Agribusiness Development Team Improves Security and Appearance in Ghazni

Polish soldiers hand out school supplies to students of Malika Jahan High School in Ghanzi City June 15. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Anna Wisłocka)

While the main focus of the ADT is supporting agricultural development, such as the construction small dams, irrigation canals and demonstration farms, they also help improve areas within city limits.

One recent project improved security at the Governor's Compound by extending the surrounding wall and modernizing the irrigation system within the compound which allowed for the planting of flowers, shrubs, trees and grass.

"In addition, a fountain will be repaired and sidewalks will be constructed. These improvements will give the compound more professional appearance for visitors of the Governor of Ghazni," said 1st Lt. Laura Childs, an ADT member.

Another stop for the patrol was Malika Jahan High School where the ADT built a guard post for the female security guards.

"Approximately 5,000 students learn in our school, there are more than 70 classes, with about 90 children each. Mostly girls learn here, although there are several classes of younger boys.” explained school director Kariman Mangel.

Coalition forces did not visit Malika Jahan High School empty-handed. They brought dozens of school kits, backpacks, pencil cases, books, notebooks and other supplies.

The patrol also meets with the District Development Group representatives, deputy provincial Gov. Muhammad Alli Ahmadi and the head of provincial education department Hussini Azizi Mubarak.

"We learned how many schools are in the province, how many children attend them and what the main problems are of these institutions," said education consultant Polish army Agnieszka Hejduk.

These types of meetings are extremely important because the DDG can obtain information about the real needs of specific environments. Later, the ADT or the provincial reconstruction team can carry out related aid projects, said Hejduk.