Posted on 01/19/2007 4:15:46 PM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD — Service members conducting patrols in Baghdad may catch a glimpse of what makes life so great back at home.
In a country where electricity is scarce and mud huts are common homes, many Iraqi families struggle to make a living. The trash-lined streets, often hiding explosives, are dangerous for children at play.
One aspect of a child’s life that usually remains a steady influence is going to school. When Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd Division National Police Transition Team visited a local elementary school, they found the rooms packed to capacity with small students. The rooms were so packed that desks were moved outside to make an additional classroom.
Although the school was only for girls, several small boys were spotted among the rows. Some families were granted permission to enroll males in the school because sectarian violence made other schools too dangerous.
While the boys’ parents believe the elementary school to be safer, each child there has been touched by violence. Many lost parents and other family members who were murdered. Others lost a sibling or friend who left school one day and never returned.
“Some were kidnapped and never came back,” a school administrator said. “We support (the children) and give special attention to the orphans who miss their mothers or fathers.”
Most of the students are accustomed to hearing gunfire on the streets, seeing the destruction left by a mortar round, watching Soldiers at traffic checkpoints and chasing military convoys.
“We travel down parts of Baghdad and then go to our sector and see the downtrodden areas,” said Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Andrus, communications NCOIC, 3rd Bn., 7th Bde., 2nd Div. NPTT. “It definitely makes me appreciate what I have as an American.”
Andrus said it’s hard to see Iraqi kids without the opportunities American children often have. He added that the worst part is that Iraqi children do not know to expect any better.
“It saddens my heart sometimes to see the conditions they live in, when it’s cold outside and kids are wearing flip-flops without jackets,” he said. “So many of these kids don’t even have a ball to play with, something we think is simple.”
Because the children have very little, transition team members provided whatever help they could. They packed up clothing donated from the United States and delivered it to the school. Team members also helped find desks and new doors for the school.
“The new units are welcome here,” the school administrator said. “I welcome them because they help me.”
During his last visit to drop off children’s clothing, Lt. Col. Anthony Cornett, team chief, 3rd Bn., 7th Bde., 2nd Div. NPTT, addressed a classroom of bright-eyed students. A young girl asked about terrorism in her country, and how he would help the Iraqi people.
“I work everyday to ensure that you’re protected; so does the National Police,” he replied. “They’re my friends. But I’m a human being just like you. Here (in the classroom) is where you can make a difference for Iraq.”
Because children are the future of their country, Andrus said school students make up a generation that can bring positive changes for Iraq. Transition team members will spend the remainder of their tour guiding National Policemen as they struggle to make those changes.
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