BASRAH, Iraq – Stable society depends on a variety of non-governmental institutions to employ and educate its citizens and to add meaning to their lives.
Under the former regime, many elements of civil society were neglected in Iraq, including the handicapped. Upon hearing of the needs of the Basrah Blind Association, the Provincial Reconstruction Team reached out to learn how the United States might help.
“It’s an honor to meet Americans,” said BBA President Surror Yousif Nasar when meeting representatives of the Basrah PRT. “I have always understood the United States is a country that cares about all segments of society.”
Nasar, who is blind and leading advocate for BBA in Basrah Province, teaches social studies in the Basrah school system.
Despite the many needs of BBA, it receives no support from the central or local government. Many BBA members, Nasar explained, have never learned to use the Braille method to read and write.
For others, there is new voice software that enables computers to talk. With this technology, Nasar said, BBA members could email and surf the Internet.
The Basrah PRT turned to the U.S. embassy to fund equipment and training to help BBA. The request was approved in record time, and the first class of 25 students graduated the last week of November from the 18-day BBA course and 50 more members are slated for training in the next two months.
The PRT is encouraging the provincial government, private sector and religious institutions to take a leadership role in supporting groups like BBA in the future.
