KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Netherlands Col. Kees Marselis, Kandahar Airfield chief of staff, applauds a young Afghan boy for cutting the ribbon of the new bazaar school during the ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Jan. 21, 2012. Volunteers from the 809th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron rebuilt the school after the school burned down in October 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal)
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Netherlands Col. Kees Marselis, Kandahar Airfield chief of staff, speaks to the attendees and bazaar school children during the bazaar school ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Jan. 21, 2012. Volunteers from the 809th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron rebuilt the school after the school burned down in October 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal)
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Netherlands Col. Kees Marselis, Kandahar Airfield chief of staff, applauds the bazaar school children for continuing their education and wishes them a prosperous future during the bazaar school ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Jan. 21, 2012. More than 50 children attend the bazaar school every Saturday to learn about all school subjects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal)
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Afghan children line up to receive soccer outfits and shoes from Lt. Col. Patrick Verdon, Tactical Air Control Center liaison officer, at the Kandahar Airfield bazaar school Jan. 21, 2012. Verdon conducted a drive for the donated items from his Morristown, N.J. soccer club. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal)
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A credit board is on display after the bazaar school ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Jan. 21, 2012. Volunteers from the 809th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron rebuilt the school after the school burned down in October 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal)
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Staff Sgt. David Medina, 451st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, runs after a loose ball during the weekly soccer game against the bazaar school children at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Jan. 21, 2012. Volunteers from various 451st Air Expeditionary Wing units play against the children every week to promote physical fitness and camaraderie. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal)
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Airmen from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing play soccer against the bazaar school children at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Jan. 21, 2012. In a friendly game between the two teams, the 451st AEW team won 1-0. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal)
by Capt. Passion Julinsey
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
1/27/2012 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- In a symbolic gesture, a young Afghan boy cut the ribbon of the new bazaar school during the ceremony Jan. 21, 2012.
About 50 Afghan boys gathered around Netherlands Col. Kees Marselis, Kandahar Airfield deputy commander and chief of staff, as he spoke about the initiative that went into making the new bazaar school a reality.
"This school represents progress based on initiative. Initiative, whether high or low, contributes to social and economic development. This school wouldn't be possible without volunteers and donations from here and abroad," said Marselis.
"Bringing joy and education to children is immeasurable. Today we celebrate the possibility of keeping education alive for the next generation of Afghanistan."
Marselis thanked the 809th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron for taking the lead in rebuilding the school that had burned down in October 2011. He also recognized the volunteers who show up each week, the generous donors from various countries and the Afghan families who are supportive of their children receiving an education.
Between 50 to 75 Afghan boys attend the school each Saturday. While their relatives are selling goods to the base population at the adjacent bazaar, the boys gather inside a classroom to learn about math, science and Pashto.
For this particular Saturday, being the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing's turn to volunteer, Staff Sgt. Ramiro Quevedo had assembled a group of Airmen to play soccer with the Afghan boys.
At a nearby table, Lt. Col. Patrick Verdon, Tactical Air Control Center liaison officer, had soccer outfits and shoes ready for the boys. The items came from his soccer club in Morristown, N.J.
After a vigorous and friendly game between the 451st AEW volunteers and the Afghan boys, the 451st AEW team won 1-0.
Stephanie Tarsus, civilian coordinator for the bazaar school, smiled and called it another successful week of bazaar school.
