Collateral Repair Project
in affiliation with International Humanities Center



Micro-projects that have been funded through your generosity - July 08
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Leqa'a

I am Leqa'a, 32 years old, I hold intermediate education level, housewife. My husband name is Kadhum, 34
years old, he holds a primary education level, his previous work is a car dealer, we have one child, her name is
Zayneb she is three years old. We were living at Al-Baladiyat district in Baghdad province, our life was quiet and
secure before 2003.

On October-2006, my daughter Zayneb has been kidnapped by militias, she was only one year and a half when
she was kidnapped due to sectarian reasons. My husband and I lost our minds because we don't know how and
where we shall find our daughter.( Leqa'a was shaking and sobbing as she recall this incident).

After one week of running and searching every where, the militias phoned us for ransom to release our daughter.
We paid them the requested ransom and we took our daughter and we were astonished to see our little daughter
badly tortured and she is about to get anemia. But, the most unbelievable thing is that, the kidnapper was the
cousin of my husband. After this incident, my little daughter suffered from hysteria, and whenever she saw a man
wearing hood, she begins crying and shouting till now. Also, I faced the death and some militias tried kidnapping
me but they missed me. At meantime, my husband leg badly broke during getting back our daughter from the
militias.

Therefore, we fled Iraq to Jordan on December-2006, we rented a small house at Jabal A-qusour district in
Amman for JD50 monthly.  We lost everything in Baghdad and I discovered after our arrival to Jordan that I am
suffering from throat cancer because of what happened to my daughter in Baghdad, now I am subjected to
atomic radiation treatment.

We got assistance only from CARE JD90 which is not enough for anything, especially, I and my daughter under
treatment and need a lot of money for our treatment. My project is a sewing machine in order to collect money
for our living and treatment.
 I thank you and appreciate you in advance
          "I am very happy, I can't stop crying when I got the sewing machine because my dream has
came true. Many thanks for CRP for this projects and the thanks for the American donors who fulfilled
my wish and gave us another opportunity for living"      
Leqa'a's words - accompanied by sobs - upon receiving her sewing machine
micro-project
Fakhir

I am Fakhir, 45 years old, I hold elementary education level, my
previous work was free business(different simple works with daily
wage).  My wife name is Ena'am, she is 40 years old, housewife, she
holds intermediate education level.

We have two boys and two girls, my eldest son's name is Mohsin, he
is 12 years old and he is at the ninth grade of study, Hala (the
daughter) is eleven years old and she is at the eighth grade of study,
Shukran (the second daughter) is nine years old and she is at the
fourth grade of study, Sayf my youngest son, he is four years old.
Before 2003 we were living at Al-Madaen district in Baghdad
province, we had a very quiet and stable life until the invasion
which imposed on my country.

After a year of invading Iraq the militias came to my district and
started to displace families from their own houses and controlled the
area completely, these militias shot my house with gunfires several
times to inform us that we have to leave immediately or, they will kill
us in our house. So, I took my family and ran away without taking
anything from my house and I decided to flee Iraq and came to
Jordan on Sep-1-2004.

Since we entered Jordan we rented a small house at Al-Nasir
mountain district for JD65 monthly.  We only received JD150 as a
financial assistance from CARE organization since three months
ago. I haven't any work here. Also, my four children are suffering
from involuntary urination because of the fears that they faced and
felt it when we were in Baghdad and I have no money to treat them.

So, will you please assist me to get rid of my plight by provide me
with some basic tools in order to start my own project which is
perforation on plastic, wood and brass in order to make portraits?

  I have a deal with different galleries to buy my portraits so that I
can get money to treat my four children.
" We thank all American people. We love all the American people
very much. Now I will be able to earn something for my livelihood
and will be able to feed my family "
Fakhir's gratitude statement
Saeb

I am Saeb Abdul Qader Bakr,37 years old, I am engineer, I was working
in medical appliances department in the ministry of health. My wife
name is Hiba, 30 years old, she holds diploma degree in computer
sciences, she is a housewife. We have three daughters, my eldest
daughter's name is Noor, she is 11 years old, she is at the 5th grade of
study, my second daughter's name is Denis, she is 5 years old, while
the youngest daughter's name is Sarah, she is 2 years old.  We were
living at Zayouna district in Baghdad province. we had a very quiet
beautiful life.

