Friendly competition

Story by Mass Communications Specialist 3^rd Class Sean Weir
NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, Public Affairs Office
 
Service members from Camp Eggers Voluntary Community Relations (VCR) group visited the Setara School, Aug. 26, in an enhance the commands support of underserved communities in Afghanistan.

This is the second visit the VCR group has made to the school recently.  Both times supplies and sporting goods have been delivered and volleyball competitions have been held between service members and students.

“By allowing volunteers and students to interact with one another and have fun, we realize that we have a common goal: To ensure that the future of Afghanistan is bright and self-sustaining,” says Sgt. Jaclyn R. Hill, VCR program director. “Like most schools in Afghanistan they need assistance and this particular school is conveniently located in Kabul and gives us a perfect opportunity to help out.”

“I would like Setara School to be a school that we permanently sponsor, probably going out every month. This school has over 6,000 students and I would like to see the program focus on really making an impact on this school vs. minimal impact on multiple schools or projects.”

 The students and service members played a game of volleyball and had a jump roping competition. The students won both events, which leaves the students undefeated, as they beat the service members on the last trip as well.

 “The students love to play with them (service members) they have been looking forward to playing again and the opportunity to share cultures is good. It is really helpful when they bring us supplies. I enjoy the visits,” said Nasren Nourzai Barkzi, Setara School principal.

VCR missions give service members the opportunity to do something outside of their normal daily routine and serve the local community.

“It was a lot of fun to see the kids having a good time and smiling.  It reminded me of playing at home with my own kids, said Sgt. Warren Waddell . “There is hope for the future of a country whose children can still smile and play.”

“ Events like this are vital to our mission success in Afghanistan,” said waddell.  “We are here to provide a stable and secure Afghanistan.  The people here have the same desires we do, a place for their children to grow up unharmed.  When we are able to do VCR missions, we are able to improve their quality of life and enable them to understand and appreciate our efforts.”

NTM-A is a coalition of 38 troop contributing nations assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country’s security by 2014. For more information about NTM-A, visit www.ntm-a.com.

Tags: afghanistan, camp eggers, culture, education, Feature, featured, gender, graduation, ISAF, Kabul, literacy, nato, nato training mission, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, NTM-A, school, student, VCR, Volunteer Community Relations, women

Category: News - General