Turks work to help local schools along

Zenica - The reopening of classes has just begun for the 120 pupils aged from 7 to 11 of Pojske school. There was a fine surprise waiting for them Sept. 14. A delegation from the Turkish CIMIC (Civil Military Co-operation) based in Zenica, came to bring them furniture. They also received many items such as coloored pencils, exercise books, note-pads, and drawing paper. The headmaster drew up the list of the school's needs himself.
"It is not our first action," said Maj. Recep Özdemir. "We have given furniture to 400 children in three days in two schools in Zenica, one in Vares and two in Zavidovici."
On the first floor of the old school that was first built in 1965, then rebuilt in 1998 thanks to the help of the Turkish Battalion, children, hearing their names called moved forward. They come from seven different villages. The school is fully multi-ethnic.
The CIMIC, during its missions, chose the schools they would help. But Asim Pivalic, the headmaster, has chosen the children in need who will get the furniture.
As the children each receive a brown bag of gifts, they each give a happy glance at it. Proudly, each of them shook the hands of their donors with a large smile as the reward.
"That's a gift for the children, not a help. We only wanted to see the smile on their faces," said Özdemir.
Of course, pupils will now work in better conditions.
"I'm very grateful to the Turkish Battalion," said Pivalic. "He helped us to rebuild the school in 1998 and they keep on helping us now."
The action is highly symbolic. To Özdemir, that kind of action is fully justified
"We're interested in children because they are the future of the country. If they grow up well, the future is guaranteed," he explained.
The CIMIC does not want to stop there though. It also plans to give computers to a high school in Zenica by the end of the month.

Related link:
Nations of SFOR: Turkey
Humanitarian Aid