Hawr Rajab citizens finding hope

  • Published
  • By Sgt. Jason Stadel
  • 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq --  Educational and economic opportunities for Hawr Rajab citizens are emerging with the Village of Hope program. Designed to teach Iraqis vocational skills such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing and well-drilling, classes will begin in the upcoming weeks. 

The vocational-technical school is being built on the grounds of Patrol Base Stone, in Troop A, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment's area of operations in Hawr Rajab. 

"We want to teach Iraqis skills so they can get sustained employment," said Lt. Col. Mark Solomon, 6-8th Cav. Regt. commander, from Fort Stewart, Ga. 

Soldiers of the 6-8th Cav. Regt. and Airmen of the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron are working together on the project; Soldiers are providing logistical support and Airmen are handling the rest. 

The Airmen are from the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, deployed from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The 557th ERHS is a civil engineering unit, composed of Airmen from the active-duty Air Force and Air Force Reserve. 

The 557th ERHS is headquartered at Balad Air Base but the unit has teams working at different locations throughout Iraq. 

"Everyone working on the Village of Hope volunteered to go," said Air Force Master Sgt. Richard Kapp, the Air Force liaison to the Army for the project. "Everyone is excited and happy to make a difference." 

Airmen will be teaching classes at the school. Their military construction skills will be the base of expertise for the curriculum. 

Before teaching begins, the Village of Hope training area needs to be completed. PB Stone will expand considerably as the Airmen build living quarters for themselves and put up tents where classes will be held. 

Teaching the Iraqis trade skills will be a new experience for most of the Airmen but they feel up to the challenge. 

"I think it's important these guys learn to build; they need to sustain themselves," said Master Sgt. Rodney Kilby, a structural craftsman from Hot Springs, Ark. 

Sergeant Kilby said this is the seventh time he's been deployed to southwest Asia. "I really think we can make a difference by teaching them," he said. 

Master Sgt. John Hudson, logistical craftsman with the 557th ERHS, said the Village of Hope is a positive step and a chance for Iraqis to improve their community. "Usually we're building to stay," the Bloomberg, Texas, native said. "This is the first part of my tour where we're building to leave." 

Teaching will encompass more than classroom lectures. Students will have hands-on experience and help rebuild their community simultaneously. 

"With the help of the instructors, the classes will be rebuilding 10 houses that have been destroyed and repairing 30 houses that have been damaged," Sergeant Kapp said. A play-ground will also be built in Hawr Rajab, he said. 

Physically rebuilding the community will also help boost the economy as most materials needed for construction will be bought from local merchants. 

The first class will help dictate curriculum for future classes, as instructors will work with interpreters and cultural advisers, learning from each class to improve the next. 

Morale is high for the Air Force volunteers as they anticipate the start of the first class. 

"This is the most positive thing we've done," Sergeant Hudson said. "That's why I volunteered." 

Each Village of Hope class will be three months long and include 50 students.