Reaching out to an Iraqi family By CINDY BARTON Herald Staff Writer
Despite different backgrounds, countries, languages and skin colors, a local civilian volunteer has formed a solid friendship with an Iraqi family.
Andrew Miller is a Sapulpa resident currently working as a project engineer in Iraq for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Task Force Restore Iraqi Oil. He is a civilian volunteer on a 20-member team that is rebuilding oil and gas systems in Iraq that were destroyed during the war. While checking a pipeline near Az Zubayr in Southern Iraq in November 2003, he met a man and young boy who he liked immediately.
Miller made several visits to the site of the pipeline in order to monitor progress of the repairs. Each time he went, he got to know the family better and he eventually was invited into their home.
They lived about 100 yards from the site in a mud hut.
Miller said the man's job was to guard the nearby pipeline. His pay was $60 a month.
He had three daughters, two sons and a wife to feed. They had a propane stove to cook on and a barrel outside holding water.
"I couldn't believe how poor they were," he said. "I have never seen poverty like that in my life. Their floor was dirt, the animals were right outside the door and their bedding was all stacked in a corner because they slept on the floor."
In order for Miller to share information about the Iraqi family with his family and friends back home, he set up a Web site. He included pictures and names of the Iraqi family.
Christopher Miller, 9, is the youngest of Andrew Miller's four children. He saw the Iraqi family's home and pictures of them on his father's Web site.
"It's (their home) pretty sad," Christopher Miller said. "Makes me want to cry."
He shared the information with his 4H Club in Pretty Water, which is directed by Deborah Clark. They decided to do something to help the family. They sent toys and letters to the children in an effort to brighten their days.
Andrew Miller's family and friends were not far behind. They sent toys, gloves, kitchen utensils, towels and children's clothes. His parents sent tools and tablecloths. Someone mailed a tent to the family for extra shelter.
"That family is so easy to want to do good things for them," he said. "They're so nice."
He said they delivered the items to the family on Christmas Eve.
The Iraqi family also had a gift for Miller. They gave him a picture of themselves with the following transcription, translated into English:
"Peace to all and mercy from God. To: The American children of Andrew. We love you. We are an Iraqi small family and we would like to thank you dearly for the gift. I am Imaan, Muslim's mother, I am Nawara, Muslim's sister, I am Farah, Muslim's sister, I am Muslim, I am Tabiiba and I am Eaqill."
"They like to exchange gifts," Miller said. "They were really touched."
He said one of the little girls would not put down a teddy bear that she received.
"This little girl would hang on to the bear forever," Christopher Miller said about the pictures his father e-mailed to them.
Clark said the children were emotionally rewarded for their good deed.
"Seeing pictures of the family with our cards, letters and gifts made it all so very real for everyone involved," Clark said. "Our hearts go out to all the families and children in Iraq, and I am so thankful that our 4H group has had this opportunity to take action."
And the giving won't stop because the holiday season is over. Currently, the group is working on another care package.
"There is definitely a heart-felt connection between our 4H family and our 'adopted family' in Iraq," Clark said. "Chris Miller was very pleased and proud that his dad was able to initiate such a great and memorable activity for us to participate in. We look forward to our future interactions with our Iraqi family."
Debbie Miller, Andrew Miller's wife, said sending the packages to the Iraqi family helped her son feel closer to his father.
"He really needed to feel that connection and feel like he was helping his daddy," she said. "It was a really big deal to him."
She said distributing the gifts on Christmas Eve gave her husband and others handing out gifts a sense of family.
"They were away from their families, but they did have a family to be with that day," she said. "It was very meaningful for all of them."
Although it has been reported that some Iraqis are angry at Americans, Andrew Miller said many Iraqis are "thankful" that U.S. soldiers and civilian volunteers are in their country.
He also said the majority of the Iraqi people are peaceful. He said the Iraqis look forward to having more opportunities to acquire quality jobs now that the government system is changing.
"I hope they see that we care for their people and their country," he said. "We want to provide an opportunity for them to improve their own lives."
He said he looks forward to coming home in early February, but he will continue writing letters to the Iraqi family.
Throughout the last few months, Miller has learned it is important to have an open mind and heart.
"I need to take the opportunity to give of my time and whatever I can give," he said. "Just like this pipeline break, you never know when you will meet someone special and become friends with (them). It was all because of a pipeline leak."
Cindy Barton can be reached at 224-5185 Ext. 205, or lifestyles@sapulpadailyherald.
