US Army Sergeant Kaylan Jennings Playground Project

An often overlooked group in Iraq is the children and families who travel many miles with little resources over dangerous roads to visit relatives who are prison detainees. Reaching out in friendship to these families has the unique potential to present a positive impression of the US to a critical population. By showing these wives and children concern about their well-being during a difficult time, there is great opportunity to combat negative stereotypes. SSG Jennings has a wonderful heart and a commitment and has requested school kits, games and toys and playground equipment.

Staff Sergeant Kaylan Jennings and friend

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Original Request from SSG Kaylan Jennings

Hello! I am a soldier currently serving a 15 month tour in Iraq. We currently work at an Iraqi prison in Southern Iraq. We have over 20,000 male Iraqi detainees here. Their wives, mothers, sisters, friends and children are allowed one visitation a month. I am contacting you on behalf of the children. These families often travel 2-3 days from Baghdad along some of the most dangerous routes in the world. They sleep in cars and on buses. Because the males are usually the main workforce in a family, many of these women and children have nothing. I was wondering if your organization has any program that might be able to help get toys and clothes to the children coming here on visitation meetings. I am putting together a mass Toy-drive from numerous churches and families at my home station. Any help would be appreciated. My ultimate goal would be to build a playground and an area specifically for the kids here. Anything you can do to help or just a point in the right direction would be greatly appreciated more than I can say! Thank you so much for everything you do! SSGT Kaylan Jennings

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