« Score one for the Marines | Main | "This is a story about heroes . . ." »

April 14, 2004

How you can help our Marines

During the past few months, I've corresponded with Jim Hake from the Spirit of America Foundation in California, regarding current efforts to support the No Better Friends program. Jim has the blessing of General Jim Mattis who commands the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and who pioneered the No Better Friends program as a strategy to befriend the people of Iraq. Since one of the side benefits of this program is goodwill that will help keep our troops safer in Iraq, I'm a huge cheerleader (my son is currently preparing to return to Iraq) but there are many other reasons to support the efforts of our Marines to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi citizens who are now on the doorstep of democracy.

The School Partners Program will match up elementary, middle, and high schools in the United States with partner schools in Iraq. The program goal is to build positive relationships between the people of Iraq and our own country, through dialogue and trust-building. Students would write to students, teachers would correspond with other teachers, and administrators would reach out to administrators.

The goal this spring is to find out what we need to be successful next fall. We need to talk with teachers and administrators to get an idea of how this might play out in practice. For example, my brother is an art teacher at North Bend Middle School on the Oregon coast. He is interested in doing an art exchange. Students in Iraq would send their paintings, drawings, and sculptures to the NBMS, and our students would send theirs to the partner school in Iraq. We will also be working with staff at local art galleries that would like to display the work for a wider audience after the students at NBMS have enjoyed it. I will also be contacting art supply companies to see if they would underwrite the project and/or contribute art supplies to be sent to the schools in Iraq. This is one example; other teachers might just have their students write to a partner classroom once a month or so. A student club might organize a toy or school supply drive. Students might hold a carwash or bake sale to raise funds in order to send a gift of friendship. There are many ways to make this happen.

Are you a teacher or administrator who is interested in finding out more about this project? I have a presentation that I can share with you or others that highlights what we in the U.S. can do to improve education in Iraq and improve our own understanding of world events at the same time. I think it would be a very positive experience for students here, and teachers might also be interested in building collaborative relationships with teachers in Iraq.

The Tools for Iraq program is seeking donations of used or new carpentry and plumbing tools to provide to Iraqi men in the ?Sunni Triangle? area of Iraq. The Marines are based in Ramadi and have responsibility for Al Anbar province which includes the city of Fallujah. One of the enduring problems is high unemployment in this restive area. By providing vocational tools and training, Iraqis can help in the rebuilding of their country. It's an excellent program and will help improve relations between our military and the Iraqis. The Tools for Iraq program is an excellent way to assist our Marines and other forces.

If you are acquainted with managers or executives of large retail stores (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.) or have suggestions on how to provide information on the Tools for Iraq program to builders and contractors who might be interested in participating, please contact the Spirit of America Foundation.

There are other ways to help, including a new effort to equip Iraqi media with cameras and equipment to film positive images to combat the negative broadcasts by Al Jazeera and other networks. Please visit the Spirit of America website and donate toward these worthy causes. The foundation is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.

Posted by Deb at April 14, 2004 11:21 AM

Comments

thank you for being the best that you can be. i hope you return to your home safe and sound. i wish you a very merry christmas and a happy new year. from, emma klein age ten

Posted by: emma at December 23, 2004 06:36 AM