Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day

The Iraqi Children Foundation run mobile schools called the Hope Buses. These deliver tutoring, healthcare and support to orphans and displaced children living in disadvantaged neighborhoods across Baghdad. The ICF has two Hope Buses and both of these have been designed to accommodate children's needs. These testimonies from two ICF teachers, highlight the ongoing efforts of the Iraqi Children Foundation and how their work with families across Baghdad are producing remarkable results. 

"Farah (age eight) and her mother worked in the streets, collecting empty metal cans to sell. Farah left school when she was six years old, and was arrested for begging when she was just seven. Farah’s father was killed in a battle against ISIS, so her mother is a widow. Farah, her mother, and her brother lived in extreme poverty in one small room. She was suffering from a skin condition, dental problems and malnutrition, which were depriving her of childhood experiences. Suffering, poverty, and deprivation were all that she knew. Our social workers then convinced Farah’s mother to let her come to the Hope Bus." 

"Just five months after joining the Hope Bus, Farah’s life has turned around. She has received proper medical treatment, is getting healthy food every day and is no longer malnourished. Farah is no longer working in the streets, and she spends her time in a child-friendly environment where she can finally play and be a child. She receives a daily education and now has new clothes to wear. Our Street Lawyers also helped Farah’s mother to get a social welfare allowance. After that, the team found a good job for Farah's mother, which provides the family with a stable source of income." 

"Hussein (age nine) used to come every day to the Hope Bus, and stand far away watching the children of the bus while they were playing. One day the teacher asked Hussein to register on the Hope Bus, but Hussein started crying and ran away. The teacher visited Hussein’s house and met his family, telling them that Hussein should come and join the children on the Hope Bus. Hussein’s mother told the teacher that Hussein was ashamed of his appearance, as he suffers from deformities to the face and head as a result of being burned when he was younger." 

"Hussein was worried that the other children would make fun of his appearance. A social worker spoke with Hussein and convinced him that the other children would welcome him with love, consider him their friend and would never make fun of his appearance. She also explained that a person is not judged by his external looks but by his morals, especially his personality and work. Hussein agreed to join the children on the Hope Bus, and now spends his days having a fun and happy time with other kids."