IA Soldiers Provide for the Future of Iraq
By Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield, 2/25 SBCT
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Taking care of children orphaned by war seems an insurmountable task. The Government of Iraq reported in Dec. 2007, approximately five million children are now orphans as a result of the war.
To help orphaned children in the Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad, the 36th Brigade, 9th Iraqi army division combined efforts with 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior,” Multi-National Division – Baghdad and developed a program called Children of God (Anbag Alah).
The Children of God began as an initiative to collect money and necessary amenities for orphans and widows with children.
The inspiration behind this program is 10-year-old Ahmed.
Ahmed is a small stature boy with a smile that will soften the most solid of hearts.
Both of his parents died when he was young and he was sent to live with his uncle in a small village across the street from an Iraqi army check point overlooking a bridge.
Although his uncle offers the child a place to sleep, Ahmed is responsible for providing for himself.
He was introduced to the IA soldiers and soon began to spend his days with them at a bridge checkpoint, asking questions and inquiring about their lives. It wasn’t long before they started gathering money together to buy him food.
During a meeting about the fate of the bridge, Ahmed’s situation was brought to the attention of the leaders and officers of the 36th Bde. They encouraged the soldiers not only to help this child, but to develop a program to improve life for all orphans and families in need in the area.
Iraqi Lt. Col. Rafid Mohsun Gadan, the civil affairs manager with the 36th Bde., puts forth great effort to collect food and amenities for these woman and children. He said he believes that with the encouragement of the Iraqi people and the support of the government this program will continue and grow strong.
“We have many orphans and poor people in this country and we need to help them,” he said. “This may seem very simple, but I believe that we are building a bridge to repair the gap between us.”
Helping to provide for those who have no other means helps break the stereotype of a once iron fisted force.
“This kind of program not only shows they are here to protect, but they have humanitarian efforts too,” said Capt. Omololu Makinde, native of Columbus Ohio, and Iraqi security forces coordinator with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn, 27th Inf. Regt.
These Soldiers have not only provided a better life for a child who didn’t have much, but they have also inspired him. Ahmed said he wants to be a soldier when he grows up.
“The soldiers teach me a lot of stuff,” he said, “they take care of me and I am very happy and grateful for what they do.”
