HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Coalition special operations forces helped local villagers clean and restore an abandoned school in the Puzeh village, Sangin District, Helmand province, Aug. 12.
SOF team members began helping clean the school, after village elders designated the refurbishment of the school as one of the top priorities in the village.
The village elders determined that the neglected school was a key section of the village to repair and using Puzeh labor and management would stand as an example for future restoration and development in the area.
Upon initially arriving at the school, SOF team members found the school completely abandoned and without furniture or supplies; instead the school floors were littered with rocks, debris and garbage.
A SOF team member reported that the local populace is very excited about [the schools] completion and often speak about the benefits of education. In addition, the completed school could now potentially provide education for approximately 600 students.
The school, which is located in the Nangzai section of the village, is unique to the area because, prior to being shut down, it offered the opportunity for kids from different tribes in the area to attend together, which is uncommon in the district.
The village elder from Nangzai thanked the SOF team and stressed the importance of allowing his three children to obtain an education.
In addition to providing a place of learning for the children in the local villages, the restored school also supplies villagers with an example of the Government of Afghanistan’s commitment to providing a better life for all Afghan citizens.