Friday, December 5, 2003

Santa comes early to Iraqi schools with donation of books

Santa arrived early in the Middle Eas tthis year, bringing 50,000 surplus Fulton textbooks to Iraqi schools. The gifts were delivered ­ not by a jolly fat man in a sleigh ­ but instead by U.S.servicemen driving four, 40-foot cargo trucks filled with educational supplies.

The books were donated in September by the Fulton County School System, but just arrived in Iraq after several months of transport on the road and at sea. The textbooks, which were replaced by newer versions in Fulton, were sent to help the country rebuild its educational system. While many school buildings are in good physical shape, there are few materials available for teaching. And although the textbooks are written in English, many Iraqi children are learning the language and learn through the books’ pictures and graphics.

Lt. Col. Ralph Sliwicki from the 101st Airborne Division, which is on assignment inNorthern Iraq, delivered a truckload of books to Mosul University. The university will oversee distribution to the local schools.

“It is amazing how happy the university staff was to receive these books,” Lt. Col. Sliwicki said in an email to Interim Superintendent Mike Vanairsdale. “I hope your holidays are full of happy moments [such as these].”

The donation has a personal connection for the Superintendent. Prior to his career inFultonCounty, Vanairsdale served 26 years in the U.S. Army, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He performed two tours with the 101st Airborne Division and mentored several young officers, includingLt. Col. Sliwicki. When Vanairsdale received an emailed plea for educational materials from his former colleague, he enlisted the Board of Education’s help and speedily orchestrated the donation.

“It was important for the school system to do the right thing ­ to help these children get access to books and other instructional materials,” Vanairsdale said. “This was an opportunity to helpIraq rebuild its educational infrastructure and to give these children exposure to information, ideas, and a culture that they never before knew.”