KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, – In a country where fewer than 30% of people are considered literate, U.S. forces are working to help in rebuilding Afghanistan’s education system, which has been devastated from 30 years of war, anti-education politics and an unstable govt.
U.S. forces are building schools for boys and girls as they attempt to re-establish the education system. The Army’s 649th RSG is working with the local community to provide school supplies for teachers and students in Kandahar prov.
“There's nothing more rewarding than watching a child learn,” said 2nd Lt. Shaela Bresnan, Backpacks for Afghanistan program coordinator. “Unfortunately, children here lack the opportunities to educate themselves. Even when they've access to a school that they're able to attend, they don't have the physical resources to get the most out of their education.”
Soldiers with the 649th started the Backpacks for Afghanistan program in August to meet the needs of students and teachers. Local students will receive backpacks with 5 pencils, 3 pens, 2 colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, 2 erasers, 2 notebooks and 2 folders. A kit also will be available for teachers with classroom materials such as world maps, construction paper and small chalkboards.
The 649th has set a goal to collect 5,000 backpacks and 200 teacher kits in 6 months. “We hope to reach as many students as possible within the Kandahar,” Bresnan said.
Backpacks for Afghanistan allows everyone to participate in building a future for generations. Many U.S. orgs, including churches and schools, already have donated. "If you change the life of a child, you change the world," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Elaine Holten, a Backpacks for Afghanistan organizer from Florida.
