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FORWARD OPERATING BASE KUSHAMOND, Afghanistan (April 21, 2008) -
Soldiers of the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion provided basic
carpentry and masonry skill training to citizens of Kushamond and
surrounding villages.
The Fort Lewis soldiers worked to provide Afghans with skills
and construction leadership to find steady employment. The
workshop, held in late March, also provides the country with future
leaders, businessmen and construction contractors.
"The skill-labor workshop is going to have a successful impact
on the local job market here in Kushamond, Afghanistan, and allow
the local citizens to find a steady source of income to provide
better lifestyles for their families," said Army 1st Lt. Pranish
Sharma, 2nd Platoon leader, 864th Engineer Combat Battalion.
"The skill-labor workshop benefits coalition forces by allowing
us to provide contracts to local citizens to help in the rebuilding
of Afghanistan," said Army Pfc. Jason Gonzales, a carpentry and
masonry specialist with 2nd Platoon. "The workshop has also given
the locals the confidence and knowledge to successfully perform
carpentry and masonry work in their local communities that will
eventually transform Afghanistan's economy."
The Afghan citizens participating in the skilled-labor workshops
varied in age, and at least 50 percent were unemployed, officials
said. These individuals received a complete set of tools, including
hand and power tools and safety gear.
Task Force Pacemaker and provincial reconstruction teams have
taken major strides in assisting Afghans with basic carpentry and
masonry skills by hosting four skilled-labor workshops in the past
three months throughout Paktika and Nangarhar provinces.
Developing skilled-labor workshops, educating Afghan citizens in
site-safety management, and hiring graduates to perform
construction and masonry jobs are several things coalition forces
do to help develop Afghanistan, officials said.
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