After invading Iraq and exactly on the year of 2005 the militias
kidnapped my brother Salah because he was an officer in the previous
Iraqi army, the militias released my brother after we paid a ransom for
them. A few days later, my father faced death because he had a high
rank in the previous Iraqi army and he survived as well. After this
incident, my father and my brother Salah fled to Kirkuk province
because it's the place of our birth.  As for me, I was threatened by
letters and phone calls, so, I took my family and fled to Kirkuk to join
my father and my brother. But, the big catastrophe that we faced in
Kirkuk is the sectarian displacement.

My father and brother left Kirkuk and went to Turkey, my family and I
decided to fled to Jordan.  We entered Jordan on 7-December-2006
and we rented a small house at Al-Hashimie Al-Shamalie for JD100
monthly. We have never received any financial assistance from any
organization in Jordan. Also, I haven't any work in Jordan, in addition
to that, my three daughters suffering from Asthma.

I will appreciate your donations for my project which is Computer
and printer in order to let me and my family stand on our feet
again.(
Saeb has made an arrangement with two geometrical bureaus
to print them their documents once he has a computer and printer)
" I'm very grateful for the chance you have given me. Thanks to the American people. This proves that
politics are one thing and the people are another thing. I especially commend CRP for the considerate
way they have done this. "
Saeb's statement of gratitude for your help
Ebtisam

I am Ebtisam, 32 years old, housewife, I hold intermediate
education level. I am married to Mawloud, 37 years old,
graduated from college of sports education, his work was car
dealer.

We have two girls and a boy, my eldest daughter Russul is six
years old, Ahmed is five years old and Nuha is Five months
old.

We were living at Al-waziriya neighborhood in Baghdad
province, our life was very happy.

At the beginning of the year 2006, we received a threat letter
with a bullet inside it to leave or to be killed, but, my husband
could not run away so, on the same day of receiving the
message and exactly in the evening, my husband was taken
by militias, he was tortured and the militias asked me to pay
ransom in order to release him, otherwise, I will receive his
dead body, so, I collected money from my parents and
relatives in order to release my husband, then, I paid the
ransom for the militias and they did release my husband.
Therefore, we fled Iraq and came to Jordan on 1-June-2006.

We rented a house at Jabal Al-Nasir district for JD50 monthly.
We didn't get any assistance or salary from any organization,
although we contacted many organizations.

Therefore, I appreciate your assistance by ensuring me
with sewing machine as a micro-project to start our life
again

With this sewing machine, I can repair clothes, make it
shorter or longer and sew a new simple clothes for women
and children.

And for sure my neighbors encouraged me to sew thir
clothes because there is no seamstress in our area except
me.
" I thank CRP for helping us by ensuring me this project to make my family live and survive " 'Ebitsam's words of gratitude
Muhanned

I am Muhanned, 37 years old, graduated
from college of arts,I had tableaus gallery
in Al-Karradah neighborhood at Baghdad
province.  I am Married to Rana Abdul who
holds intermediate education level,she is a
housewife, We have two boys and a girl, Ali
my eldest son is 12 years old, he is a
student at sixth grade, Hussein my second
son is 11 years old,he is a student at fourth
grade and my daughter Sarah is 2 years
and a half. We were living at Al-Karradah
district in Baghdad province. our lives were
very secure and stable and we all were very
happy.

After 2003, I worked inside the Green Zone
at an american camp to sell my art for
Americans, but, after a while I received a
threat messages from unknown groups,
these messages indicated that I am most
wanted to kill, so, I fled with my family to
another neighborhood but, when the
militias assaulted my house in order to
catch me, they found my father-in-law  
(who was previously Iraqi counsel to
Germany) and they arrested him and jailed
him in Booca camp in Basra province for
ten months. I faced the death several times
and I was lucky to be a live, unfortunately,
Militias managed to kill my sister Mariam at
her house in Baghdad, as a result for these
sad incidents I got ulcer and severe
migraine.

