Many servicemembers who served in Iraq are eager to engage in building a positive partnership with the people of that country.

Last week at Phillips Academy,  the U.S. Cultural Affairs Office in Baghdad collaborated with Phillips to celebrate “Non Sibi Day” on October 6. “Non Sibi” – meaning “Not for Oneself” – is the school’s motto. Non Sibi Day is a day of global service at Phillips Academy, one of the top college-preparatory schools in the United States located in Andover, Massachusetts. Phillips Academy alumni, current students and parents representing the school’s diverse community gathered to support Baghdadi school kids.

The Harvard Club of Andover and Parents of Students at Phillips Academy (PSPA) teamed up to collect and donate school backpacks and other supplies to school kids in Baghdad. It was great to see parents and students writing letters to Iraqi kids they have never met!

Volunteers at Phillips Academy collected backpacks to donate to school children in Baghdad, Iraq.

A couple of veterans from the Iraq War were present, and the feedback from those who participated in the project was very positive. The past decade has formed a strong shared history between the U.S. and Iraq. Community and cross-cultural projects that encourage Iraqis and Americans to interact and work with each other can positively impact the future of two nation’s relationship.