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Panjshir PRT dedicates well, distributes supplies at Afghan school

  • Published
  • By Capt. Joe Campbell
  • Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team
PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan --  More than 1,900 Afghan students at the Rohka District K-12 School now have fresh, clean water available at their school thanks to the efforts of provincial officials and their partnership with Coalition Forces here.

Panjshir Director of Education Riza Rizai, Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team members and school officials dedicated the well in a ceremony held in front of hundreds of students, faculty, local residents and guests in the schoolyard Oct. 21.

"Thank you to the PRT for providing a reliable source of water for the students," said Mr. Rizai in his opening remarks. Students previously drank water drawn from a nearby irrigation ditch.

The well ties in with the vision for reconstruction throughout the valley as Governor Haji Bahlol established education as his number one priority for reconstruction efforts in the Panjshir Province.

"In the United States, education is important for the future and it is clear that it is taken seriously here as well," said Mr. Fletcher Burton, Panjshir PRT director. "These children will shape that future."

Students performed Afghanistan's national anthem and then were treated to 500 school kits consisting of a backpack, pens, pencils, notepads and other donated supplies. Mr. Rizai presented the two top students with bicycles provided by the PRT.

"Education is the key to reconstruction for Afghanistan," said Mr. Rizai, "It is vitally important that all children -- boys and girls -- receive an education."

The $25K well project was funded by the Commander's Emergency Response Program.

Though the project is not a large-scale undertaking, the team was happy to build it for the children, said Lt. Col. Neal Kringel, Panjshir PRT commander.

"This well and all the projects we do here, show our commitment to working in partnership with the Panjshiri people for a better future, I promise we will continue this partnership with our friends and neighbors in the community," he said.