NTM-A making a difference at local schools
 By G.A. Volb , NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan
  
 KABUL, Afghanistan – Children in Afghanistan, especially young women, routinely risk their lives in search of an education. Reports of schools being burned to the ground, female students attacked  with toxic chemicals and teachers killed are common enough here that  most schools employ Kalashnikov-toting security. Locally, many schools are housed in buildings without electricity,  running water, proper windows or doors; some structures are riddled with  bullet holes with large sections either missing or on the verge of  collapsing. Since the U.S. arrived a decade ago, however, more than 2.5 million  children have returned to school, ensuring what was once a fantasy for  many is now a reality.  NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan’s logistics’ directorate has helped  turn things around. Support of their quest for an education includes  renovating such dilapidated facilities and providing school supplies to  the young boys and girls who can now attend school. Bibi Morrow, located  only a few minute’s drive from Camp Eggers, was one such recipient.  Home to nearly 2,500 children each day in four shifts, what was once  solely attended by boys is now open to young girls as well.  Prior to the U.S.-lead intervention a decade ago, the thought of women  attending school was mere fantasy. Today, according to Army Lt. Col.  Michael Smith, there’s hope for the youth of Afghanistan who want to  attend school  as coalition, local police and Kabul based businesses  team up to improve the conditions at schools. “Under the Taliban, only boys were able to attend school here,” said the  school’s headmaster Hassina Zohaib, who has been teaching for 32 years.  “It’s very difficult for me to put into words ... but prior to the  renovation, all the students had no supplies, and many had to learn  outdoors due to lack of facilities. But, they are very happy now, with  nice classrooms, supplies and even air-conditioning systems.” The success Zohaib’s school has enjoyed recently is the result of not  only NTM-A involvement but also local businesses and police  organizations. “The businesses understand the future of Afghanistan starts with  eliminating the high national illiteracy rate,” said Smith, ANTM-A’s  deputy director for Afghan National Police support. “The two contractors  involved with these particular projects are no different than  businesses back home donating to the local community to provide better  opportunities for Afghan’s children.” Brig. Gen. Ahmad Rashad Mahboob, commander of the Afghan Ministry of  Interior’s Support Command, personally handed out some of the new school  supplies to the children. He agrees with others involved in such  projects, that the children are the future of the country. “Education is a priority for Afghanistan,” said Mahboob. “It’s my hope  this school is one of the best in the future. Education is extremely  important for the police and their families. And their families will  know the education they’re receiving and the supplies provided were  offered by NTM-A, local businesses and the police. It’s important that  they know the community is supporting them.” The project, now a Commander’s Emergency Response Program sponsored  event, began when Smith’s daughters and their friends wanted to put  together a school supply drive for some Afghan children; they named it  “Project Kabul.”  “They raised over 200 boxes of supplies from San Antonio and shipped to  us for delivery,” said Smith. “After we visited the school and saw the  harsh conditions the children had to endure, my team wanted to do more  than just hand out school supplies.” Efforts to refurbish schools make use of CERP money available through  USFOR-A.  Bibi Morrow School benefited from $30,000 used to renovate the  facilities, plus the local businesses participated. In all, said Smith,  some $11,000-plus in school supplies were donated – the first major  renovation cost $65,000 which included $30,000 from the coalition and  another $35,000 from two Afghan businesses.  “If approved, the next three schools will require much more renovation, ranging from $110,000 to $450, 000,” said Smith. Smith and his team to, which includes local businessmen and police  organizations, hope to provide a safe environment for school children. “When these four schools are complete, more than 14,000 children in  Kabul will enjoy the benefits,” he said. “Our second focus is to ensure  our police counterparts engage with their local community so the  population sees police officers volunteering to help the children of  Afghanistan. These projects also provide an opportunity for both kids in  the U.S. to learn how to do philanthropic projects and for soldiers  serving in Afghanistan the opportunity to help the local population.”