U.S., Sri Lankan engineers begin repairing dilapidated school Published Aug. 19, 2010 By Master Sgt. Mike Hammond Pacific Angel 10-4 Public Affairs PUTTALAM TOWNSHIP, Sri Lanka (AFNS) -- A team of more than 20 U.S., Sri Lankan, and Mongolian civil engineers started repairing a dilapidated school here Aug. 16, as part of Operation Pacific Angel-Sri Lanka. The engineers dug trenches, laid water lines to the outdoor restroom facilities and built classrooms at a local school. As the mission continues, the team will also paint the buildings, repair and upgrade a shower facility, and install water faucets, among other tasks. The project is one of two engineering civic assistance programs being conducted as part of the U.S. Pacific Command-led Pacific Angel-Sri Lanka. In addition to offering needed repairs, the program is meant to foster teamwork between the partnering nations' governmental, civic, and military forces. "This is my first experience working with foreigners, and I'm enjoying it," said Sri Lankan army Cpl. Agith Priyantha GK, a member of the 4th Civil Engineer Regiment. "The Americans have the proper equipment and technology for the task. Their speed of work and the combination with our people is good." For 13-year old Amali Shashikala, an 8th grader at the Puttalam school, the Pacific Angel program will have a tremendous impact. "After this renovations program, it will be a good environment to study in," said Amali, whose favorite subject is English. "The other students feel the same way. I am very happy because this is the first time anyone has come out to make improvements to our school" Amali added that she hopes to one day become a teacher at the school. "I want to make a contribution and share my knowledge with society," she said. Resources have been hard to come by until this mission, said Ranjaney Fernando, the school's principal since 2000. "The people are very poor, and we do not have enough teachers," she said. "The teachers we do have come from different areas. Three teachers actually live in the school. We make many sacrifices to educate the children. With the lack of resources and the climate here, it is a difficult environment for education. Because of this (Pacific Angel) program, our infrastructure will improve." Operation Pacific Angel is a U.S. Pacific Command-led medical and engineering civic assistance program that seeks to build partnerships among various nations in the Pacific and South Asia regions. In addition to the civil engineering work, participants in Pacific Angel-Sri Lanka are also performing medical treatment and training with Sri Lankan, Maldives, and Mongolian counterparts. The exercise continues through Aug. 22.