JIKO, Iraq (October 13, 2008) -- Iraqi children peered at what seemed like a mountain of school supplies, anxiously waiting in line to receive their share for the new school year.
Army Cpl. Greg Farrell, an assistant team leader from Denver, attached to Task Force 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, and Marines with the unit delivered the supplies to schools throughout the Tri-cities area of Iraq, recently.
The supplies included folders, notebooks, numerous pens and pencils and several other items donated by the Southeast Denver Rotary Club.
Farrell had worked with his father Kevin, the Iraqi project director for the club, since April to arrange collection and delivery of the supplies.
“I would see a lot of children who didn’t have many school supplies,” Farrell explained. “So, I wanted to find a way to better equip the children for higher learning.”
Once the supplies arrived in Iraq, Farrell said he was eager to hand them out. With support from Marines with the battalion’s Mobile Assault Company, he was able to visit and pass out supplies at the kindergarten school in Sattack and the elementary and high schools in Jiko.
“Seeing the faces of the children makes the months of waiting and hassle well worth it,” said Farrell.
Kevin said the club was happy to assist with the contribution, knowing the supplies are being used to educate the future of Iraq.
“It’s a great feeling to know that these supplies will further the education of children who have experienced a lot of trauma in their lives,” Kevin told a media contact with Rotary International.
The club also donated several workbooks and teaching supplies to the schools’ principals and head masters.
Farrell is scheduled to return to the U.S. soon, but he intends to continue donations to help Iraq’s children.
“These children really need as much supplies as possible and there are good people back in Denver who want to help,” he said.