Introduction

A coalition of three non-profit organizations in Calgary, Life for Relief and Development (Life), Canada Democracy and International Law (CANDIL) and the International Society for Peace and Human Rights (ISPHR) are sponsoring the rehabilitation of a community in Iraq. Life is a registered charity in Canada and presently working in Iraq, employing local people in humanitarian work. Its Director is an Iraqi-Canadian, Yarub Al Shiraida, from Edmonton. ISPHR is a registered non-profit organization in Alberta and both it and CANDIL have solid credentials as humanitarian organizations. It should also be noted that all participants in Canada are volunteers: no paid staff.

Life is soliciting support from communities in Canada to match with communities in Iraq that are in dire need of support and rehabilitation. Life identifies communities that have requested assistance, then does an analysis of the needs in cooperation with local professionals; engineers, architects, teachers, doctors etc. Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto are in various stages of ‘adopting’ communities. Life has asked Calgary to ‘adopt’ Jurf Al-Sakhr.

October 21, 2004 update

On September 20 Dr. Yarub Al-Shiraida spoke in Calgary. Dr. Al-Shiraida is the Director of Life for Relief and Development the Humanitarian group that is organizing the Adopt a town project in Iraq that CANDIL is supporting. Dr. Al-Shiraida shared with us how Jurf-al-sakr the village Calgary is helping to rebuild is coming along. He emphasized the villagers appreciation for our support and said they are all working very hard to help rebuild the clinic and are excited to finish it so they can have a wonderful facility right in their community. He also talked about some of the difficulties they encounter under the occupation but he was very positive that one day Iraq would be a strong and vibrant country again.

On October 10 Dr. David Swann, Julie Hrdlicka, Lynn Foster and Ash Khan of the Adopt- A-Town project met with members of the South Mosque in Calgary and talked about the project and why it was so important for all Calgarians, including those from the Muslim community to get involved and support it. When the meeting was over there was a decision that the Muslim Council in Calgary would make a donation and that during Ramadan they would invite us in again to talk and hopefully get more individuals interested in donating to the project. We are very grateful to all that have donated to the project so far.

If you are interested in donating or having us come in and speak on the project please contact Julie at CANDIL 270-9669 or

Jurf Al-Sakhr Community Project

Jurf Al-Sakhr is a district located approximately 50 km southwest of Baghdad. The main village, Albage Aljanubi has about 3000 people, while with the surrounding villages, the population of the district and service area is apprx 40,000. The Imam of Jurf Al Sakhr approached Life for Relief & Development, and, in consultation, they decided to establish an integrated community project. The community does not have a medical clinic. A generous individual started to build a modern clinic but ran out of money so the project was left incomplete. The town has only an elementary school. Boys, after finishing elementary school, may attend secondary schools in other nearby villages, whereas girls usually stay at home without further education. The only water treatment plant that supplies the community cannot provide water to more than 1/3 of the population and then only with poor quality water. The plant is unable to be repaired and needs to be replaced with a new compact unit, plus extended so that it can serve the entire community.

The following needs have been identified and prioritized by the community: (Please note that all figures are in U.S. dollars.)

The Medical Clinic

1. Finish building the existing clinic. $60,000 including an electric generator and air conditioners.
2. Supply furniture and appliances. $5,000.
   
3. Supply the clinic with examining chairs, beds, medical equipment and instruments. $50,000. Many of the items could be donated as refurbished second hand items.
   

The water treatment plant
A 50 m3/hour capacity plant needs to be installed to supply the entire village. The rough estimate of the cost of the plant is $50,000. It is also necessary to add an electric generator to this plant, at $10,000, as the electricity in the village is not consistent.

A mid size secondary school for girls
This school will also attract students from the surrounding villages and give new life to the long neglected girls in this community. $115,000. This cost includes furniture and student desks.

Playgrounds for soccer and volleyball
Including sport facilities: $7,000.

Community Centre
This consists of training and exercise rooms primarily for women and youth, kitchen and lounge, plus meeting rooms. $68,000 including furniture, equipment and a small electric generator.

This is a total of $365,000. It will, of course, be done in stages but we are confident that the citizens of Calgary will rise to the challenge.

How Can You Help?

We need funds, so if you can donate, please do. Donations to Life are tax deductible. We are seeking matching funds from the provincial and federal governments, so every dollar we raise can translate into $2 or $3 sent. We need volunteers to work on fundraising and publicity events.

Please contact Julie at (403) 270-9669 or , alternatively contact Lynn Foster at (403) 202-0638 or .