| The Collateral Repair Project in affiliation with International Humanities Center IN THEIR OWN WORDS - IRAQI REFUGEE FATHERS TELL THEIR STORIES scroll down to read all stories |
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I am Qabel, 42 years old, hold a primary education level certificate, my work is free
business, my wife's name Nahida, she is a housewife, I have two boys( Ramm of 13
years old and Rimon of 12 years old), we lived in Al-Dora neighborhood in Baghdad
province.
After invading Iraq the militias kidnapped my son Ramm then I paid a lot of money
to them in order to release my son, the militias released my son but they badly
turtured him.
So, I decided to take my family and fled to Jordan, we entered Jordan on 2004, we
rented small unhealthy house for $70 per month.
There is no any help from anybody, also, we haven't get any financial assistance
from any organization.
It is too shame for me and for my family that people giving us food, clothes and
necessaries.
I can't work anymore because after kidnapping my son I got an epilepsy and
subjected to frequent fainting spells ( He is crying and weeping and cursing the
time for being in this status).
What a bad time that lead my wife to work a servant in Jordanian houses in order
to get money.
I appeal all fathers to read my story and assist me in my plight.
business, my wife's name Nahida, she is a housewife, I have two boys( Ramm of 13
years old and Rimon of 12 years old), we lived in Al-Dora neighborhood in Baghdad
province.
After invading Iraq the militias kidnapped my son Ramm then I paid a lot of money
to them in order to release my son, the militias released my son but they badly
turtured him.
So, I decided to take my family and fled to Jordan, we entered Jordan on 2004, we
rented small unhealthy house for $70 per month.
There is no any help from anybody, also, we haven't get any financial assistance
from any organization.
It is too shame for me and for my family that people giving us food, clothes and
necessaries.
I can't work anymore because after kidnapping my son I got an epilepsy and
subjected to frequent fainting spells ( He is crying and weeping and cursing the
time for being in this status).
What a bad time that lead my wife to work a servant in Jordanian houses in order
to get money.
I appeal all fathers to read my story and assist me in my plight.
I am Yahiya, 40 years old, I hold diploma degree, and I work in free business, I
married to Mayada. M she holds diploma degree, she is architect, I have three
kids, two boys and a girl, my eldest son Ibraheem 10 years old and he is in a
primary school, second son Al-Hareth 4 years old, and the girl’s name Aiysha 7
years old she is at the second year of primary school.
Before coming to Jordan we were living at Baghdad, our lives were very happy
and secure.
After the American invasion to Iraq our neighborhood was controlled by the
militias, these militias killed my brother and his wife survived, I left my house
with my family after receiving threat message, also, the militias wrote my name
on the wall of my house(“wanted to kill”) in blood color, so, I ran away with my
family to Al-Hilla province (southern Iraq),
while I was in Al-Hilla, I heard that the American troops with supporting of Iraqi
police assaulted my parents house who were living also in Baghdad Al-Jadeed in
Baghdad province to arrest my other youngest brothers, the American soldiers
kicked my father with their boots, unfortunately, two days later my father died
because of the bad injuries and heart attack. ( Yahiay was sobbing and broke
down while he was recalling the horrible incident of his father).
So, I decided to flee because the militias could reach me in Al-Hilla and arrest me,
so, I fled to Jordan with my family.
On July-2005 we entered Jordan, we had no enough money, so we lived in a
farm with animals and some of Iraqis rented us a small room for 50 JD per
month.
After a while and because of hunger and bad conditions my youngest son Al-
Hareth got a blood cancer, ( Yahiya was crying loudly) I tried my best in order
to treat my son, I ask here and there then at last I received exemption for six
months only to treat my son the Medical city hospital. Al-Hareth still suffering
from the disease and his illness needs more money for treatment and for good
feeding.
We receive a financial assistance 150 JD from CARE, I don’t have a job although I
tried many times to find a job in order to treat my son and to feed the others but
I couldn’t.
So, please could you help me in order to assist my family and treat my sick son?
I appreciated your positive action in this respect and I hope to provide me with
TILE CLEANING MACHINE to enable us start our life.
Yahiyah hopes for help out of his situation. He has requested
tile cleaning equipment through our Micro-project program
Find out more HERE
I am Yousif 14 years old, student in the seventh grade of school, my mother's
name Lamia'a, she is a housewife, I have two sisters. Fatima 11 years old and
Zainab 9 years old, both of them in school.
We were good family with my father who worked in security patrol in Baghdad
province.
My father used to bring us everything and to play with us and always asking us to
study.
