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ZHARAY DISTRICT, KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Over 80 schoolchildren attended a recent literacy program at Forward Operating Base Howz-E-Madad, making it the largest group of participants since the program started. The “Knowledge is Light” reading program, combined with radio broadcasts from a local radio station, is increasing literacy rates in a country where only 28 percent of the nation can read.
Afghan soldiers from the 1st Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 205th Corps, and native Afghan interpreters working with the Combined Task Force Spartan’s 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, teach the class twice a week at FOB Howz-E-Madad, where students of all ages receive workbooks to help them with their reading skills. In addition to the Wednesday and Thursday classes, the program is also broadcast on three local radio stations throughout Zharay and Maiwand districts: 103.5 FM near Pasab, 105.2 FM near Howz-E-Madad, and 102.3 FM near Hutal.
Leaders from 1-32 Infantry Battalion plan to relocate the tutoring program to the newly-refurbished Howz-E-Madad school that officially opened Nov. 16 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony by provincial and district education officials. A nearby clinic and police patrol station were also opened the same day.
A recent literacy class also provided an opportunity for coalition forces’ medical personnel to treat a young boy suffering from a severe illness. Instructors alerted combat medics from 1-32 Infantry Battalion to the boy’s swollen forearm and hand, and they determined he had rabies.
Leaders from the 1st Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 205th Corps and their coalition forces’ partners in central Zharay district plan to eventually expand educational programs near Rustum Aka, the Nalgham Community Center, and the Sangsar Education Center located near the village’s high school.
| Date Taken: | 11.29.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.01.2011 06:21 |
| Story ID: | 80759 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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