DYING FOR PEACE: OUR SOLDIERS IN KABUL YV Introduction

Shortly before daybreak, on a cold strapped to his torso jumped onto a Focus January morning, Michael Barker made Canadian vehicle and detonated the ’s military his way to the home of a family in his explosives, killing Murphy and an effort in Kabul, , has parish in Conception Harbour, New- Afghan civilian. Murphy was part of a been referred to as foundland. As a military chaplain and two-vehicle patrol heading to meet the our most danger- parish priest, Barker was charged with mayor of Kabul. The Taliban immedi- ous mission since the responsibility of telling Norman and ately claimed responsibility for the the Korean War. Alice Murphy that their son, Jamie, had attack. Initially, Canadian forces be- On the heels of the been killed while serving in Kabul, lieved the attack might have been an act death of Corporal Jamie Murphy, Afghanistan. They had been counting of retaliation after Canadian troops had many are begin- down the days—just nine to go—before helped Kabul police carry out a drug ning to agree with Jamie would be out of Kabul and on his raid the previous week. About a week this perspective and way home. Barker delivered his mes- after the suicide bombing, a Taliban to wonder if the sage—unwittingly shattering a family’s spokesperson informed a French news mission is worth the costs. sense of hope and peace—and prepared agency that the bombing had been them for their son’s funeral. War in a carried out by a Canadian. According to far-off land had taken their son away the report, Abdullah Kadr, the son of YV Sections from them. Ahmed Said Kadr (an Al Qaeda opera- marked with this Murphy’s death came on the eve of tive, according to the Canadian govern- symbol indicate the changing of the guard in Afghani- ment), detonated the bomb in retaliation content suitable for stan. The first six-month rotation had for the killing of his father in . younger viewers. proven to be quite successful. Canadian Some members of the Kadr family live forces were able to establish ties with in the Toronto area. Minister of De- the community in Kabul and put them- fence David Pratt encouraged Canadi- selves into a leadership position in ans to take the news with “a grain of NATO’s International Security Assis- salt” until authorities could get to the tance Force (ISAF). Indeed, by the end bottom of the allegation. of Rotation “0” two Canadians assumed The death of Jamie Murphy set off a key command positions with ISAF. fresh wave of controversy on the Cana- Lieutenant- Richard Hillier dian political landscape. Once again, became commander of ISAF forces, the safety and effectiveness of the Iltis with Major-General was thrown into question. The Iltis, an taking on the responsibilities of deputy open-aired vehicle, was the primary commander. patrol vehicle used by Canadians in However, the initial six months of Kabul. Both tragedies in Afghanistan resulted in several came while our soldiers were travelling casualties. Early on, tragedy struck in them. People started to pose some when two Canadians died after their difficult questions: Iltis vehicle struck a landmine. Some • If the soldiers who struck the believe the device was planted just landmine in August 2003 had been hours before the vehicle drove through riding in a Humvee equipped with the area. Then Jamie Murphy was killed blast protection instead of an Iltis, when a suicide attacker with explosives would they have lived?