After invasion of Iraq my father was shot by machine gun by American forces,
because my father on his duty. After the death of my father we received threat
message, so, we left to Jordan on Augest 2003 and rented a very small house in
Al-Nazzal neighborhood in Amman for 70 JD per a month.
I helped my mother in houseworks, I don't let her to be tired, some times I work
here and there to collect money for living.
I help my both sisters in everything( he sopke and the tears in his eyes)
We receive a financial assistance from CARE 140 JD and sometimes people here
helping us by giving us a food and sometimes they give money.
I don't want my mother and sister suffering so I became their father.
I forgot to tell you that my mother sometimes works as a servant to collect money
for living and study.
Thanks for every one who heard me and taking in consideration my suffers.
name Lamia'a, she is a housewife, I have two sisters. Fatima 11 years old and
Zainab 9 years old, both of them in school.
We were good family with my father who worked in security patrol in Baghdad
province.
My father used to bring us everything and to play with us and always asking us to
study.
After invasion of Iraq my father was shot by machine gun by American forces,
because my father on his duty. After the death of my father we received threat
message, so, we left to Jordan on Augest 2003 and rented a very small house in
Al-Nazzal neighborhood in Amman for 70 JD per a month.
I helped my mother in houseworks, I don't let her to be tired, some times I work
here and there to collect money for living.
I help my both sisters in everything( he sopke and the tears in his eyes)
We receive a financial assistance from CARE 140 JD and sometimes people here
helping us by giving us a food and sometimes they give money.
I don't want my mother and sister suffering so I became their father.
I forgot to tell you that my mother sometimes works as a servant to collect money
for living and study.
Thanks for every one who heard me and taking in consideration my suffers.
On the year 2001, I married and we lived with our family ( my mother, brother
and my father is a martyr of war, he was a doctor) in their house in Baghdad,
we all lived happily, secure and luxurious life..
On 2003 which is the year of invading our lovely country, IRAQ, by American
forces, all provinces in Iraq especially Baghdad subjected to sectarian killing by
militias.So, it is impossible to live in Baghdad, consequently we fled and left
our beloved house, memories and every beautiful things behind.
My family ( my mother, brother and wife ) and me entered Jordan on July-
2005.
On 2006 with God will my wife became a pregnant and after 9 months I have a
twins (boy and girl).
The boy is Abdullah and the girl is Safa. now they are 2 years old, I can't
express my feeling and how happy I am and all my family became happy, also,
I didn't believe or imagine that I became a father, but, after one year of my
kid's birth I have another girl whose name is Hiba which means in English a
GIFT of God.
Now I have three babies and as you know the cost of living in Amman is very
expensive, especially for us as refugees..
It is difficult for me to ensure milk., diapers and other important things that
babies need it as it very expensive, as well as, I'm unable to ensure the daily
necessities, because I have no work here.
I'm afraid that time will run so quickly without any improvement for us as a
refugees, we are as a mature persons we accept this situation by force, but as
for our children I'm thinking horribly for what will going on with them if they
haven't the opportuntiy of living like other kids in the world.
At last, it is very difficult to leave my babies without feeding and this is my
suffers. It is very difficult to take care and raise up children in exile because the
children will not get their needs like American and other children who live in
their countries and get what they need without occupation or violence. So, I
always grant them my deepest feeling with love.
Thank you so much “Collateral Repair Project” you are really wonderful
humanitarian organization and thousands for American people who hates
war, persecution and violence.
And we hope as a refugees that the only wonderful American people can stop
the war in Iraq in order to avoid much more killing, hunger, homeless and
diseases.
I salute all fathers in the world for the occasion of father’s day, wishing them
a life full of prosperity.
Iraqi refugee - Fahad
and my father is a martyr of war, he was a doctor) in their house in Baghdad,
we all lived happily, secure and luxurious life..
On 2003 which is the year of invading our lovely country, IRAQ, by American
forces, all provinces in Iraq especially Baghdad subjected to sectarian killing by
militias.So, it is impossible to live in Baghdad, consequently we fled and left
our beloved house, memories and every beautiful things behind.
My family ( my mother, brother and wife ) and me entered Jordan on July-
2005.
On 2006 with God will my wife became a pregnant and after 9 months I have a
twins (boy and girl).
The boy is Abdullah and the girl is Safa. now they are 2 years old, I can't
express my feeling and how happy I am and all my family became happy, also,
I didn't believe or imagine that I became a father, but, after one year of my
kid's birth I have another girl whose name is Hiba which means in English a
GIFT of God.
Now I have three babies and as you know the cost of living in Amman is very
expensive, especially for us as refugees..
