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FOB KALSU, Iraq (March 10, 2008) - After months of oppression
from al-Qaeda in Iraq, the southern Baghdad community of Hawr Rajab
is coming back to life.
Coalition and Iraqi efforts are now focused on rebuilding the
economy. One initiative garnered 50 students for classes at the
"Village of Hope," a vocational school designed to teach Hawr Rajab
residents the basics of construction.
Soldiers from 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade
Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division provide security at construction
sites where classes are taught by U.S. Air Force Airmen with
related occupational specialties.
The Airmen-turned-teachers are with the 557th Expeditionary Red
Horse Squadron, headquartered at Balad Air Base. The Village of
Hope team has about 30 members who conduct classes from Patrol Base
Stone, a Coalition outpost in the heart of the community.
Tech. Sgt. Jacob Wilcock, a structural class instructor, said he
had to adjust his mindset from pounding nails to teaching.
"As builders, we are more attuned to seeing a completed
structure or physical progress at the end of a work day," said
Wilcock, from Phoenix. "Teaching is very rewarding, but the reward
is seeing the students understand the lesson and do well on a
practical exercise."
In addition to learning the basics of building over the
three-month course, students will rebuild homes damaged or
destroyed by extremists. Rebuilding homes is part of the lesson
plan and as an added incentive, students are paid for attending
class.
"The students are very receptive, ecstatic and happy about the
school," said Capt. Josh Aldred, Village of Hope project manager.
"They are very grateful and fully understand we're here to
help."
Local businesses will also benefit from the Village of Hope
project. When classroom instruction ends and hands-on training
begins, building materials available locally will be purchased from
Hawr Rajab vendors.
"Many come up to say that this is the best thing that has ever
happened here," Aldred said.
To ensure a steady supply of building materials, a brick and
concrete block maker from Hawr Rajab was awarded a Baghdad-7
embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team (ePRT) micro-grant to help
improve his business.
Airmen also gave the business owner and his employees some tips
on how to make products more efficiently.
"He's been making blocks for a long time and does good work,"
said Air Force Master Sgt. Richard Kapp, the liaison between the
Army and Air Force on the project. "We just showed him how to
improve the products he puts out."
Bruce Bailey, Baghdad-7 ePRT international development adviser,
said Hawr Rajab is heading in the right direction to get back on
its feet. "They're near Baghdad, they have a main road going
through the community and [it's] one of the last stops before you
get to the farms. Hawr Rajab has great economic potential."
Airmen also see the rewards coming from their new line of
work.
"I've deployed five times but I've never had the chance to help
someone change their life," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Collins,
plumbing class instructor, from Fort Walton Beach, Fla. "This
training will help them for the rest of their lives."
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