Republic of Korea PRT promises to be good neighbors, friends
ISAF-JC: KABUL, Afghanistan – The Republic of Korea Provincial Reconstruction Team, the leader for helping develop the infrastructure in Parwan province, held its largest event since its arrival in July at the Totem Dara Bala School in the Charikar District, Parwin province, Saturday.
About 300 students and villagers attended a ceremony to watch Hee-Seog Kwon, the ROK PRT director, sign a document that signified the PRT’s commitment to building a new well in the district, and several other small “immediate impact” projects. In addition to the ceremony, they also dedicated two soccer goal posts and provided a medical civilian assistance program at the school.
However, in addition to the ceremonial significance of the day, the ROK PRT and U.S. soldiers also had the opportunity to help some of the villagers by providing medical aid.
In fact, within minutes of stepping out of the truck they had their first patient – an 18-year-old man who was bleeding significantly from an inch-long gash on his forehead. U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Sawyer
Alberi, the medical operations non-commissioned officer for Headquarters Company, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, rushed to clean and bandage the wound. Dr. Suksam Park, the Korean Hospital director, stitched the wound.
After the initial excitement, Alberi and Park set up in two different classrooms, one for women and one for men, to provide routine care for the rest of the day.
“It is very important as initial good will move to show the people of Afghanistan we are here to help,” said Alberi. She added the next steps would include training the Afghans to perform their own first aid. “It is the first of many steps in the counterinsurgency mission.”