CAMP STRIKER, Iraq - The 23rd Brigade, 17th Iraqi Army Division handed
out gift bags to students from the Sanadid School in Shakeriyah and the
al Fatoh Elementary School in Al Fatoh Oct. 19.
"It is always a good thing when the children receive gifts, they enjoy
seeing the Iraqi Army soldiers come through the school," said Soad Ahmed
Jasaim, Sanadid School assistant headmaster. "The IA has done a lot for
us recently, especially in giving this school back, when two months ago
it was (used) by American Soldiers."
For two years, the Sanadid School was used by Coalition forces as Patrol
Base Lion's Den until Sept. 6 when it was transitioned back to IA
control. The IA reopened the school upon taking over the base.
Classes took place in tents during that two-year period. Educating
upwards of 800 students, the IA knew converting the building back to a
school was the top priority.
"Today we are showing that we care and that we will give back to the
people in need," said Col. Alcram Sadam Mathuaf, 23rd Bde, 17th IA Div.
commander. "We are giving the children school supplies and items they
both need and want."
Giving the area back was only the beginning, as there is still work to
be done in the school.
"The students are like my children, I will ensure that I help them the
best way I possibly can," Mathuaf said. "Starting next week we are going
to start painting the school and doing small things that we can
accomplish at our level."
The plan is to ensure the school is supplied with electricity through a
generator run by 2nd Battalion, 23rd Bde, 17th IA Div and clean bottled
water.
"We are doing what we can in order to support these schools and make
sure they are getting what they need," said Lt. Col. Fatatl Rasheid
Hamid, 2nd Bn. 23rd Bde, 17th IA Div commander.
The IA soldiers who handed out the gift bags were as cheerful as the
children who received them.
Hamid said that his soldiers were proud to give back and he plans to
continue providing for the schools in the future.
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