It is difficult for me to ensure milk., diapers and other important things that
babies need it as it very expensive, as well as, I'm unable to ensure the daily
necessities, because I have no work here.
I'm afraid that time will run so quickly without any improvement for us as a
refugees, we are as a mature persons we accept this situation by force, but as
for our children I'm thinking horribly for what will going on with them if they
haven't the opportuntiy of living like other kids in the world.
At last, it is very difficult to leave my babies without feeding and this is my
suffers. It is very difficult to take care and raise up children in exile because the
children will not get their needs like American and other children who live in
their countries and get what they need without occupation or violence. So, I
always grant them my deepest feeling with love.
Thank you so much “Collateral Repair Project” you are really wonderful
humanitarian organization and thousands for American people who hates
war, persecution and violence.
And we hope as a refugees that the only wonderful American people can stop
the war in Iraq in order to avoid much more killing, hunger, homeless and
diseases.
I salute all fathers in the world for the occasion of father’s day, wishing them
a life full of prosperity.
Iraqi refugee - Fahad
I am Hatim, Iraqi citizen.
I am married and have two kids (one boy and a girl); Baida'a is my eldest daughter
of 19 years old and Tay is 18 years old. Both of them are suffering from
Thalassemia disease since the first months of their birth.
As a father waiting to see his new babies, I was hoping that my new babies will fill
my life with happiness and enjoyment, but, unfortunately, both of my kids born
with this fatal disease and it was a horrible shock for me and for their mother.
Our sad plight has just started and we began to visit the hospitals and doctors
hoping that we can treat my children, and as you know this kind of disease needs
more money for treatment and frequently, so, we started selling everything that
we have in order to get more money for their treatment until we became without
money and there is no more money to pay for the doctors.
After a while of our non stop ordeal, Iraqi doctors decided that Baida'a should be
subjected to surgery for planting marrow which is never can be done in Iraq, but
instead, we can do this surgery in other countries. My financial condition is very
difficult because I have no income except my pension and I have nothing more to
sell in order to get money for this surgery.
And fortunately, The Italian Red Crescent decided to sponsor the treatment of my
daughter Baida'a and moved her to Italia to do the planting marrow for her. After
she did the surgery, Baida'a needed for more cure in order to pursue her
treatment.
And as a result for the war on Iraq, all Iraqi doctors either killed or fled to other
countries as well most of Iraqi hospitals closed and there is no cures available for
the patients which mean we can not treat my children there, therefore, we left
Iraq and came to Jordan hoping that we can pursue their treatment, But, we
found that we are unable to pay for the treatment of my children because the
prices of cures and treatment in Jordan are very high and expensive.
Till now, Baida'a is suffering from Thalassemia and because of this disease Baida'a
has got diabetes as well. As for my son Tay, he is still suffering from the same
disease that his sister suffers.
We live in Amman, and we are in need for financial assistance in order to pursue
the treatment of my children
So, as a father still suffering and thinking about his kids who are very sick and
their healthy situation is getting down and down because I don't have money for
the treatment, and The father's day is the lonely occasion that I hope I can get
cure for my children who need it very much.
I am married and have two kids (one boy and a girl); Baida'a is my eldest daughter
of 19 years old and Tay is 18 years old. Both of them are suffering from
Thalassemia disease since the first months of their birth.
As a father waiting to see his new babies, I was hoping that my new babies will fill
my life with happiness and enjoyment, but, unfortunately, both of my kids born
with this fatal disease and it was a horrible shock for me and for their mother.
Our sad plight has just started and we began to visit the hospitals and doctors
hoping that we can treat my children, and as you know this kind of disease needs
more money for treatment and frequently, so, we started selling everything that
we have in order to get more money for their treatment until we became without
money and there is no more money to pay for the doctors.
After a while of our non stop ordeal, Iraqi doctors decided that Baida'a should be
subjected to surgery for planting marrow which is never can be done in Iraq, but
instead, we can do this surgery in other countries. My financial condition is very
difficult because I have no income except my pension and I have nothing more to
sell in order to get money for this surgery.
And fortunately, The Italian Red Crescent decided to sponsor the treatment of my
daughter Baida'a and moved her to Italia to do the planting marrow for her. After
she did the surgery, Baida'a needed for more cure in order to pursue her
treatment.
And as a result for the war on Iraq, all Iraqi doctors either killed or fled to other
countries as well most of Iraqi hospitals closed and there is no cures available for
the patients which mean we can not treat my children there, therefore, we left
Iraq and came to Jordan hoping that we can pursue their treatment, But, we
found that we are unable to pay for the treatment of my children because the
prices of cures and treatment in Jordan are very high and expensive.