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 6 • If Jamie Murphy had been in an Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen vehicles Further Research enclosed Land Rover, would the on order for the Canadian Forces (100 To learn more suicide bomber have been able to are slated to arrive in Afghanistan about NATO and ISAF visit mount the Canadian vehicle and starting in February and March 2004) www.otan..int/ detonate his explosives? might have saved the lives of the sol- home.htm. Canadian soldiers serving in Afghani- diers who have died thus far in Opera- stan have mixed feelings about the Iltis. tion Athena. On the one hand, they like the idea of Despite the controversy relating to Quote “presence patrols” through the streets of Canada’s presence in Afghanistan, both “The attack on Kabul and “dismount patrols” where the military and politicians stand reso- these soldiers was a they are able to interact with Afghan lute in their commitment to finish the shameful act, but it job they started. Prime Minister Paul will not detract civilians. An open-aired vehicle like the from our commit- Iltis suggests openness. Thus, locals Martin reaffirmed this position. “We ment to help might be more inclined to see the will not forget the sacrifices these Afghanistan build a Canadians as partners in the reconstruc- soldiers have made to make Canada and better and more tion of the city as opposed to an occu- the world a safer place” (Toronto Star hopeful future.” January 28, 2004). With the second — Jaap de Hoop pying army. The commanders of Opera- Scheffer, NATO tion Athena also say that bigger troop rotation on the ground in Af- Secretary-General, armoured vehicles can’t negotiate the ghanistan, and a commitment to keep a Toronto Star, narrow streets of Kabul with the ease presence of 500 soldiers after that January 28, 2004 and effectiveness of the Iltis. On the rotation ends, it appears that the Cana- other hand, some speculate that a more dian military is in for the long haul. heavily armoured vehicle, like the

Questions 1. What tragedies occurred during the first six months of Operation Athena?

2. Who was Abdullah Kadr? Why did his name surface in relation to the death of Jamie Murphy?

3. What evidence is there that Canadian soldiers play an important role in Afghanistan?

4. Based on the information provided, do you think the Iltis is a suitable vehicle for Canada’s mission in Afghanistan?

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 7 DYING FOR PEACE: OUR SOLDIERS IN KABUL YV Video Review

1. What happened to Corporal Jamie Murphy? Answer the ques- tions on this page while watching the video. 2. How many days did Murphy have left in his tour before the incident? ____

3. What is the name of Canada’s base in Kabul? ______Quote “There’s certainly 4. Describe the streets of Kabul. no early exit strate- gies out of Af- ghanistan.” — Canadian defence minister David 5. What does Major Andrew Sedunich mean when he says Canada does not Pratt, Toronto Star, want to be an occupational force in Afghanistan? February 7, 2004

6. What is the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)?

7. How many soldiers are serving under ISAF commander Lieutenant-General ? ______

8. What do you think of Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier’s perspective on leading ISAF troops in Kabul?

9. Who is Canada’s ambassador to Afghanistan? ______

10. According to the ambassador, what is Canada’s mission in Afghanistan?

11. What is Jane Maklohone doing for the women of Afghanistan?

12. What is the Sparks Academy? How is it helping children?

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 8 DYING FOR PEACE: OUR SOLDIERS IN KABUL YV Canadian Leaders in Afghanistan

Canadians hold a number of leadership • Improve the capability of Afghan positions in the Afghan capital of police and armed forces Kabul. Not only do Canadians make up • Make sure troops are protected and the largest contingent of soldiers— the situation in Kabul improves for the 2000 of ISAF’s 5 500-person force— citizenship they also hold several key command posts. Two of these military leaders are Major-General Andrew Leslie profiled below as is Canada’s first In his early years, Andrew Leslie ambassador to Afghanistan. earned his education in Canada, the , France, , and Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier Switzerland. Once he joined the mili- Rick Hillier was born in Newfoundland tary he demonstrated natural leadership and has been a long-standing member ability and proved indispensable in the of Canada’s military. After graduating combat arms units to which he be- from Memorial University of New- longed. Leslie’s career gained momen- foundland and completing his armour tum in 1995 when he was promoted to officer classification training, Hillier colonel and was sent to serve in a was posted to a base in Petawawa, leadership role in the Balkans. Eventu- . Eventually, he was assigned to ally, he earned the Meritorious Service the Royal Canadian Dragoons, with Medal for his actions under fire in the whom he has served ever since. He has Balkans campaign. After returning to commanded troops at the platoon and Canada, Leslie assumed several leader- division level. He has also been a staff ship roles within the Canadian military officer at Army Headquarters in on the home front. He also proved his Montreal as well as the National De- worth domestically in fence Headquarters in . He has efforts during the Manitoba floods of experience in roles across Canada and 1997 and the ice storm in Eastern the United States, as well as in Europe. Canada in 1998. Most notably Hillier has served the Leslie is well trained in peace support and NATO in the operational tactics; he received training former Yugoslavia. at the Vienna Seminar of the Interna- Recently, Hillier was appointed tional Peace Academy. By the time Assistant Chief of Land Staff and later Canada committed to a military pres- Chief of Land Staff in Canada. Then, in ence in Afghanistan, Leslie proved to February 2004, Hillier assumed com- be a logical choice for leadership in mand of the International Security Kabul. Currently he is the Canadian Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul, commander, Task Force Kabul and Afghanistan. As commander of ISAF, it deputy commander of ISAF. is Hillier’s responsibility to: • Ensure a safe and secure environment Source: NATO/ISAF — around Kabul www.afnorth.nato.int/ISAF/structure/ • Reconstitute authority in Kabul structure_whoswho.htm

