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Greetings from one of our Dreamseed ambassadors in Iraq-  Major Nick Bugajski

Dreamseed's continue to be planted       

I wanted to tell you about one of the most rewarding experiences I had yesterday as it involved the items Operation Dreamseed sent!  As you know, I'm assigned to the unit that oversees the detainee mission here in Iraq on Victory Base in Baghdad. One of the many rights detainees have is the right to visitation by family and friends.  While family members are catching up with each other, the children run rampant in the playground outside of the facility or occupy themselves by coloring, reading or playing other games.  I spent a good hour playing with the children and, when it was time for them to leave, had the opportunity to pass out the packets and stuffed animals you provided.  Everything went like wildfire and I kindly ask that you send more items - the school supply packets are a big hit and are much needed.  You should have seen the pure joy in these children's eyes when we pulled them out.  With that said, I have to relate one quick instance to you.  In one of the photos, you'll notice a sweet, cute little girl with a pink jacket on.  When we were passing items out, I had a pink stuffed bunny rabbit that matched her jacket color that I wanted to give her in one hand and a school packet in the other.  Since she was so little, I didn't think twice about giving her the bunny rabbit but she wouldn't accept it ... she was just about to explode in tears if I didn't give her the school packet - when I did, a smile graced her face and her eyes lit up - it was absolutely moving.   - family and friends visit our locations on a daily basis bringing their children with them - the families are just as grateful as the children are.  While I've only attempted to organize our efforts in South America, I wasn't able, until now, to see the effect something as simple as a box of crayons and a notebook has on a child.  In my mind, it serves two purposes.  First, it fosters our very base philosophy: bringing educational outlets to children that might not otherwise have the privilege.  As former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan put it: "education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development."  But it goes further than that.  What it really does is strengthens our overall mission: nurturing long-term solutions and initiatives that help overcome the challenges in under-developed countries plagued by persistent conflict.  Children the world over see the loving and compassionate side of the American people and will grow up knowing that we are friends vice enemies, the same and not so different.  Having members of our military serve as the conduits of these items has an even more powerful message.

See testimonials from Nicaragua! Click here!

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