Local leaders reopen renovated school in eastern Baghdad's Diyala area

Photo By Spc. Grant Okubo | Ali Al Abdilzahara, Zafaraniyah Essential Services president, and Sabah Alrobaiey, neighborhood council chairman of Diyala, cut a ribbon to mark an important day for the children in Diyala in the Karadah District of eastern Baghdad, Sept. 30, 2008. The community celebrated the reopening of a recently renovated school in the area.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.04.2008

Story by Spc. Grant Okubo 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Grant Okubo
4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Students in Diyala will soon be able to attend a drastically improved school as local leaders cut a ribbon on Sept. 30, 2008, to celebrate the school's reopening in the Karadah District of eastern Baghdad,.

Ali Al Abdilzahara, Zafaraniyah Essential Services president, and Sabah Alrobaiey, Diyala neighborhood council chairman, cut the ribbon to mark an important day for the children in Diyala. Approximately 1,000 students will walk through the gate of the renovated school when the school year begins on Oct. 7.

Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, who assisted in the project, joined in the celebration. Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Allen, effects noncommissioned officer in-charge for 5th Bn., 25th FA Regt., cited improvements to the school, including a new bathroom and the addition of a power generator. The addition of electricity adds the use of equipment, such as air conditioners and photo copy machines.

In addition, students and teachers have the use of new chalkboards, noted Allen, a Daytona Beach, Fla., native. Across the board, reactions to the project were positive.

"I am very happy about the completion of the renovations," expressed Abdilzahara, adding that the school brings something very much in need to the area. "The Ministry of Education was very happy about renovating this school for the students."

Reopening the school brings a spirit of optimism to Diyala residents regarding the future of Iraq. However, the Soldiers who worked so hard with Iraqi officials on the project understand the importance of education too.

"A liberal arts education can't do anything but help the community," commented Maj. Robert Machen, executive officer for 5th Bn., 25th FA Regt.

The school will function like any other school to provide the children of Iraq a well-rounded education and will help develop their social skills, said Machen, a College Station, Texas, native.

Machen said he hopes the reopening of the school will propel the future leaders of Iraq and provide them the tools they need to lead. The people of Iraq are a very capable people. Through efforts such as the school renovation project, they develop a greater sense of community.

• Date Taken: 10.04.2008
• Date Posted: 10.04.2008 16:32
• Story ID: 24518
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