Summer Youth Program – Safeguard for Teens
By Sgt. Whitney Houston, 2/25 SBCT
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Youths from Taji teamed up, Aug. 11, 2008, as part of a summer youth hire program to clean up the Taji market, northwest of Baghdad.
The youth program was kicked off by the embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, “Warrior” 25th Infantry Division, Multi- National Division – Baghdad to assist adolescents appreciate their community and engage them in a good cause rather than leave them to outside influences.
The summer youth program began, Aug. 1, 2008, and employs male youths for two months during their summer holiday from school, said Capt. Timothy Cho, native of Oakland, Calif., and a member of the 2nd SBCT ePRT.
In the recent months, there have been reports of al-Qaida in Iraq trying to recruit children. By giving these adolescents a meaningful endeavor, they are taught the importance of neighborhood cleanliness and, at the same time, are kept safe from negative influence, Cho said.
“This program was implemented as a means to keep these kids busy and out of trouble as well as give them a sense of citizenship and teach them about the importance of why they need to keep their environment clean,” he said.
The children work from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. sweeping roads, gathering garbage, participating in teamwork building workshops, tree planting, painting and other renovation projects. They are paid $300 monthly, which helps the families who are in financial need.
“The kids normally wouldn’t do anything over the summer,” said Rudy Lirato, a native of Scottsdale, Ariz., who serves as a cultural advisor with the 2nd SBCT ePRT. “This program keeps them busy and makes them some money.”
Parents also seem excited for their children to be involved in these community oriented tasks, which helps children work together and leave differences behind to make the program an instant success.
“I think the parents love it because all the kids are actually out doing something together, working toward community goals and leaving their differences aside forming a good community,” Cho said.
Cho also explained that the program is not exclusive to Taji only but also extends to Tarmiyah, northwest of Baghdad, and Abu Ghuraib, west of Baghdad. The program targets youths ranging from ages 14-19.
“I would like to see this as a success story and implemented throughout Iraq in future years to come,” Cho said.
The struggle for a better Iraq is evident through the efforts of the young men who hit the streets daily to make their community a better place to live in. It also cultivates an affinity for Iraq’s youth by keeping them safe from dangerous influences that are ever present in today’s Iraq.
