Late August It seems a strange thing to say, but ever since arriving here, I have been looking for an opportunity to get out of the Green Zone and explore the 'Red Zone' - the real Baghdad. Although clearly dangerous, the prospect didn't deter me in the slightest. As soon as we arrived, we began raising money to help a local project. The only thing missing from the plan was the project itself.  | | My host cared deeply for the children of Baghdad; he was a hero to every one of them. Here he is wishing this girl a Happy 7th Birthday |
I made contact with a US Civil Affairs unit and arranged to visit some places in their area of the city; the tour included a refurbished youth centre and a football league needing a pitch. Travelling in a US convoy, I went from project to project over a seven hour period. We had no lunch and the water I had taken with me was boiling hot by 2pm. But I didn't care. I witnessed the US Army putting thousands of Dollars into improving the lives of whole groups of Iraqi society. And to do so, they risk their lives every day. The good I saw that day will remain with me for a long time.  | | I bumped into this little chap at the end of the day. I sat him down on my helmet and he just started to wave at the camera. |
Every time we stopped I made a point of taking my helmet off and removing my sunglasses. Perhaps it was my Northern Ireland experience, but talking to the locals eye to eye is always the best way. I spoke to one shop keeper who was very supportive of what we were doing, and I chatted to a medical student who was desperate to live and study in England. I didn't receive one negative comment all day. There was one moment though that was a little hairy. We stopped in a side street to give out some toys to young children in a nearby clinic. As the main party left I stayed behind to chat to one or two locals.  | | This very tall US soldier was handing out pens - it was a scrum with the children competing with the adults. |
After a few minutes I went in search of the clinic and asked the US soldiers where it was: they didn't know but said it was 'just up the street'. So I went 'just up the street' about 100m, without seeing anything resembling a clinic. It suddenly struck me that standing in a Baghdad street alone, about 100m from the nearest help, was probably not very sensible.  | | Ade was snapped by an American soldier standing in the 'Red Zone' with the famous 14th July Bridge behind, spanning the River Tigris. |
Although I still felt safe, that could have changed in a second. I made a phone call and was soon led to the clinic to join the others. On reflection, it had been one of the most inspiring and emotional days of my tour.
| 
