Overview for exchange with 4-H Leaders from Iraq to Florida 4-H "Being Respectful 4-H Hosts"

1. Hosting our 4-H Iraq Guests
BE A RESPECTFUL 4-H HOST

2. THANK YOU! SHUKRAN
A Look at 4-H in Iraq…growing a
program!
Overview of Iraq Culture
Do’s & Don’ts
Summary

3. 4-H IN IRAQ
Founded 2009 –
USDA Worker
Mary Kerstetter, a
former 4-H’er and
volunteer from
Pennsylvannia
Mary Kerstetter (left), sits next to an Iraqi government
official, Salam Singer, at the country’s first National 4-H
Conference held in Baghdad in May.

4. 4-H IN IRAQ
It started with sheep…2 clubs and grew with boys, girls and
adult volunteers from many careers.
Our own former Hardee County Ag Agent and County
Director
Lockie Gary assisted Mary with training when he was
working in Iraq for 6 months.
Lockie got former State 4-H Leader Dr. Marilyn Norman to
support the new program with 4-H materials and
supplies.
December 2010 – 25 4-H Clubs; Iraqi 4-H website established
May 2011 –1st National 4-H Conference was held in Baghdad
50 4-H’ers attended with official delegates
Official 4-H Iraq 4-H Flag presented and
4-H clover
Currently, 42 4-H Clubs with 1,100 members ( boys & girls)

5. 4-H IN IRAQ http://www.incyc4h.org/

6. IRAQ CULTURE
Several ETHNIC GROUPS – 2 Largest
are:
• Arabs ( 18.5 million)
•Kurds (5 million)
Know that Iraqis practice the Islam religion.
It's based on 5 pillars—
1. faith,
2. prayers,
3. alms and charity,
4. fasting and
5. pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Koran is their holy book and they
worship in a Mosque.
Iraqi women usually wear a head
scarf, even if they're dressed in Western
clothing. It's a show of respect.

7. IRAQ CULTURE
Greeting our guests:
Be polite and shake the male hand neither too firm or meekly
Wait for females to extend a hand to you and then lightly shake their
hand.
Address our guests by Mr. or Mrs. with their family name.
Extend your RIGHT hand only – left hand is taboo.
Respect and Trust:
Socialize first with beverages before jumping into business
Iraq men do not share the same concept as Americans on ―personal
space‖ – it is disrespectful to step back from an Iraq male.
Iraq women are the exception, you should not stand close, touch or
stare at the women.
Do not let your sole of your shoe be seen when you sit– it is very
insulting.

8. IRAQ CULTURE
Gestures:
Right hand over heart
Right hand, palm up, finger tips touching
Quick upward head snap with tongue click
Gesture with full hand NEVER one finger
Not acceptable: thumbs up, OK – not the same meaning as in USA
Talking with guests:
Arabic is their main language
Always speak TO the guest
– speak slowly, use simple words, and stop after each point
or question, so the translator can translate.
Do NOT speak louder
Smiling is international – so do much of that!
Have a small notebook with a pencil handy:
drawings also help

9. IRAQ CULTURE
Understanding Iraqi Names:
Women do not take their husband’s name
Parents add a title before their name by taking the name of their 1st son
When including their family heritage in their name:
Women add :bint – meaning daughter of
Men add: ibn or bin – meaning son of
Adults have
Title First Name Birthplace or From the
Occupation Family
Abu Yusuf Muhammed Al-Tikriti Al-Sayf
Father of Yusuf his name birthplace family name
Umm Yusuf Rahil bint Hassan ibn Ibrahim Al-Saddaf
Mother of Yusuf her name family heritage family name

10. IRAQ CULTURE
Agriculture:
Livestock Estimates:
Cattle- 2.5 million
Buffalo- 285 thousand
Sheep- 7 million
Goats- 1.5 million

11. IRAQ CULTURE
Wheat and barley are most important agricultural crops.
Sheep and goats are tended by nomadic and semi-nomadic groups.
Cattle production is mainly dairy at the household production level.
Milk processing is hampered by electricity shortages and security
concerns.

12. DO’S & DON’TS
DO… DO NOT…..
relax and smile – they are also talk about the war, religion or
hesitant about you! politics
wear a 4-H shirt; long pants point with one finger
address guests as Mr. or Mrs. use your left hand in giving or
with greeting
their family name Praise their possessions too much
If possible, greet them in their or they will give you and expect a gift
language; learn some key words in return
like Offer pork meet or alcohol
Hello…marrhaba Expose the soles of your feet
Thank You..shukran
Goodbye…maa as-salama
Yes…ee
No…ia
Food – ak-il
Water – may

13. SUMMARY
Florida 4-H is one of 3 states
supporting the Iraq 4-H program as
they need.
In October, each university of these
3 states will send a trainer to
Erbil, Iraq for 7 days to teach 4-H
staff and leaders more topics on 4-
H.
Great opportunities to cultural
learning through 4-H Pen Pal Clubs
exist for our Florida 4-H program.
Together with our guests we share
the same mission in any language:
“To Make the Best Better” through
Head - Heart – Hands and Health

14. http://cryptome.org/iraq-culture.htm
‘Iraq Culture Smart Card’ developed by Marine Corps Intelligence Activity
Kerstetter, M. ‘4-H Program in Iraq Ensures a Brighter Future for Its Children’ USDA.
Foreign Agricultural Service. 2010.
Kerstetter, M. ‘USDA Employee Founds 4-H in Iraq, Brings Hope to Iraqi Youth’ USDA
Blog July 2011.
Knitter, Pfc. Emily. ‘Head, Hearts, Hands and Health – 4-H Clubs in Iraq’ America’s North
Shore Journal. August 2010.
Slide Program developed by
Georgene Bender, Regional Specialized Agent 4-H,
University of Florida / IFAS 4-H Youth Development
July 2011
RESOURCES USED