Knee Deep in the Hooah!

Afghan school children crowd into class during the first day of school at Jan Qadam Elementary School, Parwan Province, March 24. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Schult)

I thought I would pass on this great story that Mr. H! came across the other day. We were both amazed at the great facility that is going in for this school district to use. It’s one lab and it has to be shared among 32 schools, but it’s a start. As a science professional, Mr. H! was particularly pleased with what this would mean for the children in Afghanistan.

Afghan school gets new library, science lab

BAGRAM AIRBASE, Afghanistan
(March 28, 2008)

(excerpt)

The first day of school at Jan Qadam Elementary School, Parwan Province, was alive with the throngs of excited children, dignitaries, government officials and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan soldiers who dedicated a new school library and science lab, March 24.

Just after 9 a.m. on Monday, the Head of the District Development Council welcomed everyone to the event, noting the importance of the relationship between the school and all those who helped make it a great place to learn. He specifically thanked the children of Calvert City Elementary School, Calvert City, Ky., for their partnership with the Jan Qadam School.

“The partnership between the schools is a community-based initiative between the people and students of Calvert City Elementary School and the Jan Qadam School and community,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth Watson, a member of CJSOTF-Afghanistan.

After the speeches and a prayer, the new school library was dedicated to Afghan Gen. Baba Jan, a retired Afghan commander. Jan donated the land to build the school on and the library is filled with books donated by USAID.

The distinguished guests and visitors toured the school and visited the new science lab. It is the only science lab in the Bagram School District, which has 32 schools, including seven high schools.

Continue reading HERE