BAGHDAD — Children at a girl's school in the Rashid District of southern Baghdad, received school supplies from Iraqi federal police during a visit to the school, thanks to efforts from Soldiers of Company A, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team.
U.S. Soldiers gave new back packs stuffed with pencils, pencil sharpeners and educational materials to Iraqi police officers of the 2nd Federal Police Division, to hand to the students of al-Imtithal Elementary School.
The Soldiers also gave soccer balls, crayons, coloring books and office supplies to the school's principal, Eman Ibrahim Hussein, to distribute and use later.
"It's a great thing to be able to do this," said one Iraqi police officer. "We need to do more of this. It's win-win for everybody."
Hussein accompanied the group as they visited each classroom.
Children smiled and giggled as the Iraqi police officers presented each child with the items.
"It was nice to see the federal police working with the schools and see the children being comfortable around the federal police," said 1st Lt. Troy Smith, from Charlotte, N.C. "It's important to have that interaction."
The students in each class called out a unanimous thank you as the group left one classroom to go to the next.
Hussein said the students were very happy to receive the gifts, and thanked both Iraqi and American forces as they were leaving.
"They are so happy," she said. "Thank you. You are welcome here any time."