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 9 Christopher Alexander • To construct a viable political and Christopher Alexander became diplomatic relationship with the new Canada’s first-ever ambassador to government of Afghanistan Afghanistan, in July 2003. At the age of Alexander takes the job very seri- 35, he is one of Canada’s youngest ously. He meets regularly with promi- ambassadors. However, Alexander nent figures in the Kabul community. brings a surprising wealth of diplomatic He works closely with the Canadian experience to this critical diplomatic military based outside Camp Julien. On enterprise. Since joining the Foreign occasion he even takes part in patrols Service in 1991, he has served as assis- with troops. In short, he is reading the tant to the deputy minister of foreign political landscape and positioning affairs and the deputy director in the Canada to play a prominent role in the Eastern Europe division. Once posted to future of Afghanistan. Kabul, he was charged with three primary responsibilities: Source: CBC News, www.cbc.ca/news/ • To co-ordinate Canada’s military background/world/alexander.html; presence in Kabul Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, www.dfait- • To administer aid packages flowing maeci.gc.ca/canada-magazine/02-title- into Afghanistan from Canada en.asp

Analysis 1. Several specific responsibilities are listed for ISAF Commander Rick Hillier and Canadian Ambassador Christopher Alexander. Which responsibilities do you think will be most challenging for each man?

2. Which accomplishment do you think best prepared Andrew Leslie for action in Kabul?

3. What skills do you think would be most needed for Canadians serving in a war-torn nation such as Afghanistan?

4. Would you be willing to work in a position such as those described in this story? Why? Why not?

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 10 DYING FOR PEACE: OUR SOLDIERS IN KABUL YV Casualties of War in Afghanistan

The ongoing struggle in Afghanistan deaths came as a result of friendly-fire has resulted in the deaths of several incidents (Jessica Guynn, April 7, 2003, young Canadians. Canada has mourned www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/ these soldiers and worried about future 2003/030407-iraq02.htm). casualties. Outcome Incident 1: Friendly Fire The U.S. pilots eventually escaped What happened? manslaughter charges from the U.S. On April 17, 2002, during Operation military. One received a reprimand and Apollo, an American F-16 jet dropped a the other a court martial. 250-kilogram bomb on Canadian sol- diers taking part in night training near Incident 2: Landmine Legacy Kandahar. Tragically, the bomb killed What happened? four Canadians and injured eight others. Tragedy struck two months into The pilots of the F-16 thought they Operation Athena, Canada’s contribu- were being attacked by the troops on tion to NATO’s ISAF forces in Kabul. the ground. Despite receiving orders not Five Canadians, in two open-air ve- to fire, they did so anyway, claiming hicles, were on a routine patrol about self-defence. Minutes later they learned three and a half kilometres from they had bombed their own allies. Canada’s base at Camp Julien. One of the vehicles struck a landmine, killing Casualties two men and injuring three others. All Four killed, eight wounded five soldiers were members of the Dead: Sgt. Marc Léger, Cpl. Ainsworth Royal Canadian Regiment, 3rd Battal- Dyer, Pte. Richard Green, Pte. Nathan ion, based in Petawawa, Ontario. The Smith road had been deemed safe by engi- Wounded: Sgt. Lorne Ford, Cpl. René neers less than 24 hours earlier. Investi- Paquette, Cpl. Curtis Hollister, Cpl. gators concluded that one of the Cana- Brett Perry, Pte. Norman Link, Cpl. dian vehicles ran over a landmine that Brian Decaire, Master Cpl. Stanley P. had probably been combined with two Clark, Cpl. Shane Brennan other mines. The explosion of the one mine set off a chain reaction, sending Warnings the vehicle flying and leaving a giant Canadian soldiers took every reason- crater. able precaution to avoid any kind of accidental or friendly-fire incident. Casualties Nonetheless, the U.S. pilots ignored Two killed, three wounded their orders and attacked the Canadians Dead: Sgt. Robert Short and Cpl. in “self-defence.” The only possible Robbie Beerenfenger lesson the Canadians could extract from Wounded: Master Cpl. Jason Hamilton, the incident could be a lesson already Cpl. Thomas Stirling, and Cpl. learned by U.S. troops in the 1991 Gulf Cameron Laidlaw War, where 24 per cent of U.S. troop

