March 2009
So the time for my second regional visit has come about already. And it’s to the North of Iraq. Things have moved on so quickly in the few weeks since my Southern visit. We have managed to get more project proposals, have taken delivery of more donations from the Gulf Region Division’s Enduring Impressions programme and are slowly rolling out all the donations to the regions for hearts and minds distribution.
It is so nice to get out of the compound and see the real Iraq, albeit through a vehicle window. But at least it gives you another view. The drive out of Baghdad really just puts the city into perspective. It is a huge, sprawling dusty place, with minarets peeking up in the skyline, people bustling through the streets, markets and traffic jams. The outskirts of the city give way to the main highway, which is bordered by huge rubbish sites. Then we hit the traffic… which to be honest, is a comical affair. More like a circus than anything else and if you were in the driving seat it is probably best to close your eyes and keep your fingers crossed. Having manoeuvred ourselves around lorries, checkpoints, cars, tractors, minibuses overflowing with passengers and finally through a couple of ditches we were on our way. Soon you hit the suburbs where the buildings become more sparse, only occasionally giving way to a row of shops which seem to have been built in garages along the way. But there are people milling around, drinking chai, chatting the day away. Farms run parallel to the road and you start seeing fields being ploughed or irrigation equipment over crops. The recent rains have helped the land a lot around this country – much needed help. Some farms have small amounts of seeds, so if they suffer from a bad crop it could lead to a failed farm – the main economy in these areas. But there are swathes of greenery cutting through the sands and that shows that there is some improvement since my last visit to the North and that this year may be a good year for agriculture. I see a few surprising sights that I hadn’t expected as well…. entrepreneurial car washes or restaurants with planting and outside seating areas with quite frankly delicious looking food being advertised…not sure I will be eating there just yet but it shows that it is a possibility in the very near future. It shows that there is hope and that things can, and are, getting better. But slowly.
My regional visit to the North was taking in a number of locations near Tikrit, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Balad. Having visited all of our teams who work for the US Army Corps of Engineers the project ideas are flowing. We are looking at providing water storage tanks for communities and playgrounds for an orphanage and a school. We need more donations of stationery supplies for schools, clothing and shoes for children…the list is endless.
All the teams know that immediate needs can be met by using the Aegis Foundation and when I look at the communities in this area, I know that they will make a difference. Most communities don’t want to be spoon-fed; they just want a head start in developing their own community. Some of the areas are struggling economically so I think I would like to try and approach companies to donate small business loans. I’m sure that would work. The Iraqis being a very proud people will soon want to stand on their own two feet, many of them do already but to be able to help give them a boost where it is needed most would be brilliant.
I have just had an update from the South that we have completed one of our projects by providing sports equipment and supplies to a community centre. I am waiting for some photos, but by all accounts it was a great success with all the community showing up and their Sheikhs and leaders present. Photos to follow! All in all, there is more work to do - than we have time or money, but with careful selection we can make our efforts really count. Your support is always appreciated and our teams work very hard to make sure that the benefits can be seen in the community as quickly and effectively as possible.
It is so nice to get out of the compound and see the real Iraq, albeit through a vehicle window. But at least it gives you another view. The drive out of Baghdad really just puts the city into perspective. It is a huge, sprawling dusty place, with minarets peeking up in the skyline, people bustling through the streets, markets and traffic jams. The outskirts of the city give way to the main highway, which is bordered by huge rubbish sites. Then we hit the traffic… which to be honest, is a comical affair. More like a circus than anything else and if you were in the driving seat it is probably best to close your eyes and keep your fingers crossed. Having manoeuvred ourselves around lorries, checkpoints, cars, tractors, minibuses overflowing with passengers and finally through a couple of ditches we were on our way. Soon you hit the suburbs where the buildings become more sparse, only occasionally giving way to a row of shops which seem to have been built in garages along the way. But there are people milling around, drinking chai, chatting the day away. Farms run parallel to the road and you start seeing fields being ploughed or irrigation equipment over crops. The recent rains have helped the land a lot around this country – much needed help. Some farms have small amounts of seeds, so if they suffer from a bad crop it could lead to a failed farm – the main economy in these areas. But there are swathes of greenery cutting through the sands and that shows that there is some improvement since my last visit to the North and that this year may be a good year for agriculture. I see a few surprising sights that I hadn’t expected as well…. entrepreneurial car washes or restaurants with planting and outside seating areas with quite frankly delicious looking food being advertised…not sure I will be eating there just yet but it shows that it is a possibility in the very near future. It shows that there is hope and that things can, and are, getting better. But slowly.
My regional visit to the North was taking in a number of locations near Tikrit, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Balad. Having visited all of our teams who work for the US Army Corps of Engineers the project ideas are flowing. We are looking at providing water storage tanks for communities and playgrounds for an orphanage and a school. We need more donations of stationery supplies for schools, clothing and shoes for children…the list is endless.
All the teams know that immediate needs can be met by using the Aegis Foundation and when I look at the communities in this area, I know that they will make a difference. Most communities don’t want to be spoon-fed; they just want a head start in developing their own community. Some of the areas are struggling economically so I think I would like to try and approach companies to donate small business loans. I’m sure that would work. The Iraqis being a very proud people will soon want to stand on their own two feet, many of them do already but to be able to help give them a boost where it is needed most would be brilliant.
I have just had an update from the South that we have completed one of our projects by providing sports equipment and supplies to a community centre. I am waiting for some photos, but by all accounts it was a great success with all the community showing up and their Sheikhs and leaders present. Photos to follow! All in all, there is more work to do - than we have time or money, but with careful selection we can make our efforts really count. Your support is always appreciated and our teams work very hard to make sure that the benefits can be seen in the community as quickly and effectively as possible.
