Al Anbar Province, Iraq, August 2004 –

The excitement that the 14 new alumnae of the first Iraqi Construction Apprentice Program (ICAP) feel as they accept their program certificates can be seen in the faces of the men who realize that they are free to choose a career and life for themselves for the first time in decades. As part of the graduation ceremony from the program that trains local Iraqi men ages 14-25 in basic construction, the graduates received new tools and tool belts which were donated by Spirit of America, a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles that helps Americans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan assist people in need.

Working in Al Anbar Province, Iraq with the ICAP and the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion’s “Seabees” unit, the Spirit of America was able to provide the tools necessary for 14 local Iraqi men who are training as carpenters, plumbers, electricians, concrete masons and construction inspectors. Combined with their training, these tools will enable the men to begin a new career and life. And of course what tradesman’s uniform would be complete without a hardhat, tool belt and measuring tape? Not to mention the trowels, wrenches, safety glasses, screwdrivers and of course hammers which are intrinsic to those professions. By donating over 300 complete tool sets valued at $60,000, which will be given to graduates all over the region, SoA was again able to assist the local people in need.

The Seabees of Fourteen are providing instructors for ICAP classes in 3 different locations throughout Iraq so the graduations and goodwill can continue. However, after attending the program which is divided into two stages, beginning with six to eight weeks of classroom and hands-on instruction, followed by four to six weeks of on-the-job training, the credit needs to be given to the 14 men of the ICAP program who literally risked their lives everyday to attend the school that they knew meant a new start for them and their families. Seeing a future before them in which they could support their families, provide a good living and enjoy their work must have looked great to them, for not one attendee missed a single day of school! The tools and training that the new graduates have received will not only improve their lives personally, but will allow them to be a part of building a new future for Iraq-literally. Even as the trainees were learning, they were already helping to construct a new medical clinic for the local Iraqi National Guard which served as a training project for ICAP students.

Using donations from over 10,000 sponsors comprised of private citizens, businesses, corporations and foundations, Spirit of America was able to provide American servicemen stationed in Iraq the opportunity to make a difference in the community in which they are serving. By contributing both their time and energy, these servicemen were able to change not only the lives of the local population, but were also able to demonstrate that American citizens support the Iraqi people and are committed to helping make their lives better than they were before the war.

For more information contact: Michele Redmond - Spirit of America michele@spiritofamerica.net www.spiritofamerica.net