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 11 Warnings Casualties Update • The Red Cross recorded 1 286 One soldier killed, one civilian killed, In late February, landmine deaths in Afghanistan in three soldiers injured Canadian forces in Afghanistan 2002. Dead: Cpl. Jamie Murphy; Abdul launched Opera- • Experts estimate there are millions of Qadir, an Afghan civilian tion Whirlwind and landmines and unexploded ordnance Injured: Lt. Jason Feyko, Cpl. Jeremy believed they had (UXO) scattered throughout the MacDonald, Cpl. Richard Newman; captured the man eight civilians were also injured responsible for the country. deaths of Canadi- • According to the United Nations, 27 ans Short and of Afghanistan’s 29 provinces were Warnings Beerenfenger. They affected by landmine tragedies in Just weeks before the attack on Murphy also seized a large 2002. and his comrades, Canadian Press cache of weapons reported that between 60 and 120 and explosives. Source: The Globe and Mail, October 3, 2003 suicide bombers had entered Kabul. They were preparing a wave of attacks on ISAF forces on behalf of the Taliban Did you know . . . Outcome and Al Qaeda.(Toronto Star, December The Red Cross Canadians are actively engaged in the estimates that close location and removal of landmines in 30, 2003). Suicide bombers had also to 100 people are Afghanistan. killed four Germans in June, four Kabul injured or killed by security officers in December, and a landmines in Incident 3: The Taliban British soldier just days after the attack Afghanistan each on the Canadians. month? Canada is Fights Back to contribute What happened? $10-million to the Outcome $60-million interna- Jamie Murphy was killed when a Canadians have remained resolute in tional effort in suicide bomber jumped onto a Canadian their commitment to their work in 2004 to remove vehicle and detonated the explosives he Kabul. Soldiers on patrol are trying to landmines in was wearing, taking his own life as well Afghanistan? avoid travelling at slow speeds while on as Murphy’s and that of an Afghan “presence patrols” and are attempting to civilian. Murphy was part of a two- be extra vigilant when it comes to vehicle patrol heading to meet the people approaching their vehicles. mayor of Kabul.

Activity Select one of the incidents listed above. Write a news story based on the infor- mation provided for the incident.

