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by J.D. Eicher The village is very poor and the people live in mud houses. The village school has very little school supplies. Some adults attend the school with the kids also in order to learn to read and write. I hope to get pens, pencils (with erasers and sharpeners), crayons, markers, paper, coloring books, drawing paper, any other small items. I've noticed that very few of the children have shoes even though it is winter there and very cold. In fact they got their first snowfall in history recently. I watched a little 3 year old walk down the road and he had to keep stopping to pick the rocks out of his feet. There is lots of glass and metal around for obvious reasons. I would love if people would send shoes and socks (gently used or new), flip flops, hats, t-shirts and sweatshirts. Nothing needs to be new, these kids need everything and in all sizes - more boys than girls since girls are not allowed to wear western type clothes. Also, of course, the kids love candy and I try to pass out candy when I can. I'd love to have more gum, hard candy, lollipops, etc. The kids crowd around their vehicles asking for candy and gum every time they enter the village. They also love soccer balls. Our unit will distribute whatever we get and if there is enough, we will make a special peacekeeping mission into the village to pass the stuff out at the school. The people of El Taji aren't anti-American, just pro-Taji. They want to take care of their village and will fight anyone they consider a threat. If the GI's show love to their kids, then they will help the GI's and point out areas where IED's are buried saying ' "Mister - boom" and show them the dangerous spots. This really is a way to show the love of Christ, an extension of His body reaching out to the Muslims."
Spc. Eicher, Jonathan This is mail that goes to CA and then on in military planes so only needs regular postage. |
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