BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, May 9, 2006) – Recent school renovations have Sadr City children learning in new environments.
Among the schools getting makeovers was the Mustafa School, which serves 930 high school students in the morning and 430 elementary students in the afternoon.
The $290,000 project included 300 new interior lights, 55 ceiling fans, 11 window air conditioners, 300 square meters of new concrete playground surface, remodeling of restrooms, roof repair, raising the perimeter security wall one meter, repairing all broken glass and installing a steel mesh to protect all exterior windows, painting all interior and exterior walls, and supplying a new 80kva generator.
“It’s one of 13 public-school renovations in East Baghdad that we oversaw in the last year,” said Jeremy Way, project engineer with Gulf Region Central District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Way is proud of the quality control Iraqi contractors provided at his projects as well as the efforts of the Iraqi engineers on his staff who oversaw that work. He says during his 10-month tour he kept track of $40 million worth of projects, including five new fire stations, three youth centers, three trash-transfer stations, water compact units, over 30 kilometers of road paving, renovation of Al Mustansiriyah University, and rehabilitation of Al Baladi Chidlren’s Hospital in Sadr City.
“This country’s youth are the future. I see hope in their eyes. They deserve so much more than the dilapidated structures ignored by Saddam,” said Way. “In identifying priorities, we looked at the most urgent needs, such as safety and sanitation, and then used the remaining funds to make those structures a bright, cheerful place where Iraqi youngsters could learn. I believe these renovated schools are making a difference.”
Way said he is glad he volunteered for duty in Iraq.
“I met some beautiful Iraqi people. I know first hand the courage they show every day reporting to work helping this nation move forward and become a better place to live,” he said.
More than $10 million is being invested to upgrade educational facilities throughout Baghdad Province.
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