Thanks to your generous donations to Spirit of America's Unrestricted Fund, more Iraqi students have the tools to make their education everything it should be.  Though access to basic supplies such as pencils, paper, scissors and glue are a given here in the US and taken for granted (at best!) by most American students, in Iraq these supplies are harder to come by in many areas.  Imagine for a moment trying to learn spelling or math for the first time without the benefit of something as simple as pencil and paper.

Iraqi students with their shiny new backpacks

The lack of vital materials necessary for learning is the reason SoA is always pleased to be able to use your Unrestricted contributions to purchase school supplies at the request of US military personnel like Army Staff Sergeant (SSG) William Disoso stationed at Camp Liberty, Iraq.  SSG Disoso received 100 school backpacks from SoA; his message from the distribution is copied below.  If education is the cornerstone of success, every school kit we provide as a result of your donations helps to bring an Iraqi child closer to a brighter future.

Email from Army SSG William Disoso, Camp Liberty, Iraq:

"In early March 2009 my unit was able to distribute a large amount of school supplies to one of the poorest areas of Baghdad that I know about. This operation brought many smiles and thanks from both the school children as well as the teachers at the local school. Seeing the children's response reminded me that those children are on different than our own in the U.S. In addition to the smiles of the children I have testimony from several soldiers stating that because of this operation and another that we conducted in that area the safety of our own Soldiers and the attitude of the local populace was improved greatly. Myself and my unit want to thank the volunteers of Spirit of America as well as all the sponsors who donated much needed school supplies.

Thank you
SSG Disoso, William
836th EN CO"

Iraqi student receiving SoA donated backpacks