Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
16 May 2007
Aussie-built school to help rebuild Iraqi village
The schooling conditions for 50 children in a remote village in southern Iraq are about to improve significantly thanks to an Australian Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) project which will see new facilities built to replace a sweltering, cramped tent classroom.
The Al Najem village north of An Nasiriyah in the Dhi Qar province is typical of many villages in southern Iraq with low-lying spread out houses in the middle of a desert where summer temperatures often sore above 50 degrees Celsius.
The former regime refused to build a school at the village and the first tent classroom was constructed about 12 months ago. While the young infant and primary school children do not complain there is very little room in the tent, no electricity and no reprieve from the heat or cold.
The CIMIC team based with the Australian Overwatch Battle Group (West)-Two will assist with demountables, hardstand, a generator, toilets and some basic furniture.
Approximately 515 personnel, drawn mostly from Darwin's 1st Brigade, make up the Overwatch Battle Group (West) - Two (OBG(W)-2). The Battle group is helping the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Provincial Governments build a secure and stable Iraq. OBG(W)-2 operates in the Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces as part of the Multi National Force - Iraq (MNF-I).
| 20070507adf8205214_0020 Australian CIMIC project officer Major Jason Harley meets with Sheik Mohamed Ajeel Alfees at the remote Al Najem village in southern Iraqi province of Dhi Qar to discuss Australian support for new classrooms to replace a small tent that houses 50 children from the Al Thakeb School. (Date taken: 07 May 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070507adf8205214_0041 Sheik Mohamed Ajeel Alfees (centre) shows Australian CIMIC project officer Major Jason Harley inside the cramped tent used to house 50 school children in the remote village of Al Najem in the southern Iraqi province of Dhi Qar. The Australians are funding a project that will see better classroom facilites built for Al Thakeb School students. (Date taken: 07 May 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070507adf8205214_0057 Private Nathan Browne from the Australian Overwatch Battle Group provides security in the remote southern Iraqi village of Al Najem where the Australians are meeting with local leaders to discuss the funding of new school facilities. (Date taken: 07 May 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20070507adf8205214_0155 The school principal in the remote southern Iraqi village of Al Najem distributes crayons to his children. The gifts were given by Australian troops who were visiting the village to discuss the funding of new school facilities. (Date taken: 07 May 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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