I fled Iraq with my family and my
brother-in-law whose name is Mustafa, He is
19 years old and he was chased by militias,
we entered  Jordan on 1-8-2006, we rented
an apartment In Swaileh neighborhood for
JD150 monthly.  We have never get any
assistance from any NGOs, but, we were
promised by CARE to have a salary of
JD120 two months later from June

As a conclusion for what I mentioned
above and for my bad conditions, will you
please help me in order to regain our
lives by ensuring me a slide projector for
drawing in order to start my work again?
Maratib

I am Maratib, 42 years old, diploma degree in
mathematics and sciences, My previous
career is a teacher in primary school at
Samarra city in Salah Al-Dene province. My
husband name is Kareem, he is 45 years old,
he holds a primary education level, he was a
car dealer.

I have three children, two girls and a boy,my
eldest son is Muhammed, 19 years old, Safa
(my daughter) is 15 years, she is at the 9th
grade of study and my youngest daughter
Teeba of 10 years old, she is at the 5th grade
of study.  We were living in Samarra, our lives
were full of happiness and security.

After the year of 2005, we received threat
letters and threat phone calls to leave our
house and our city within 24 hours, so, we
moved to another district in the same city but,
the militias continued chasing us. At the same
time, my brother-in-law has been killed in front
of his house, also, my uncle house which is
very close to our house has been assaulted by
militias and this militias killed my uncle inside
his house and kidnapped his son Ahmed who
is 22 years old. My mother was killed by an
American missile then two days later I lost my
father who got heart attack and died
immediately.(Maratib started crying and
shouting).

We fled Iraq to Jordan on 15-March-2006 and
rented a house at Jabal Al-Naser for JD50
monthly. Four months ago we started receive
a financial assistance (JD130 monthly) from
CARE. My husband does not work and the sum
of JD130 is not enough for paying the rent,
electricity, living and study fees.

I appeal you to assist me and donate for my
project which is a small photocopying
machine.

(Maratib has an arrangement with some
schools to copy their books, files and other
documents once she has a photocopy
machine)
Sameera

I am Sameera, 48 years old, I
hold intermediate education
level, previously was an
employee in Ebn Al-Haitham
hospital for optics surgery.  I
am married to Faisal who
holds secondary education
level and his worked as a taxi
driver.

We have two girls and a boy,
my son "Yass" is 30 years old
while my daughter Hiba is 22
years old, Maryam my
youngest daughter is 16 years
old and she is a student in a
secondary school in Jordan.

Previously, we were living in
Baghdad, we were happily
lived and our life was very
stable and secure until 2003.

After 2003, we received a
threat to leave our house or
we would be killed because
the militias took over our
district, so, we fled away to
Jordan on 21-7-2006.

After we arrived to Jordan we
rented a small house at
Swaileh district in Amman for
JD150 per a month. We didn't
receive neither salary nor any
kind of assistance from any
organization.

My husband does not work
here in Amman as well as my
son.

In order to stand on our feet
again, will you please
provide me with sewing
machine as a micro-project
with many thanks in advance.
The vast majority of Iraqis who fled to Jordan are there without legal
residency as only those able to put $100,000 into an account can get
legal status.  Iraqis without legal     residency are barred from
employment.  Those that can find work are at risk of abuse by
exploitative employers paying slave wages or of not being paid at all -
or worse, arrest   and deportation to Iraq if caught.  
Only about 22
percent of Iraqi adults in Jordan work; the rest are jobless.

There is no "welfare" for Iraqis in need.  Although some receive a small
monthly grant from UN donated funds, but, because of inadequate
funding,  only a  small percentage of  the neediest of the needy receive
this. For those who do, it is such a small amount that it is insufficient to
cover all but the most basic of needs.  Those who came with savings
have seen them rapidly disappear with the high cost of living in Amman.
 Families are living in silent desperation and many are contemplating
the impossible choice of returning to Iraq where they face a high risk of
death as many left because  of direct threats against them and their
families.