Till now, Baida'a is suffering from Thalassemia and because of this disease Baida'a
has got diabetes as well. As for my son Tay, he is still suffering from the same
disease that his sister suffers.
We live in Amman, and we are in need for financial assistance in order to pursue
the treatment of my children
So, as a father still suffering and thinking about his kids who are very sick and
their healthy situation is getting down and down because I don't have money for
the treatment, and The father's day is the lonely occasion that I hope I can get
cure for my children who need it very much.
Greetings to whoever can hear this, my letter.
I am an Iraqi citizen, Sa'ad. I live in Amman since 5 years ago. I left my country
because of the security situation and also real hard living conditions and
intimidation that was threatening my life if I went back to Baghdad. I lost my
father in Iraq-Kuwait war in 1991. My mother and my siblings are living alone
without a supporter. Because of the living situation and the militia's threats to
me I cannot go back to Iraq.
I am married and have 2 kids. One of them, 7 yrs old and the other is 3 yrs old. I
am paraplegic from the middle down from early on. I suffer from extreme
exhaustion and I cannot walk -- I collapse.
I try to paint and draw to make some money so I can send to my family and I
cannot get permanent visa status in Jordan for any other country even though
I started processing my papers more than 4 yrs ago. I wish to be able to obtain
permanent status so I can be able to provide better for my family,
psychologically and monetarily. I hope that you can find a way. I thank you
and respect you for the rest of my life.
I am living in exile and cannot provide for my kids and am not up to the task. I
am thinking of my children's education all the time and whether can I settle
permanently in Jordan. If I can't , I don't what I am going to do.
I am an Iraqi citizen, Sa'ad. I live in Amman since 5 years ago. I left my country
because of the security situation and also real hard living conditions and
intimidation that was threatening my life if I went back to Baghdad. I lost my
father in Iraq-Kuwait war in 1991. My mother and my siblings are living alone
without a supporter. Because of the living situation and the militia's threats to
me I cannot go back to Iraq.
I am married and have 2 kids. One of them, 7 yrs old and the other is 3 yrs old. I
am paraplegic from the middle down from early on. I suffer from extreme
exhaustion and I cannot walk -- I collapse.
I try to paint and draw to make some money so I can send to my family and I
cannot get permanent visa status in Jordan for any other country even though
I started processing my papers more than 4 yrs ago. I wish to be able to obtain
permanent status so I can be able to provide better for my family,
psychologically and monetarily. I hope that you can find a way. I thank you
and respect you for the rest of my life.
I am living in exile and cannot provide for my kids and am not up to the task. I
am thinking of my children's education all the time and whether can I settle
permanently in Jordan. If I can't , I don't what I am going to do.
I'm writing to you my story, one of the stories that is about the Iraqi people.
I'm from Baghdad. We are a family living in Baghdad consisting of my father,
mother, wife and daughters, Nina, and Mariam. We also have a brother in
Sydney, Australia. He left Iraq in 1995 and he asked for asylum there, so I have no
brother here now. I was working until 1993 as an officer in Iraqi Army. After that
I was transferred to the fighting unit. And after that I was a teacher at the
University of Baghdad. My children were studying in middle school in Baghdad
and it was a very good school, run by the Nuns.
Our lives were very calm until the American forces attacked Iraq. My brother
advised me to move westward because of what was happening where we were
living. My children were terrified because of the bombing. Then we came back to
Baghdad during the occupation. My kids were still shivering and shaking in the
car because of the bombing and seeing dead people in the streets and cars on
fire. We lived in a house until the militias nailed a notice on our door telling us to
leave or be killed because Iraq has become a Shia country. You have no choice.
Then, one night they came and they were shooting in the air and my children
were terrified. So I contacted my brother and he advised me to run away to Syria
or Jordan. In the morning the next day we gathered up our belongings and we
carried my sick farther and headed toward Syria. We arrived at the border and it
was closed, so we headed back towards Jordan. We decided not to go back to
Iraq so we settled in Irbid which is very similar to Baghdad. We started
processing as refugees in Amman on 9/11/2005. After that we heard they have
taken over our home and moved in a Shia family under the pretext that they
were also refugees. And that's where our demise started in exile.
My father passed away 9/11/2006 and I had no choice but to bury him in Irbid
(Irbid is in Jordan) because I could not go back to my home. We were in great
pain and so were our chidren
On the morning of 11/14/2006 we woke up in the morning to find out that my
oldest daughter could not get out of bed and on her feet. Her age is 13 and she
had no previous medical problems whatever, so we took her to the hospital.
