Donating text books for University of Mosul- please help

Higher education in Iraq is in a world of hurt, due in large part from governmental neglect over decades and recently because the ministry of higher education has been unable to garner the support it needs from the central government. I suppose the neglect of recent times is understandable, given the chaotic situation, severe security problems and incompetent political leaders.

But the Iraqi people place a very high value on education and they struggle forward as best they can under the circumstances. I have a young lady friend who turned 18 in April, lives in Mosul, and just started college at the University of Mosul last week. The libraries at her school are in dire need of recently published textbooks, particularly in engineering and the sciences, but all other disciplines as well. I asked colleague this semester to donate books and I got a good response. Thus far, I have shipped about 150 pounds of books to my friend and she is putting them in the right places. The books are very much appreciated by professors and students.

I encourage anyone who might be inclined to help to join in the effort to get books to the University of Mosul libraries. While shipping to a war zone is problematic, it can be done. If interested, please contact me and I will provide details on how to do it. The professors all speak English and most teach in English, most students read English, so the language is not a problem as long as books aren't culture bound. My friend's blog is at this address...

http://astarfrommosul.blogspot.com/

In fact you can read her comments about the book project here...

http://astarfrommosul.blogspot.com/2006/11/books-for-university-project-update.html

My email is dcline at suddenlink dot net

Please help if you can.