Afghanistan My Last Tour

ANA SGM stocking English books on shelves

Judging by the grins on their faces, you would have thought we were celebrating a holiday or someone’s birthday.  Instead my ANA SGM just recently stocked the empty book shelves with some new books.  If you have been following my blog, you will recognize this facility as a former mosque converted into a library to benefit the ANA soldiers.

Library before the transformation

The transformation process is just about complete except for a few outside enhancements.  The interior walls have been patched and painted sea foam green with white eggshell trim.  Prior to the painting, certain parts of the religious Arabic writing on the walls were carefully removed and given to the ANA religious officer.  The flooring is a cheap version of linoleum and the shelving is made of particle board.

Outisde of the library now after renovations

New window glass and frames were installed along with a sturdy entrance door.  The exterior is painted the same colors and outdoor tiling has replaced the former cracked concrete decking.  Metal railing outlines the outside patio which is also painted sea foam green.  Not sure who picked the colors, but they seem to like them.

Team leader, ANA Colonel and Jake, the interpreter, in the library

While my team was out on the election mission, my ANA SGM stayed behind to ensure the project was on schedule.  Yesterday the ANA colonel visited since returning from the election and held his daily meeting with our ETT team leader.  The colonel was very satisfied with the improvements that took place.  Today some additional ANA officers visited the facility and were drawn to the shelves sparsely occupied by new books that the SGM purchased.

ANA religious officer (center) and other officers in the library

My team also brought some English language books and they dedicated an entire rack for these items.  In comparison, the new ANA library is much larger than the one we use here at the camp, but our shelves are overflowing with reading material.

My teammate and I were very selective in choosing the English language books too.

ANA officers inside the library

We had to ensure there were no sexy pictures of women (to include women in shorts) or religious references that might contradict their religious beliefs.  Believe it or not, the most popular books with this group of ANA were the children’s books.  These books would permit them to practice their reading and comprehension skills.  One of the officers asked if he could have a book for his son who is an eighth grader.

My SGM was happy being the librarian for today and stocking the shelves.  We also discussed about future improvements and accountability for the books.  He is afraid if the books are checked out of the library, they will not return.  He is insisting that the soldiers stay at the library to read the books.  I am suggesting a sign-out sheet with all of their identifying data.  Perhaps when I give him more project money for books and he stocks the shelves, he will change his mind.

We still have a few more improvements to make to the exterior to include planting rose bushes and trees.  Then we are going to have a ribbon cutting ceremony and feast.  Of course out of respect for Ramadan, we will wait until after the holy month is over before celebrating.  My SGM has talked frequently about slaughtering a goat or sheep, so it could be another cultural learning experience.

Justice posing for a new picture

Justice, the camp puppy, posed for another picture today.  I found out recently, that Darkness his mother was actually a surrogate mother.  Apparently Justice wandered over from “ANA Land” (based on his size, I’m assuming he was the runt) and Darkness treated him like one of her pups.  She let him suckle for milk and cared for him too.  She treated him the same way as she did with the puppies that she gave birth to.  Who would have known?

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, Deployment, ETT, photography, war