December Update 3
The morning after the December 15th elections I was contacted by an Iraqi friend of mine who wrote "If you ever doubt your time in Iraq just remember it was so I could have my purple finger today." This was a day we have long hoped would come – the elections in Iraq, reflecting the beginnings of a democracy that so many U.S. soldiers have helped to make possible. Nearly 70% of those eligible turned out to vote, during the last US Presidential election only an estimated 55% turned out to vote. Iraq's elections give me hope for their future, and more importantly gives them hope for their future.
War Kids Relief wants to be a positive part of that future as we move ahead into 2006. Before we get past the holidays I would like to give you an update on our progress.
Since its conception in the summer, War Kids Relief has made substantial progress in reaching our goal of helping the children of Iraq rebound and recover from the disruptive effects of war and give them hope for a better future than the one they would face otherwise.
We have worked closely with organizations such as the World Bank, USAID, the Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Child Welfare Council and countless other experts in the field of child development to develop a working model to assist the children in Iraq.
War Kids Relief has been featured on NBC Nightly News, CNN, Fox News, NPR and other media outlets as we spread the message that the children of Iraq are in need of help.
Much has been done, and much more still remains to be done.
In the first months of 2006, we will initiate the first assessment of Iraq orphanages since the war began. We will also begin to focus on the Network of Safe Havens by organizing the existing orphanages of the city, initiating support such as granting new rent payments and providing caretaker training in areas of first aid and counseling. These improvements will make the children's lives much happier and most importantly, safer. Additionally, we will begin reintegrating the children into families through the Family Program. This will provide the children the much-needed family environment where they will be able to attend public schools and be children again.
During an interview with BBC that aired just days ago, I spoke of my frustration, while in Iraq, about the poverty level, the kids living on the streets and the hope of the Iraqi people to just obtain a decent standard of living. My mission while in Baghdad was to help these people as best I could. This mission still continues here.
The next year is a critical time for Iraq, and War Kids Relief will be working hard to provide hope for the nation's children. By working closely with the emerging government we will provide the much needed support as veterans and victims forge a better future.
For more information on War Kids Relief, please visit the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) homepage, (http://vvaf.org).
War Kids Relief wants to be a positive part of that future as we move ahead into 2006. Before we get past the holidays I would like to give you an update on our progress.
Since its conception in the summer, War Kids Relief has made substantial progress in reaching our goal of helping the children of Iraq rebound and recover from the disruptive effects of war and give them hope for a better future than the one they would face otherwise.
We have worked closely with organizations such as the World Bank, USAID, the Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Child Welfare Council and countless other experts in the field of child development to develop a working model to assist the children in Iraq.
War Kids Relief has been featured on NBC Nightly News, CNN, Fox News, NPR and other media outlets as we spread the message that the children of Iraq are in need of help.
Much has been done, and much more still remains to be done.
In the first months of 2006, we will initiate the first assessment of Iraq orphanages since the war began. We will also begin to focus on the Network of Safe Havens by organizing the existing orphanages of the city, initiating support such as granting new rent payments and providing caretaker training in areas of first aid and counseling. These improvements will make the children's lives much happier and most importantly, safer. Additionally, we will begin reintegrating the children into families through the Family Program. This will provide the children the much-needed family environment where they will be able to attend public schools and be children again.
During an interview with BBC that aired just days ago, I spoke of my frustration, while in Iraq, about the poverty level, the kids living on the streets and the hope of the Iraqi people to just obtain a decent standard of living. My mission while in Baghdad was to help these people as best I could. This mission still continues here.
The next year is a critical time for Iraq, and War Kids Relief will be working hard to provide hope for the nation's children. By working closely with the emerging government we will provide the much needed support as veterans and victims forge a better future.
For more information on War Kids Relief, please visit the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) homepage, (http://vvaf.org).
posted by jpowersvvaf | 11:24 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home