A Hard Life...

I've met some interesting people while in the Iraq. Believe it or not there are a lot of locals who work here. In fact many of them actually handle security for private firms throughout the GZ. Every Iraqi I've met has been very kind and polite. The Iraqis speak little English, just a few words, enough to get them through their job requirements. But kindness and sincerity seem to transcend the language barrier. Most of the people doing the dirty work (sweeping, cleaning, laundry, basic maintenance, etc) are Iraqis and most of them are young men who are trying to save a few dollars for their families. Despite their age (late teens to early twenties) they are very polite and respectful. They exhibit none of the typical immature bravado and posturing that most young men do. I don't know whether this is a cultural thing or because life affords them so little options that they don't have the luxury of adolescent arrogance. They work all day in the sun then offer me water when I walk by. It's humbling. Where I work we have two ladies who come in and clean all day, six days a week. One is Christian, the other Muslim and they are very good friends. I have befriended both of them and we are trying to teach each other our native languages. They are better students then I am. One of these ladies, Hifia, is a single mother of three teenagers. She is raising them on her own in a war torn city. Her kids cannot go to school because it is too dangerous. She risks her life every day just walking to and from work. If she is seen cooperating with the Multi-National Forces who occupy the Green Zone she would likely be killed yet she comes here every day because she has to provide for her family. I am constantly surprised by Hifia because despite the conditions she's forced to live in she still finds a way to joke and laugh with me. I don't know what the future holds for her and her kids but I hope very much that it will be better then their life is now.