BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (August 28, 2008) -- Task Force Gladiator, together with Afghan National Police and a contracted construction and supply company, delivered 75 desks, 10 chalk boards and 150 sets of school supplies to three villages in Kohi Sofi District, Jurghati, Hasanzi and Shawo Katay, on Aug. 26.    

The Commander’s Emergency Response Program funded supplies after Capt. William Coulter, Alpha Company commander, visited and assessed a number of local communities. 

“All three villages had absolutely no school supplies and the only one with any furniture was Hasanzi,” said Coulter.  “The furniture at Hasanzi was old, rotten and falling apart.”

Coulter’s team sprung into action.

“The cost of supplies distributed is over $15,600, with the majority of money being spent on wood and metal for the desks,” said Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Miller, CERP manager.  Task Force Gladiator worked closely with the local contractor to ensure materials could be accessed and distributed quickly.  Children of each village were given two sets of school supplies, to include a backpack, paper, coloring book, crayons, and other basic classroom materials. 

“The road system in this region is very bad and locals have no way to commute to Bagram Air Field or Kabul to work,” said Coulter.  Task Force Gladiator plans to distribute farming tools and several water wells to residents in these villages.

Shawo Katay Village, resting upon a mountain top, has no school building and uses a mosque for meetings and instruction.  Jurghati Village has a school, although it is based out of someone’s house and the structure of the building is poor.  Projects for school buildings are badly needed, especially in Jurghati where children from four villages gather together for instruction.
 
“Many projects to improve the lives of Afghan people take a long time,” said Coulter.  “School supplies, farm equipment and wells make a positive impact quickly on communities.”