Coalition continues school supply delivery in Faryab province

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

11.30.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan – Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, are continuing the delivery of more than $50,000 in school supplies to students in Faryab.

The pens, paper and book bags were purchased on the local economy with Commander’s Emergency Response Program funds. In early October the contractor delivered more than 7,500 book bags filled with notebooks and pens.

Staff Sgt. Perris Dumas, non-commissioned officer in charge of the battalion’s civil military affairs, spearheaded the effort to purchase the school supplies.

“I felt it was a great opportunity for us to help out this province,” said Dumas. “I think school is very important in this area and hope to instill this belief in children throughout the province. With better and new supplies, I hope the kids are reenergized and excited about going to school to learn.”

Efforts began immediately to distribute the bags throughout three rural districts where children needed the supplies the most. To date, more than 3,500 school bags have been delivered to villages Chiligazy, Mir Sadi, Ghormach, and Sakh.

Capt. Robert Baker, battalion medical officer, attended one of the first delivery missions in Chilgazy village.

“It was a wonderful feeling to give something to these children and see that they appreciate the gesture,” said Baker. “This might not have been the main reason for us being in the village, but it was an important one.”

Typically patrols are able to coordinate with local elders and government leaders to attend delivery events. Sometimes provincial leaders travel out to rural areas to hand out bags themselves, which was the case in early November when the Faryab director of education arrived at a school standing side by side the soldiers who brought the supplies.

Deliveries will continue until the last bag is handed out.

• Date Taken: 11.30.2010
• Date Posted: 11.30.2010 08:02
• Story ID: 61083
• Location: KABUL, AF