HW40: The Real Baghdad
The video that I have watched was from the series Alive In Baghdad. The title of the video was called “Challenges at a Girl’s School in Baghdad, and was published May 21st, 2007. The video contained children and teachers being interviewed. The school was called Al-Safina Middle School and was located in Adhamiya but served to many girls all over Baghdad. One problem in the school is the continuing violence that is making the situation for students more challenging, but even despite that the students are determined to continue their education. One child said that the Americans are always searching around the school and the area. One teacher said that this is not just a problem at this particular school it is a problem at every school around the area.
Video: http://aliveinbaghdad.org/2007/05/21/challenges-at-a-girls-school-in-baghdad/
It is hard for the staff to get to school and even if they do that are endangering them. Many of the students miss many days and it is hard to catch them up. When the whole town is under search it is hard to get to school because of all the road blocks, checkpoints, and traffic. One student said she was used to all the shootings that are around her on her way to school. They featured on of the teachers and told the viewers that there has also been a decrease in the school systems and many of the student’s parents are worried of their child traveling to school and want them to quit because of all the dangers around them. It is also very stressful, so it is hard for the students to raise their grade because of all the violence outside the classroom. She also says it is hard to ignore what is happening, and they say they never know what is going to happen tomorrow. The background of the video was the students in the classroom. The classroom did not seem as nice as they are here in America. There are not as many objects in the classroom. It also showed the streets, which were dirty and a lot of the buildings were torn down. I think that this is a terrible thing that the students have to suffer from getting the education that they need. I think it is crazy that it is so dangerous just to go to school every morning. I have learned what is it like over in Baghdad because I did not know that the war was effecting everyone. The most memorable clip in the video was when the interviewer asked one of the students if they were used to the shooting and she said yes. This is a really moving video and I would recommend watching it.
