Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Houston | 2nd Lt. Andrew Kendzierski, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., who serves with Headquarters...... read more read more
By Sgt. Whitney Houston
Multi-National Division - Baghdad
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – With many families lacking the daily essentials in Ameriyah, a neighborhood in western Baghdad, Soldiers serving with 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, attached to 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Div., Multi-National Division - Baghdad, delivered 50 humanitarian aid boxes to the Al Firdous mosque on Nov. 13.
The boxes were dropped off to be given to needy families in the area through a key local community leader, or shaykh.
"We've done this a few times," said 2nd Lt. Andrew Kendzierski, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., who serves with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th. Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt. "We bring these aid boxes to local mosques, and then the shaykh of that particular mosque will gather families together, and then the shaykh ensures that the care packages get to them. At this particular mosque, Shaykh Abu Hassan has at least 50 deserving families in mind, and each box provides enough for that family – at least for a little while."
Kendzierski said that each box contained oil for cooking, rice, water, laundry detergent, essential items for those less-fortunate families.
Providing for families in need through a well-known and respected local leader is a way for coalition forces to bring local leadership to the forefront of continued efforts to improve relationships with local nationals and set the stage for permanent security for Baghdad residents.
"We press the streets here all of the time in Ameriyah, but when it comes to personally knowing the people, the shaykhs know best," said Kendzierski. "He knows which Families need the boxes the most. Also, the local populous comes to pray here, and working through the shaykh shows them our working relationship with the community."
Humanitarian aid missions seem to be of worth to both the givers and the receivers. Upon delivery, an immediate sense of satisfaction is felt by the Soldiers involved.
"This is my fourth time I've gone on a humanitarian aid drop," said Spec. Dezkamil Bailey, a Houston native, who also serves with 4th. Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt. "We did a food drop a couple of days ago at a mosque like this one, and I noticed there were a lot of families there who were very happy getting the food they needed. I think it has really benefited them and it makes me feel great being a part of it."
Kendziersky expressed his gratitude for being able to help the people in an area that, until earlier this year, was a hotbed for violence.
"You know, it's a good feeling to be a part of this. The people of Ameriyah have gone through a lot over the past two years, and it's good to be able to help these guys out so that they can continue to provide for their families."
Ongoing efforts to help the residents of Baghdad through humanitarian aid and other such missions continue to help neighborhoods like Ameriyah achieve a higher level of stability and security through cooperation with their local leaders.
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2008 17:39 |
| Story ID: | 26384 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 193 |
| Downloads: | 159 |
This work, 10th Cavalry Soldiers, Iraqi police deliver humanitarian aid in Ameriyah, by SFC Whitney Houston, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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