The Community Service Club at HFC will be hosting a bake sale April 15th in Building G (Health Careers Education Center) to aid the “Saving the Children Foundation” in Iraq. The organization “has distributed hygiene kits, jerry cans, shelter kits and biscuit packs in some of the worst affected areas” (savethechildren.org). It has kept 5,975 children out of harm’s way, and has given 42,256 children an opportunity to learn in a country where, in the Northern parts, a half million youths do not have a school to turn to (savethechildren.org).

As such, the Community Service Club will attempt to reach out with its bake sales. As Hawra Alhowaishy, president of the club said, “I think it is important because they’re our future. There’s a lot of help in Iraq, but it’s not enough.” Intervarsity club is also helping out, encouraging a sense of partnership from a number of backgrounds for this cause.

“Save the Children” is not only aiding young ones, but is going beyond that, it is helping parents feed them sustainably. This is shown by the fact that 227 parents have received “support to start businesses, improve farming practices and invest in their children’s futures” (savethechildren.org). Such may allow for a more reliable means of -aid in the long-term, giving individuals another outlet to help their families and create a more secure future.

After learning about the event, Halimah Amatullah, editor-in-chief said, “This will be a great thing to participate in because a lot of people don’t know about what’s going on in Iraq. The attention the Middle East is currently receiving does not have much to do with the lives of these poor children.”

According to unicef.org, the consequences of violence have left 5.2 million people in need of assistance. “As of December 2014, more than 2.2 million Iraqis are internally displaced (half of them children), 1.5 million host community members are vulnerable, and 1.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance remain inaccessible in areas under the control of armed groups,” (unicef.org) which makes any help offered have significant weight.

Adam Beydoun, a student at HFC said, “I can’t wait to go. This is such a great cause, especially since it’s helping children, the individuals who will grow up to become leaders within their communities. I’m convinced that any small step towards aiding others is still something, it’s still significant.”