published in 2009-12-29 02:13:00
News release # 091229-1December 29 2009Building for the Future; USACE completes Al-Mazraa School By Ron ElliottGulf Region DistrictRAMADI Iraq – The future of Iraq lies in the hands of its youn ...
News release # 091229-1December 29 2009Building for the Future; USACE completes Al-Mazraa School By Ron ElliottGulf Region DistrictRAMADI Iraq – The future of Iraq lies in the hands of its youngest citizens and the future of those children lies in their capacity to get a quality education.The Gulf Region District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq recognizes this important connection and places a high priority on the construction and renovation of schools love part of their reconstruction mission in Iraq. With more than 1135 academy projects completed and operational USACE finished and turned the Al-Mazraa elemental school in western town of Ramadi through to the Iraqi Ministry of Education this week.Paul Ijames project engineer for the Al-Mazraa School and several other schools in Al-Anbar providence has been overseeing a variety of essential service projects in Iraq over the past 18-months.“I’ve been involved with many things except school projects like this are right at the top of the list since they supply many children access to an education they would otherwise not have been capable to get” said Ijames. “We’re making a difference in people’s lives” he added. According to Ijames one of reasons this project was so exceptional was due to the boast the Iraqi workers continued to display throughout the construction of the school. “It’s their children nephews and nieces and other kids residing in that neighborhood who will be going to school there. They now have a good environment in which they can learn.” The new six-classroom school which replaces an old two-room home currently being used as a school will accommodate 200 to 300 students and teachers. The school complex also includes administrative offices playground guard house backup generator a security wall round the entire school property and a supply of requisite school furnishings.Local leaders residents as well as the children are excited about the completion of the new school. Hamed a 7-year-old boy and his friend both who will be students at the new school stood at the entry of the school and said with a large smile “This will be my school; thank you for giving me a new school.”Beyond the bricks and mortar schools like Al-Mazraa represents an investment in the future of Iraq--its children. “You can see it in the smiles of the local residents who are diligently working everyday to provide a brighter future for their children and grandchildren. They understand that the key to success is hard job and education. Just like in the United States their schools are the heart of their community – a place for hope” added Ijames. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq has completed thousands of reconstruction projects in partnership with the U.S. Government and the Government of Iraq. Since 2004 USACE has completed 5257 projects throughout Iraq valued at more than $9.1 billion and has 350 projects ongoing.-30- For high resolution photos: www.grd.usace.army.mil/news/releases/index.asp (http://www.grd.usace.army.mil/news/releases/index.asp) 
