Though the SoA team works hard to bring every project to a successful completion as quickly as possible (i.e. supplies purchased, received, distributed and updates posted), even with our best efforts some projects take many months to complete.  The Library Books for Iraqi Children  has been one of those projects. 

Originally begun in the Fall of 2004, the effort to bring books to Iraqi children has been hampered by purchasing challenges, shipping delays, a search for in-country support and security issues stemming from sectarian violence.  Early on, Spirit of America staff realized that we needed a partner organization with personnel stationed in Iraq to help facilitate the receipt and distribution of the books.  We are very fortunate that LIFE for Relief and Development was recommended to us by personnel then serving with the US State Dept.  LIFE has proved to be an invaluable ally, and their commitment to the success of this outreach effort hasn't wavered even with the months of delay and the tragic and untimely death of one of LIFE's Baghdad Director of Programs in October of 2006. We are especially grateful to LIFE team members Dr. Adil Al-Nuaimi and Vicki Robb for their dedication and support. 

For all the challenges and delays, the Library Books program has remained one of our favorites. It encapsulates many of the difficulties and the joys that we experience every day in getting the needed supplies from here in the US to our requestors and on to those who need them most.  In the end, seeing the photos of smiling children enjoying books they may never have had access to except for this project makes it all worthwhile.  We appreciate the patience of those who donated directly to the project!  While it make take longer than we might like sometimes, the SoA team does everything we can to see each project through and bring you confirmation of just how much of a difference your contributions can make. 

We hope you enjoy these photos of the distribution of over 1,000 books to 9 different schools throughout Iraq.  The Iraqi Ministry of Education identified the schools and, in most cases, specifically created a "library" to house the new books.  Regardless, of whether the library consists of a single shelf, a dedicated room with study desks or an outside classroom, it is evident from these pictures that the books will be well-loved.

Books on display at the Gifted Student School in Karkh

Iraqi Girls at the Talented Student School in Karkh 

SoA Sign at the Talented Student School In Karkh, Iraq 
Baghdad Secondary School-1 of 9 schools receiving donated books

 

Boys at the Baghdad Secondary School studying hard

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Posted by: Michele Redmond

More books collected and donated by students in Texas have been delivered to Wasit University in Iraq. Spirit of America funded transport of the books via ocean container into Iraq and LIFE's Iraqi Director Dr. Adil al-Nuaimi helped to facilitate delivery directly to Wasit.  We are grateful to LIFE for their help and support as we transported these much-needed books for those seeking a better education in Iraq.

Books for Wasit University in Iraq

A truckload of books arrives at Wasit Univ.

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Posted by: Michele Redmond

LIFE organization, which has been a valued partner in our Library Books for Iraqi Children project, tragically lost their Director of Programs in Baghdad, Abdul-Sattar Abdullah Al-Mashhadani, when he was killed at a checkpoint reportedly run by sectarian militias last month. 

Despite these devastating circumstances, they remain committed to their mission of improving conditions in Iraq.  Their dedicated staff recently received the 40' ocean container packed with library books for 9 schools in Iraq purchased from Books-A-Million with funds generously donated by SoA supporters and friends.  Look for photos and updates of the installation of the books as soon as we received them.

Tagging along with this shipment were 4,000 textbooks collected by students and teachers at Ball High School in Galveston, Texas.  US Marine Colonel David Couvillon, who was one of SoA's first requestors in Iraq, approached us to help with transport of these books bound for Wasit University in Iraq.  LIFE personnel graciously facilitated delivery of the books from Baghdad to the university in Al-Kut.  Below are pictures of the delivery to grateful school officials.

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Posted by: Michele Redmond

English translations of these books are being shipped by an ocean freighter and will arrive in four to seven weeks.

You can visit Taghreed Najjar’s Web site at www.alsalwabooks.com.

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Posted by: Michael Totten