HELP IRAQI CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Help Iraqi Children with Disabilities

Supporting Children with Special Needs and Their Families

May 2026

Iraqi Children’s Hope Organization (ICHOPE) remains dedicated to helping children with disabilities and developmental challenges receive the care, attention, and opportunities they deserve. Across many underserved communities in Iraq, families continue to face major obstacles in accessing therapy services, mental health support, and specialized educational care for their children.

For parents raising children with special needs, the emotional and financial burden can be overwhelming. Many mothers carry these responsibilities alone while trying to provide stability, comfort, and hope for their children despite limited resources.

With your support, children who once struggled without guidance are now receiving professional care, therapy assistance, and emotional encouragement that is helping them grow and engage more confidently with the world around them.

Program Activities – May 2026

Throughout May, the program focused on improving consistency in therapy services while strengthening emotional support for both children and caregivers. Key activities included:

• Providing developmental follow-up support for children with autism and cognitive delays
• Supporting speech and communication improvement sessions
• Assisting families in accessing rehabilitation and behavioral therapy services
• Conducting emotional wellness sessions for caregivers facing stress and exhaustion
• Monitoring children’s progress through regular communication with families and specialists
• Encouraging social interaction activities to help children build confidence and communication skills

Monthly Impact

Because of donor support during May 2026:

• 14 children benefited from ongoing therapy and developmental support services
• 5 children received new assessments and referrals for specialized care
• 8 caregivers attended emotional support and family guidance sessions
• 4 volunteers helped families with transportation coordination and appointment follow-ups
• Several children showed improvement in attention, interaction, emotional response, and communication abilities

Families also reported reduced stress at home as children became more engaged in daily routines and activities.

Family Story: “Zahraa Started School Activities Again”

Zahraa is a 10-year-old girl living with emotional trauma and learning difficulties following years of instability and hardship within her family environment. Over time, she became withdrawn, avoided group activities, and struggled to participate in school.

Her mother explained that Zahraa had lost confidence in herself and often isolated herself from other children.

Through emotional support sessions and continuous follow-up provided by the program, Zahraa slowly began rebuilding trust and confidence. With encouragement from therapists and caregivers, she started participating in drawing activities, communicating more openly, and interacting with children around her.

Recently, Zahraa joined a small group activity and volunteered to read aloud in front of others something her family once believed would never happen again.

Her mother shared:

“When I saw my daughter smile and participate again, I felt like life was returning to our home. Thank you for helping her believe in herself again.”

Today, Zahraa continues receiving support while making steady emotional and educational progress.

Moving Forward

Over the next phase, (ICHOPE) plans to:

• Increase support for children waiting to receive specialized services
• Expand family counseling and caregiver education programs
• Strengthening partnerships with therapy providers and mental health specialists
• Develop more child-centered social and educational activities
• Continue promoting understanding and inclusion for children with disabilities in local communities

A Message of Gratitude

Your support brings relief, encouragement, and opportunity to children who face daily challenges beyond their control. Every therapy session, every counseling visit, and every act of compassion helps a child feel safer, stronger, and more hopeful.

Together, we are helping children with disabilities discover their abilities, rebuild confidence, and move toward brighter futures filled with dignity and care.