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 12 DYING FOR PEACE: OUR SOLDIERS IN KABUL YV The Case of the Kadr Family

An already grief-stricken nation was government feels it is unlikely that Update dealt a second shocking blow when Abdullah Kadr was the suicide bomber. In early March news emerging from Afghanistan Ahmed and Abdullah Kadr are not 2004, international experts were indicated that Corporal Jamie Murphy the only members of the family to completing DNA may have been killed by a fellow receive intense attention from the testing to deter- Canadian. A Taliban spokesperson Canadian government and the interna- mine the identity informed the Agence France-Presse that tional media. One other family member, of Jamie Murphy’s the suicide bomber who killed Murphy Omar, was captured by U.S. forces and killer. The Kadr and a civilian was the son of a Canadian remains a detainee in Cuba. Currently, family claimed that they had spoken to citizen who was originally from Egypt. two Canadian lawyers are taking his their son and that The report went on to link the bomber case to the U.S. Supreme Court to fight he could not have to a U.S. detainee in Guantanamo Bay, for his release. Finally, in late 2003, the been the suicide Cuba. Apparently the detainee was the story of Abdurahman Kadr entered the bomber. bomber’s brother. Once Canadian media spotlight. Abdurahman had also authorities and journalists could deci- been a detainee in Cuba and, instead of pher the information in the report, it returning him to Canada at the end of became clear that the Taliban spokes- his detention, he was sent back to person was talking about Abdullah Afghanistan. Kadr’s grandparents made Kadr. Suddenly the spotlight was on the an appeal through the media, claiming Kadr family—a family with ties to the that Abdurahman had left Afghanistan Middle East and to a Toronto and had approached embassies in neighbourhood where some family Pakistan and Turkey, seeking refuge, members still live. only to be turned away by Canadian Canadian authorities claim that authorities. Canada’s Department of Ahmed Said Kadr, Abdullah’s father, Foreign Affairs flatly denied the sug- was an Al Qaeda operative killed by the gestion that they would turn away one Pakistan army in a raid in the fall of of their own citizens but put the diplo- 2003. The elder Kadr was known to matic community on notice to keep an authorities as “Al Kanadi” or, the eye out for Abdurahman Kadr. Days Canadian, and was thought to be an later, he arrived at the Canadian em- associate of Osama bin Laden. Could bassy in Sarajevo. Within hours, he was his eldest son, Abdullah, have been the on a plane headed for Canada. In an man behind the suicide bombing that effort to set the record straight, Kadr resulted in the death of Jamie Murphy? agreed to hold a news conference. The Minister of Defence David Pratt warned news conference revealed some star- Canadians, “You have to keep in mind tling information. Kadr told the gather- that the source here is apparently a ing that, when he was 15 years old, he Taliban member, and we take all of the received training at an Al Qaeda-related information that they provide with a training camp. When pressed on the grain of salt” (The Globe and Mail, kind of training he received, Kadr said, February 5, 2004). Based on accounts “It’s just training, not training to kill provided by the Kadr family and the Americans, just training; to go and fight investigation in Kabul, the Canadian the Northern Alliance. . . . In Afghani-

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 13 stan you know people just go to train. ning to bomb Los Angeles airport Update It’s a common thing that every kid • trained Zacarias Moussaoui, a man on The Kadr family around 15 or that age go and take made the headlines trial for his part in the attacks on the again in March training” (Toronto Star, December 2, United States on September 11, 2001 2004. In an inter- 2003). And that is what Kadr did— • has apparently been visited by Osama view with CBC's receiving training at the notorious bin Laden The National, Khalden camp in the mountains of Abdurahman Kadr eastern Afghanistan. The Khalden Abdurahman Kadr refers to his said that, not only training camp: training as a “waste of my life” and was he trained at • trained Richard Reid, a man from hopes that Canadians will not hold his an Al Qaeda camp, attendance at the camp against him and his father had Britain who plotted to blow up a plane asked him to with explosives in his shoe his family. After all, he was a 15-year- old boy simply doing what his family become a suicide • trained Ahmed Ressam, a Canadian bomber. The expected of him. National also resident who was convicted of plan- tracked down Abdullah Kadr in Questions Pakistan, confirm- 1. In point form, identify and explain the importance of Ahmed Said Kadr, ing that he was not Abdullah Kadr, Omar Kadr, and Abdurahman Kadr. the suicide bomber responsible for the killing of Jamie Murphy. It appears that Defence Minister David Pratt’s advice to take claims made by the Taliban “with a grain of 2. Imagine you are a journalist attending the conference held by salt” was well Abdurahman Kadr. What questions would you have asked? founded. It appears that the Kadr family legacy is continuing to evolve.