They checked her totally and told us there is nothing wrong with her except
psychological problem. So I decided to take her to another doctor, a
psychologist. He checked her out and said she is suffering from hysteria,
stemming from her grandfather's death. He gave us some medication and we
went back home. In the middle of the night she was choking so we called an
ambulance and took her to hospital, including my wife and my other daughter
Miriam, 11 yrs old. My wife was 6 months pregnant. They gave my daughter
oxygen and we stayed next to her till 5 in the morning, when she was choking
severely and . she choked to death. We began praying and crying. And I am
writing while I am crying because I am writing about the incident.
So after that my neighbors helped us carry my daughter next to her grandfather
in Irbid, and we all lost hope and feelings. Up till this hour I do not know where
exactly they buried her and it seems like death is following us to here.
After that my wife delivered a beautiful baby. Her name is Nuur and she is one
year and 2 months. Our life is very hard being refugees. I have registered with
the United Nations 3 years ago and up till now nobody has contacted us to tell us
if we can go back. I have to prove to them that I buried two people here in
Jordan.
So I ask you, why are we paying the price? Where is humanity? I lost my father
and we buried my daughter. Where is humanity every passing night and every
night we sit and cry and scream. Now I find my wife is speaking to herself all day
long and I am still trying to contact the UN. and all I get is lip service. What do I do
now? I am living on handouts. Please help me.
Sanin
I'm from Baghdad. We are a family living in Baghdad consisting of my father,
mother, wife and daughters, Nina, and Mariam. We also have a brother in
Sydney, Australia. He left Iraq in 1995 and he asked for asylum there, so I have no
brother here now. I was working until 1993 as an officer in Iraqi Army. After that
I was transferred to the fighting unit. And after that I was a teacher at the
University of Baghdad. My children were studying in middle school in Baghdad
and it was a very good school, run by the Nuns.
Our lives were very calm until the American forces attacked Iraq. My brother
advised me to move westward because of what was happening where we were
living. My children were terrified because of the bombing. Then we came back to
Baghdad during the occupation. My kids were still shivering and shaking in the
car because of the bombing and seeing dead people in the streets and cars on
fire. We lived in a house until the militias nailed a notice on our door telling us to
leave or be killed because Iraq has become a Shia country. You have no choice.
Then, one night they came and they were shooting in the air and my children
were terrified. So I contacted my brother and he advised me to run away to Syria
or Jordan. In the morning the next day we gathered up our belongings and we
carried my sick farther and headed toward Syria. We arrived at the border and it
was closed, so we headed back towards Jordan. We decided not to go back to
Iraq so we settled in Irbid which is very similar to Baghdad. We started
processing as refugees in Amman on 9/11/2005. After that we heard they have
taken over our home and moved in a Shia family under the pretext that they
were also refugees. And that's where our demise started in exile.
My father passed away 9/11/2006 and I had no choice but to bury him in Irbid
(Irbid is in Jordan) because I could not go back to my home. We were in great
pain and so were our chidren
On the morning of 11/14/2006 we woke up in the morning to find out that my
oldest daughter could not get out of bed and on her feet. Her age is 13 and she
had no previous medical problems whatever, so we took her to the hospital.
They checked her totally and told us there is nothing wrong with her except
psychological problem. So I decided to take her to another doctor, a
psychologist. He checked her out and said she is suffering from hysteria,
stemming from her grandfather's death. He gave us some medication and we
went back home. In the middle of the night she was choking so we called an
ambulance and took her to hospital, including my wife and my other daughter
Miriam, 11 yrs old. My wife was 6 months pregnant. They gave my daughter
oxygen and we stayed next to her till 5 in the morning, when she was choking
severely and . she choked to death. We began praying and crying. And I am
writing while I am crying because I am writing about the incident.
So after that my neighbors helped us carry my daughter next to her grandfather
in Irbid, and we all lost hope and feelings. Up till this hour I do not know where
exactly they buried her and it seems like death is following us to here.
After that my wife delivered a beautiful baby. Her name is Nuur and she is one
year and 2 months. Our life is very hard being refugees. I have registered with
the United Nations 3 years ago and up till now nobody has contacted us to tell us
if we can go back. I have to prove to them that I buried two people here in
Jordan.
So I ask you, why are we paying the price? Where is humanity? I lost my father
and we buried my daughter. Where is humanity every passing night and every
night we sit and cry and scream. Now I find my wife is speaking to herself all day
long and I am still trying to contact the UN. and all I get is lip service. What do I do
now? I am living on handouts. Please help me.
Sanin
| Honoring Iraqi Dads on Fathers Day watch video |
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