Iraqi Students Help with Joplin Clean Up
Students from the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program clean debris from a damaged home in Joplin
The 25 students taking part in the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program at the University of Arkansas spent most of their first week in the classroom, beginning to learn about the concepts of social entrepreneurship, leadership and community development.
Sunday, July 18 they took what they were learning into the real world, traveling to Joplin, Mo. to experience the idea of volunteerism as a “hands on” activity.
The students are at the university as part of a four week program sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The program is administered nationally by World Learning, a non-profit agency based in Washington, D.C. The Spring International Language Center at the university was awarded the grant to host the program in Fayetteville.
The students traveled to Joplin eight weeks after a tornado devastated the city.They arrived in the morning at the volunteer tents organized by Americorps, were dispatched to one of the heavily damaged neighborhoods and spent the day hauling debris from one damaged home and yard.
The work had a definite impact on the students.
“It's an honor to be here and helping them just rebuild the city and actually I felt so happy,” Shadan Hameed told a reporter from television station KOAM. “My friends are feeling the same way I was feeling. They forgot about enjoying and having fun in America and their hearts just went and focused on helping and rebuilding this place.”
“In Islamic tradition we like to help other people. Because if you see other people happy we ourselves will be happy,” added Hassan Ameo.
Badr Kamooma told a television reporter from KNWA he saw a parallel to his own country. >“The damage in Iraq it happened because of the war and here it happened because of nature. Unfortunately we don't have this big volunteerism ideas in Iraq, so we're here to develop ideas and work ethic and make it a better community.”
The students will continue in the program at the university through Aug. 8.
Topics
Contacts
Steve Voorhies, manager of media relations
University Relations
479-575-3583,
voorhies@uark.edu
Headlines
Peter Ungar Chosen as Member of the National Academy of Sciences
A distinguished professor of anthropology and director of environmental dynamics, Ungar is the first U of A faculty member to be elected to the prestigious Academy.
Ag Technology Students Visit Greenway Equipment, Learn About Advances in Machinery
Members of the U of A's Agricultural Systems and Technology Club recently spent a day at the Greenway Technology Farm in Newport to learn about advances featured in John Deere tractors and machinery.
College of Education and Health Professions WE CARE Everywhere Campaign Kicks Off This Summer
Retractable scroll banners with the phrase "WE CARE Everywhere" are small enough to fit any suitcase and just waiting for your chance to shine in social media posts throughout the summer.
Staff Senators for 2024-25 Elected
Twelve newly elected staff members will begin serving the U of A staff community for three-year terms beginning July 1 on the university's Staff Senate.
Matlock Briefs Congressional Staff Regarding Crop Sustainability Research
Professor Marty Matlock briefed U.S. House of Representative and Senate staff members on research conducted by the U of A regarding the effects of management practices on crop sustainability.