Your contributions make it possible for families to purchase
equipment and supplies to help them begin a small home
business to increase their stability.  

These projects also provide meaning to days that were formerly
monotonous and filled with anxiety.  

      Your compassion really does change lives
Ali Sabir

I am Ali Sabir, 45 years old, I hold a
primary education level, my previous
work was construction worker.  My wife is
Palestinian origin, 38 years old, she holds
a primary education level, a housewife.
We were living at Al-Sha'ab district in
Baghdad. Our life was stable and secure
until 2003.

After 2003, my brother arrested by militias
because he was a military officer, till now
we didn't know any thing about him. My
other brother received a threat message
and he fled from his house but, the
militias burned his house completely.

According to me I have been displaced
because my district was controlled by
militias, therefore, I fled with my wife to
Jordan on Oct-2004. We rented a small
apartment at Al-Wehdat district in
Amman for JD50 per month. After two
months from our arrival to Jordan, my
wife became a pregnant, during her
pregnancy we suffered from the scarcity
of food and money, so, the troubles
began between me and my wife.

After my wife delivered a boy but he is
not healthy because of the bad nutrition,
so, the troubles between me and my wife
was ongoing and she left us and went to
Syria leaving our son without feeding,
then I divorced her. Now, my son Hussein
is living with me and some wealthy Iraqis
donating me with money to buy my son
food and other basic needs.

My son Hussein subjected to ear surgery,
as well as, he suffers from brittle bones
and Anemia. I have no work here, but,
one month ago I started receive JD80
from CARE.

Please, help me by donating to my
project which is tile cleaning machine
in order to collect money to raise up my
son Hussein. I appreciate your efforts
and donations
" I deeply thank CRP and the great American donors who provided me with Tile cleaning machine and
its attachments which will help me and my family to start a new life. Also, I would like to thank Sasha
and Mary for giving my son a gift "
Ali's words of thanks
Jamil Mahmoud

I am Jamil Mahmoud, and I am 42
years old.  I hold secondary education
level, I had mini supermarket at
Al-Samawa province in Iraq. My wife
name is Safeera, 38 year.

We have two girls and two boys, the
girls are Jinan is13 years old and
Rukaya is 6 years old, the boys are
Adel is 11 years old and Ali is 8 years..
We were living at Al-Samawa province
and our life before 2003 was stable
and secure.

On the first of May-2003, the American
and Iraqi forces arrested me and jailed
me for one month , during my prison
my father was shot and he get
paralyzed, as wel as, my mother got
heart attack. Moreover, my family
displaced from our area to another
area.  For all these reasons, I fled
alone to Jordan because, we don't
have enough money to flee all of us.

So, my family still living in Iraq and I
entered Jordan on 1-7-2003, I rented a
very bad and small house at Al-Jofa
district for JD50 per month. Five
months ago I began to receive JD 30
from CARE, I have no other assistance.
As a result of the bad conditions of the
house that I live in and scarcity of food
I got tuberculosis.  Some Iraqi help me
and buy me medicines, but I need
more.

My project is welding machine with its
accessories and other tools in order to
start my life and to ensure some money
for my treatment.
I thank you in
advance for helping me.
" Many thanks for the American people who extended their hands to me, as well as my thanks for CRP
represented by Sasha and Mary "
words of gratitude from Jamil
Home
" I'm very pleased to meet you. I am very, very thankful.
Thank you, all the American people, very much "
 
Muhanned's words of thanks
" I am very happy to receive my project which is copy machine, I will do my best to collect
money in order to feed my family. GOD BLESS AMERICAN PEOPLE AND CRP "
Maratib's words of thanks
" Thousands thanks to CRP for providing me this sewing machine in order to start our lives again
and million thanks for the friendly American people who donated for me "
 Sameera's gratitude