Kabul, Afghanistan- Soldiers from U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A) headed out to a clinic in the village of Wayalatti, to assist the local community in the installation of a generator, June 17.
The construction of the clinic was funded by Coalition Forces several years ago, but was in need of a new generator and an additional hot water heater.
The village's elder, Sayad Dawood, requested the clinic and a nearby school from the U.S. Forces in 2011.
"Too much pain and suffering was inflicted over the Walayatti residents during the war between rival factions. Right now, the U.S. Army has built the school and the clinic because we were able to get help from the international community. The sign of our success is the school and the clinic," said a proud Dawood.
USFOR-A was able to procure a generator for the clinic through the Foreign Excess Property Program (FEPP), which facilitates the donation of equipment no longer in use, as Afghan Security Forces continue taking the lead and US troops transition into a smaller footprint.
FEPP has donated over 1.4 million pieces of equipment since Jan 2012, to assist in situations similar to Wayalatti.
Capt. Travis Davis, Chief Engineer at the Kabul Compound assigned to the US Army XVIII Airborne Corps, worked with the Afghans to install the generator.
"So much progress has been made in this village since the last time we were here. The security situation has improved and the village is benefitting from the clinic and the school," said Davis.
The village of Wayalatti had a difficult past with threats from insurgents, who initially would not allow the construction, and several villagers were injured in the struggle. The U.S. implemented a contract with local Afghans for the construction, contributing to stability of the area.
Once completed, the village still faced challenges to obtain staffing and equipment. However, the community worked together to maintain the buildings, guarding the facilities against occupancy by the insurgents.
The Clinic now has a staff of seven members dedicated to the health care of the village, providing basic health services to the 7,000 residents. A female doctor provides obstetrics and gynecology services.
"All children are able to receive essential vaccines against polio, measles, diphtheria and other diseases. The vaccines are facilitated by the Ministry of Public Health," said the Clinic Director, Dr. Naqibullah Ranjbare.
The neighboring school educates 2,000 Wayalatti children in three shifts a day.
The collaboration between the US Forces and the Walayatti community represents the enduring legacy of the Coalition with the people of Afghanistan.
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