3. Explain your personal reaction to the information Abdurahman Kadr shared with Canadians that day.

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 14 DYING FOR PEACE: OUR SOLDIERS IN KABUL YV Loya Jirga Agrees on Constitution

With the ousting of the Taliban in 2001, working groups to draft the 160-article Further Research the U.S. had put itself in a position to document. Special attention was given to To stay informed dictate the direction of the future Afghan the variety of ethnic groups that make up about current government. The U.S. installed a presi- Afghanistan as well as women’s rights Afghan policies and personalities, dent, , and set about and fundamental civil rights. With this consider visiting establishing a democratic government ambitious agenda in place, it is little the official Afghan for the people of Afghanistan. This wonder the 10 days scheduled for meet- Government Web proved problematic because Afghanistan ings stretched into a 22-day marathon. site at www.afghan had just endured years of warfare and Negotiations were stressful at times, with government.com. was essentially a ship without a captain. the majority Pashtun ethnic group failing Because of this situation, Karzai and his to come to terms with the minority followers called a loya jirga, or grand Tajiks and Uzbeks. assembly, to discuss the future of Af- In the end, compromise led to a new ghanistan and to write a constitution. If constitution that defended minority Afghanistan was going to embrace rights and established fundamental rights democracy, they were going to do so the and freedoms for all the people of Af- Afghan way—through a loya jirga. The ghanistan. Each side agreed to signifi- tradition of loya jirga goes back as far as cant concessions. The most significant 1709, when three Afghan tribes held a amendment came when the delegates secret gathering to plot a rebellion agreed to grant official status to minority against a tyrannical foreign governor. In languages—the most contentious issue a sense, Karzai’s loya jirga sought the of the conference. The new constitution same thing—to replace the rule of the also declared that men and women tyrannical Taliban with a fair and just should be treated equally. At the end of Islamic republic. the process President Karzai declared, The meeting started in December 2003 “There is no winner or loser. Everybody amid tight security. Canadian troops has won, it is everybody’s. It belongs to provided the bulk of the protection for every Afghan” (Toronto Star, January 5, the 500 delegates that included men and 2004). With a constitution in place, Af- women from across Afghanistan and a ghanistan is preparing for June elections. number of people returning from exile. After performing his duties as adviser One of the people involved in the nego- to the interim Afghan government, Omar tiations was Carleton University profes- Zakhilwal greeted the new constitution sor Omar Zakhilwal, who took a leave of with a sense of relief. He expressed hope absence from his job to advise the Karzai that this new democracy would help the government. people of Afghanistan to recover from Karzai called for the formation of 10 decades of war and poverty.

Questions 1. What is a loya jirga? 2. What issues were discussed and debated at the loya jirga? 3. What hope does Omar Zakhilwal have for the people of Afghanistan? 4. How do you see the future of Afghanistan?

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 15 DYING FOR PEACE: OUR SOLDIERS IN KABUL YV Final Activity

