Greetings from Iraqi Kurdistan came in the form of a handmade saddle bag for Duluth Mayor Emily Larson. The large, autumn-colored side bag was presented to her by the Duluth Sister Cities International delegation who visited Duluth's Sister City, Rania, Iraqi Kurdistan, in January. The delegation gifted the bag to Larson during an April ceremony on behalf of Rania's mayor.
During their visit to Rania, the delegation - Jill and Koresh Lakhan, and Gale and Jeri Kerns - met with teachers, medical professionals and government officials to figure out ways American assistance could benefit their region. Ranian educators expressed the need for qualified English teachers while nursing educators hoped for a way to interact with their Duluth counterparts.
Duluthians Michele Obed and Greg Boertje-Obed also traveled to Rania in January but with a different purpose and for a longer period of time. Their purpose was to work with the Rayal Center - Rania's Cultural Exchange Organization - to deliver money raised by Duluth to assist with the building of a small library in Kobane, Syria.
