By Sgt. 1st Class Christina Bhatti
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Public Affairs Office
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Students, teachers, government officials and Soldiers gathered at the Fahama Primary School in Istaqlal, northeast of Baghdad, to celebrate a brighter beginning Oct. 23, 2008.
Workers recently completed an approximately $200,000 facelift for the school, to include structural repairs, rewiring, windows, doors and painting. The project was funded by Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
"This has been a long time coming," said Irfan Khudair Abas, school headmaster. The Fahama Primary School was first built in 1955 and has not received major repairs since its opening.
The more than 250 students and 35 teachers who use the building stopped classes to participate in the celebration.
Students and teachers expressed their joy at the ceremony through song, poems and vigorous clapping.
"We are very happy with the renovations," said one of the 35 teachers.
"This is one of the smaller projects but will still have an impact on the area," said Capt. Brian Sweigart, a native of San Antonio, and commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds," 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team "Warrior," 25th Infantry Division, MND-B.
"It is up to you to make the future of Iraq great," said Malcolm Phelps, to the students. Phelps is a native of Washington and serves as the senior education advisor for the embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team – Baghdad 5, attached to the 2nd SBCT. "Stay in school and study hard. You can be anything you want to be."