students at the school in an effort to show support for these future leaders of Iraq.The school opened in 1981 but has been neglected due to lack of funding for education.

Holes, sagging ceilings and blown-out windows are noticeable as soon as one enters the building, said 1st Lt. Kimberly Hale, maintenance chief, Company G, 3-16 FA.A major problem for the school is lack of adequate electricity. For years, it has operated with minimal electricity, causing a decrease in student attendance during summer months when many children decide that braving the 130-degree heat all day is too much to bear, said Layla, the school's assistant principle. "They're concerned about the final exams coming up in a few months," Hale said. "They say it's much harder to think when it's hot, and they want to do well.

"An engineer traveled to the site with Company G to inspect the school and prepare an inventory of needed repairs inside the building in order to develop a priority list for school renovations."The commander has already approved the construction repairs," Hale said. "It's just a matter of getting contracts set for the roof and windows. There are just so many repairs to make. You have to do what's possible, whenever possible."The girls at school told Soldiers that they were thankful for the donated materials. Hale pledged to the students that the Soldiers will be back on a regular basis to check on the situation and make sure that progress is being made on the renovations. With or without the repairs, classes and learning will continue at the school, administrators said. They added that it is a great comfort to know that some of the physical improvements so desperately needed at this one-of-a-kind school now appear to be right around the corner."I went to this school as a girl and now I work here," said Layla. "It will be nice to have it fixed for my two daughters."

• Date Taken: 03.10.2006
• Date Posted: 03.10.2006 15:44
• Story ID: 5665
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