ALICIA YOUNG
Staff Writer
Students for Defense of the Democracies took a major stride toward establishing a coalition between Pepperdine University and two universities in Iraq by collecting used text books and mailing them to Iraqi students in December.
Yarmouk University and University of Diyala, both located in Baquba, Iraq, received textbooks donated by Pepperdine students during the week of finals last semester.
SDD, in partnership with Golden Key Honor Society, set up a table outside of the bookstore where “students who wouldn’t get any money for selling their books back, or who were just kind-hearted,” could donate used books, co-president John Deniston said. The books were then divided between the two clubs depending on the subject matter of the books and then sent to Iraq through either the SDD or the Golden Key Honor Society.
In coordination with Foundation for Defense of Democracies, SDD sent about 150 books at more than 300 pounds worth of books through the Armed Forces postal service that arrived at the two Iraqi universities by January of 2006.
Yarmouk University and University of Diyala are two schools that have experienced hardship and lack of funding during the Saddam Hussein era. Much of the schools’ buildings remain damaged from insurgents’ fire.
“The schools are now being rebuilt and renovated,” Deniston said. “However, basic supplies and equipment are still required.”
That’s where Pepperdine’s used textbooks became involved.
Deniston, along with his co-president Kevin Mills, were inspired to contribute to these colleges after they participated in a fellowship program through FDD. They spent time in Israel, taking counter-terrorism courses at the Tel-Aviv University. After their experience, Deniston and Mills said they were inspired to start their own club, SDD.
Additionally, it was through their participation in FDD’s program that the two juniors met Sgt. John Skelly. Skelly served as a public affairs officer in Baquba and, having observed the lack of attention Iraq’s universities were receiving, he brought the issue to the attention of Deniston and Mills.
Once SDD heard of the need, it was only a matter of time before eager Pepperdine students heavy-laden with books offered their assistance.
“It really wasn’t an inconvenience to donate my math book,” freshman Kelsey Dorr said. “I won’t need it for any of my other math classes, and I know it is going to be better appreciated where it went.”
Along with math books, students also donated their science, history, literature, education and English texts.
And Pepperdine is not the only university to contribute to schools in Baquba. Colleges across the United States are getting involved, including Columbia University and the University of New York. Even at Pepperdine, book donations are not where the contributions stop. Other programs SDD has orchestrated include a Sept. 11 remembrance, documentary screenings and a Baghdad bracelet sale.
“I see the situation in Iraq as an opportunity to reach out,” Mills said. “Political affiliation doesn’t matter; we can still send a message of collaboration.”
Because the program’s success, as well as the ongoing need in Baquba, SDD plans to collect books at the end of each semester to give to Iraqi universities in need.
04-06-2006