Caring for Those Most in Need
by Sgt. David Bryant 36th ID
BASRA, Iraq – The price of constant warfare is dear; paid for with the blood and lives not only of those engaged in it, but by the innocent civilians left in the wake of battle. Some children are left without any family. Mothers must find ways to care for their children.
There is, however, always a bright ray of hope shining on the best of mankind’s virtues. For the orphans and widows of Iraq’s southern province of Basra, that light comes from an orphanage and school called Dar Al-Zahra, established by Dr. Wathib Salman Al A’mood, an Iraqi native who immigrated to Great Britain after being exiled in the early ‘80’s.
“The orphanage covers the entire district of Basrah, taking care of the health of children both in and outside of the orphanage,” said Falah Hassan, the senior cultural advisor for United States Division – South and retired major general (pilot) of the Iraqi air force. “We’ve been asked to bring children’s books, reading books, drawing supplies for the kids, medical supplies for the clinic; any kind of items they might need, such as blankets, sheets, pillows and such.”
The orphanage currently houses about 80 children. Both the children and the staff were wary of the American military when they first started visiting, but the assistance provided by members of USD – S has helped foster a growing relationship of trust, Hassan said.
“Within the group are children from the age of three to the early teenage years,” said Farida Samano, USD – S cultural advisor and women’s initiative coordinator. “And they are taking in even those children with only one parent, mainly a mother who cannot support the child. What is different about (this orphanage) is they allow the mother to visit her children regularly; to see how they are treated, how their schooling is going and such. This allows the mother to better support her family.”
The staff of the orphanage, from the principal down, treats all of the children as if they were their own. They see not only to the children’s physical needs, but also to the educational, religious and emotional needs as well, added Samano.
“The way the faculty encourages and treats the children, I was able to see they were all happy,” said Samano. “I talked to one of the faculty and found out that one of the teenagers who sang for (Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs, deputy general-maneuver, 1st Infantry Division) not only has an amazing voice, but is also an honor student. The children are very smart and talented, but they could use more educational materials.”
More lab equipment, computers and text books on different subjects at the different grade levels would greatly benefit the school run by the Dar Al-Zahra orphanage, added Samano.
“The school is a private school, but it’s open to children other than just the orphans,” said Samano. “The idea is to help make the children feel like they are not alone; they are able to interact with other children and feel more accepted, so they are not reminded all the time of their status.”
The orphanage currently houses about 80 children. Both the children and the staff were wary of the American military when they first started visiting, but the assistance provided by members of USD – S has helped foster a growing relationship of trust, Hassan said.
“Within the group are children from the age of three to the early teenage years,” said Farida Samano, USD – S cultural advisor and women’s initiative coordinator. “And they are taking in even those children with only one parent, mainly a mother who cannot support the child. What is different about (this orphanage) is they allow the mother to visit her children regularly; to see how they are treated, how their schooling is going and such. This allows the mother to better support her family.”
The staff of the orphanage, from the principal down, treats all of the children as if they were their own. They see not only to the children’s physical needs, but also to the educational, religious and emotional needs as well, added Samano.
“The way the faculty encourages and treats the children, I was able to see they were all happy,” said Samano. “I talked to one of the faculty and found out that one of the teenagers who sang for (Brig. Gen. Ricky Gibbs, deputy general-maneuver, 1st Infantry Division) not only has an amazing voice, but is also an honor student. The children are very smart and talented, but they could use more educational materials.”
More lab equipment, computers and text books on different subjects at the different grade levels would greatly benefit the school run by the Dar Al-Zahra orphanage, added Samano.
“The school is a private school, but it’s open to children other than just the orphans,” said Samano. “The idea is to help make the children feel like they are not alone; they are able to interact with other children and feel more accepted, so they are not reminded all the time of their status.”
Stumble It!
