Stories like this are why I started the Newsvine group Operation: Hearts and Minds:

Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kimberly A. Green.

Coalition forces of the Green Zone Committee hosted a day of fun for Iraqi boys and girls from Baghdad, Dec. 29.

The children participated in small sessions of learning to tie knots, carve soap statues and make sit-upon pillows in bright colors. Between sessions, the children and Coalition forces practiced their soccer skills.

“I like coming to learn new things,” said Sa’naa, a young girl participating in the knot tying session. “I have never tied a knot before.”

This is a very important mission. It may seem like something small and insignificant, but this is a counterterrorism mission of a different sort.

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