Street Lawyers, Doctors, Hope Buses for Iraqi Kids

You've seen the media stories:  experts and reporters writing about the 20th anniversary of the Iraq war and lessons learned.  What you've likely not seen: a "good news" story about Iraq that involves every one of you! 

It is a story of veterans, Gold Star families, members of the global Iraqi diaspora, US businesses working in Iraq, and ordinary Americans like me, together working in friendship with the people of Iraq to change the future of their most at risk children: orphans, street kids, child laborers, disabled kids, child trafficking victims, and girls at risk of early marriage. Together we are changing the future for kids like:

• Ali* (5) who suffers from paralysis and was rejected by a local kindergarten. Recently, ICF had a chance to provide support to a clinic treating disabled kids like Ali.  With the clinic's help, Ali learned to balance, sit, and stand. Now, Ali attends kindergarten, where he can learn and play with other children.

• Yasseen* (16) who was arrested for stealing a motorcycle and mobile phone. When his case came before the judge, a Street Lawyer explained that the boy's widowed mother is sick and that he and his 3 younger brothers often go to bed hungry. The judged was moved by his story and gave Yasseen a second chance with a lenient 6-month suspended sentence.
  
  
• Ibrahim* who was represented by the Street Lawyers several years ago on a theft charge and released. Now, he returned, asking the social workers for help to apply for a job. They trained him for an interview, helped with his resume, and wrote a letter of recommendation.  Success!  Ibrahim got the job and a good salary, a beautiful outcome for a child at one time in trouble with the law.

Aren't children like these a great investment?  If you'd like to be a voice for the voiceless, please invite friends to make a simple gift of $20, $30, or more for Iraq's children.  This week, April 3 - 7, donations up to $50 earn an extra 50% bonus in free money for Iraqi children!

The ICF team expresses its deepest gratitude to all of you for standing and acting with us. This is how we change the future:  one child at a time!  

Best,
Cindy

*names changed for privacy