Al Kendy School opens in Qahira

By Maj. Mike Humphreys

3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B

Members of the Qahira Neighborhood Action Committee, the Iraqi Ministry of Education and Al Kindy School faculty gather to cut a ribbon to officially open the Al Kindy School in the Qahira neighborhood of the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad. (U.S. Army courtesy photo, 3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

BAGHDAD - Students, teachers, local leaders and interested Iraqi citizens gathered in the freshly paved and swept courtyard of the newly refurbished school in the Qahira neighborhood of the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad for the official opening of the school.

On display this day was the white-washed Kendy School, trimmed in pink and blue that shined on the sunny day, waiting to be filled with Iraqi children anxious to learn.

The school underwent a three-month renovation that included updating old and faulty wiring, new plumbing, painting inside and out, landscaping and new desks and chairs for the students and teachers, said Lt. Col. Michael Pappal, commander of the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

The Al Kindy School underwent a three-month renovation that included updating old and faulty wiring, new plumbing, painting inside and out, landscaping and new desks and chairs for the students and teachers. The school officially opened in the Qahira neighborhood of the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad. (U.S. Army courtesy photo, 3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

"It's important to help improve the (Iraqi) government's ability to educate future generations of Iraqis and to really take Iraq to the next level," Pappal said.

A handful of MND-B Soldiers were on hand for the opening, but this was very much an Iraqi event, Pappal said.

While Pappal's battalion sponsored the project, more than $300,000 of Iraqi reconstruction money was spent on this contract as part of an ongoing Government of Iraq program to renovate and refurbish Iraq's schools.

Members of the Qahira Neighborhood Action Committee, the Iraqi Ministry of Education, the Al Kindy School faculty, students and family, gather to officially open the Al Kindy School in the Qahira neighborhood of the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad. (U.S. Army courtesy photo, 3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

The Al Kindy school will enrich the lives of the children and the community for generations to come, said Moayad Eddin Muhamed, the Qahira Neighborhood Action Committee chairman, who added he was thankful for the work the MND-B Soldiers and the Government of Iraqi put into the effort.