Reaching Out to the Chil- Kingston businessman to donate ware- Further Research dren of Afghanistan house space. As the project progressed, To learn more a network of 20 legions was storing about the Royal During a visit to Canadian troops in Canadian Legion Kabul over the Christmas holidays in donations along with the Kingston and its policies and 2003, Governor-General Adrienne warehouse. One mosque in Edmonton programs, visit Clarkson remarked that children of filled 485 boxes with goods. In the end, www.legion.ca. To over 14 tonnes of toys, blankets, cloth- discover other Afghanistan serve as a tremendous example of the human spirit. Despite ing, school supplies, gum, diapers, and actions Canadians other supplies were shipped to Afghani- are taking to losing family members to war and improve the world, living in poverty, the children continue stan. From one simple e-mail from a go to Canadians in to laugh and play in the streets. Based son to a mother, Canadian generosity the World at on what she witnessed, Clarkson re- found its way to the children of Af- www.dfait- marked, “I think the children are enor- ghanistan. Looking back on the effort, maecl.gc.ca/ciw- Russell Storring said, “Me, personally, I cdm/. This site is mously resilient” (Toronto Star, De- designed for teach- cember 31, 2003). Perhaps this is the have so much that I can give. I think ers and students. kind of image and idea that has inspired this is maybe why people respond to it. our troops and people back home to They get to see what it’s like and take the case of the children of Afghani- maybe people say, you know, ‘I stan to heart and to strive to become wouldn’t want to live like that either,’ personally involved in their struggle. so they help where they can.” Source: The Globe and Mail, January 8, Read the following stories of inspiring 2004 efforts by Canadians in Afghanistan. A School of Joy and Hope Toys for Afghanistan Kabul is known as the widows’ capital Master-Corporal Russell Storring, a of the world. After decades of war and signals operator serving in Kabul, e- poverty, many women are left to raise mailed a simple message home to his children on their own. Based on this sad mother. “Mom, these kids have nothing. fact, Roshan Thomas, an optometrist Let’s give these kids some things to from British Columbia, enlisted the smile about.” Storring’s mother, support of her family and set about Heather Atkins, responded with an establishing a school for five- and six- initial shipment of 26 boxes of goods year-olds in Kabul. The Sparks Acad- sent by personal mail. By the time the emy is the only school of its kind in first shipment was sent, news of the Afghanistan. The main goal of the effort had gotten out. Working through school is to instill a love of learning and the Tamworth Royal Canadian Legion play in the hearts and minds of young near Napanee, Ontario, Atkins wit- students. Thomas says the students nessed what has been called “snowball- were initially reluctant to embrace the ing generosity.” Close to 30 schools joy of play. Quite simply, many chil- became involved in the collection of dren did not know how to play or have donations, with the legion hall eventu- fun. Thomas structured her curriculum ally running out of space to store the around bringing these children out of toys and other items. This prompted a themselves, restoring their innocence,

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 16 and instilling a sense of curiosity and test and knit sweaters for the students of wonder. According to Thomas, her the town of Kholm. Located in northern school and education in general promise Afghanistan, Kholm is found near the to help these children eventually break Uzbekistan border. In all, DeRuiter the cycle of perpetual poverty. made 36 sweaters. The compassionate Source: Peter Mansbridge, CBC — cargo was shipped to Afghanistan by a www.cbc.ca/news/background/world/ relief organization named Samaritan’s school/html Purse, where the sweaters were fitted onto 20 kindergarten students at the Keeping the Children Warm in town school. The remainder of the the Afghan Mountains sweaters were sent to the town hospital. After reading about children in the When DeRuiter was asked about her act northern Afghan mountain region of generosity, she replied, “I have been attending school without heat, Ann knitting since I was five years old. I just DeRuiter, a 77-year-old grandmother thought I could use that to bring some from Grunthal, Manitoba, was inspired warmth to the children.” to action. An accomplished knitter, Source: Toronto Star, December 16, DeRuiter decided to put her skills to the 2003 Activity In groups of four, work on the following task.

In what other ways can Canadians help the children of Afghanistan? Brainstorm a number of ideas and then create a class campaign around one of your propos- als to help support Canada’s efforts in Afghanistan.

Possible elements of your class campaign: • Posters promoting your idea • An information brochure explaining your idea • A class presentation to launch your campaign • A letter to be delivered to your local MP to garner support for your idea

Notes

CBC News in Review • March 2004 • Page 17