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Direct Aid Initiative
A different kind of healing for Iraqi kids in Jordan

Najlaa Al-Nashi, Direct Aid Initiative

Mar 25, 2008

I recently received a message from two kind ladies who wanted to draw a smile on Iraqi kids' faces. Laura, Annie, and their colleagues' main concern is with children who have been hurt during the American-British occupation of Iraq. Their organization, called "Circus2Iraq", believes in promoting peace and love among all people, like DAI. Because of this, it was very easy for us to cooperate with them.

DAI team members in Jordan arranged 3 shows for them in different areas of Amman, each with a different non-governmental humanitarian organization: Children without Borders, Relief International and MSF (Doctors without Borders).

The wounded children at MSF enjoyed their performance - I think they will never forget it.

Other children's reactions were different. Some only spoke quietly, others refused to share their stories or participate fully. I could feel their fear and the stress that they live under every day.

DAI is pleased to encourage and facilitate important activities such as this. We know that this kind of entertainment can decrease children stress and give the children back something from their real childhood. It can and did make them laugh again.

This war has caused huge damage. It has destroyed buildings and historic places. It has robbed Iraqi houses and streets of security, and it has converted four million Iraqis into refugees or internally displaced persons.

But this war has also caused spiritual damage and broken hearts. And these are very difficult to treat, and very, very painful.

Thank you, Circus 2 Iraq, from the DAI team. We look forward to seeing you again in Amman.

Najlaa Al-Nashi coordinates DAI's work in Amman, Jordan. She is originally from Baghdad.

DAI maintains its own website here.