Maiwand district officials capitalize on security, governance gains during “Maiwand Media Day”

HUTAL, AFGHANISTAN

09.20.2011

Story by Spc. Melissa Stewart 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

HUTAL, Afghanistan – Highlighting major civil projects and security gains made in the area, Maiwand district leaders invited provincial and international media outlets to tour several projects and areas throughout the district in Kandahar province, Sept. 20.

The purpose of “Maiwand Media Day,” as it was designed, was to display to media outlets from Kandahar City and Kabul the progress Afghan National Security Forces and local leaders have made in the district in recent months. Maiwand district officials said the presence of media in an area known previously as a virtual gateway for insurgents operating in nearby Helmand province shows that the area of Hutal is a much safer place than it was in the past.

The media was escorted by Obaidullah Bawari, district governor of Maiwand, through a tour of Hutal. It began at the Hutal District Center with a press conference, where the governor spoke about the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police and Afghan National Civil Order Police working together to improve and secure the area for the Afghan people.

From there, the group went to the Hutal “model farm,” where local farmers are able to learn new farming techniques and receive farming assistance. Rows of plants and gardens of vegetables prove that farmers can harvest viable crops, while earning an income for their families, Bawari said. A new judicial center will soon also be built in the same location as the model farm.

After the district center area, the group then toured the Hutal Bazaar, one of the largest and most thriving bazaars in Kandahar province. Stretching more than a half mile, the bazaar is constantly enlarging with more shops and serves as a focal point for motorists and business owners along Highway 1.

Following the bazaar, they went to the Hutal High School and more than 400 schoolchildren received backpacks and school supplies for the new school year. Finally, the district governor and the rest of the group moved to Hutal Park and officially opened it to the public at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Hutal Park has a soccer field and a playground and was recently the site of an impromptu concert where a local band played instruments to a crowd of approximately 50 people.

At the soccer field, Barwari started the first soccer game there between the Afghan army and police by ceremonially throwing out the ball.

After all of the events, Barwari invited his guests to the district center for a traditional Afghan lunch.

• Date Taken: 09.20.2011
• Date Posted: 09.25.2011 05:35
• Story ID: 77549
• Location: HUTAL, AF