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Top marks for school project
Edition 1168, June 14, 2007 |
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| School boost: Students play on equipment built by the engineers. |
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Cpl Scott Lardner talks to an Afghan officer and the school principal.
Photos by LAC Rodney Welch |
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RTF2 engineers have gone back to school, achieving accolades for their improvements to a school in the village of Talani in Oruzgan Province.
The school principal described their work as “magical”.
The Australians worked alongside Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers for more than 10 hours to upgrade conditions for the students, who at times number up to 400.
The principal had been concerned that most windows were broken and that the classrooms had a shortage of chairs and desks.
The work included the removal of more than 50 smashed windows and the installation of strong perspex inserts, which provide protection from rain and dust storms.
The engineers also installed a 4000lt water tank with multiple taps, providing the students with an area to wash their hands and a source of clean drinking water.
Desks, chairs and bookshelves were installed. In a move highly symbolic of the overall effort in Afghanistan, the furniture was produced by local students of the Australian-run Trade Training School.
One of the simplest tasks conducted, but by far the most popular given the children’s expressions, was the installation of play equipment in the school yards. A swing set, seesaw, monkey bars and outdoor table setting – designed, built and installed by the Australian and Afghan engineers – now provide the children with a safe area to play.
Engineer Troop Commander Lt Kieran Jackel said the work was rewarding and showed how small things could make big differences.
“The project was an example of how some simple reconstruction work can provide a lasting impact on the community. Ideally it will encourage more students to attend school now there is a safe and enjoyable environment to learn in,” Lt Jackel said.
He was pleased with the support provided by the ANA engineers.
“It was a valuable opportunity to get them out into the community and demonstrate how the ANA works with international forces, not for them,” he said.
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