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FARAH, Afghanistan - More than 20 villagers from the Gen Na Kan village in Farah Province participated in an Afghan-run concrete masonry construction course at Forward Operating Base, Afghanistan, Oct. 20.
The course was a part of an effort for Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah and local contractors to promote sustainable training for construction laborers in the Gen Na Kan village, a place where reconstruction is in great need, according to Government Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials. The training will enable the local laborers to become self-reliant on construction projects in their village and will also empower them to become marketable employees for future contracting projects in the province.
“This training was fruitful for me,” said Abdul Ahmad, a local Gen Na Kan laborer and student of the concrete masonry course, “It will help me build stuff for my family and fellow villagers.”
Additionally, PRT Farah engineers supplied each one of the students with basic masonry equipment to begin working on self-sustained projects immediately. Each individual received 14 bags of cement, a leveler, and other tools. The students can keep the tools for themselves or collect them into a village pool where the materials can be used for projects in the village said U.S. Navy Lt. Matt Beach of Springfield, Ohio, PRT Farah engineering officer.
A significant part of the day’s training was the initiative conducted by GIRoA. Abdul Wahid, General Director of Rural Reconstruction and Development in Farah province, identified Gen Na Kan as a high priority for receiving the training, coordinated the training effort with the village head of shura and turned to PRT Farah to support the location and logistics of the event.
“The Farah government and PRT Farah have done a lot to help the province,” said Wahid, “We have come a long way.”
The course was entirely taught by local masonry experts and contractors from Farah province. Training included lessons in cement mixing, cinderblock laying, leveling and much more. The instructors first demonstrated the construction actions and then provided an opportunity for students to conduct hands-on training. Many of the students already had masonry experience, but this course provided the opportunity to receive formal training from experienced masons and contractors.
There are many projects in Gen Na Kan village which need immediate construction relief. School and mosque refurbishments, plus irrigation and water culvert projects top the priority list for the village; all of which require skills in the concrete masonry department. The training course enabled locals to immediately begin such projects and take initiative on future projects.
“At a provincial level, we try to start new programs that will stimulate the private sector. Today’s training was on a much smaller scale, but there are so many good side-effects to days like these. That is what we really wanted to accomplish,” said Beach, “The locals were able to learn or improve on their masonry skills which can potentially lead to higher paying jobs. Also, by doing programs like this as a group, it enables a sense of opportunity for their entire village.”
These projects require that 80 percent of labor is provided at the local level, but this can sometimes become unfeasible due to construction skills of the locals. Training opportunities such as the concrete masonry course can enable laborers to become gainfully employed by GIRoA and contractors, while decreasing insurgent influenced on the village.
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2010 06:05 |
| Story ID: | 58818 |
| Location: | FARAH, AF |
| Web Views: | 53 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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