Headquarters International Security Assistance Force-Afghanistan
FARAH CITY, Afghanistan - Previously the orphans lived in the dining facility in the education department, with two rooms allocated for administrative offices. There was no running water, so hygiene consisted of sponge baths from a bucket near the local well.
The new orphanage features both boys and girls dormitories, a dining facility and administration offices. There will also be a septic tank with a leach field, and a generator for power.
"The new orphanage is nicer, cleaner and more secure than the old facility, but the big advantage is that they also have running water," said U.S. Lt. John Genta.
Shir Pir Construction employed 20 men for a 10-month period in the construction of the orphanage, which has the capacity to comfortably house 300 orphans.
"Before there was no one to help the orphans, but now the PRT has given them a new home," said Nasrullah Amini, director of social affairs for Farah province.