Last year Operation Iraqi Children became Operation International Children (OIC), to reflect the program’s expansion to serve children in areas all around the world. In early January, OIC supplies made their way to Kenya and were distributed to children by a U.S. Military Civil Affairs team. A member of the Civil Affairs team sent an excerpt from a report on the distribution:
A story about the OIC supply distribution ran in The Daily Nation, one of the largest newspapers in Kenya
Civil Affairs Team 2 (CAT 2) visited Rukuini School to deliver school supplies donated by People to People International. While on site, the school had all students lined up. In addition, present were parents of the students, members of the PTA, Board of Governor, District Education Office, village elders (both Kikuyu and Kalenjin reps), teachers, religious leaders and local media.
The event went very well. The team was received with open arms and several expressions of gratitude. We set it up so that the parents and school officials handed out the packets to the secondary school students, who then passed them out to the primary school students. It was a big event for the community. They wanted to get everybody involved.
They gave several speeches to the media, where they took the opportunity to reinforce their peace and reconciliation efforts.The CAT 2 team leader was interview by several members of the media and emphasized our commitment to assist with peace and reconciliation, as well as pointed out that children are the future and as long as they can live and work together as a community, free from violence and fear, they will grow prosper and their future will be brighter.
