Dr. Khalaf Abdul Samad, Governor of Basra, Iraq.

When Dr. Khalaf heard of the pediatric heart surgeries LLI was bringing to Iraq, he suggested right away to bring them to his native Basra. When he found out the hospital was not ready to receive the surgeries, he offered to prepare them in time. Dr. Khalaf has offered his support to LLI in every leg of our missions, particularly in our medical missions over the past year. The people of Basra are well known to be generous, well-natured and hospitable, and those characteristics are boldly embodied in Dr. Khalaf. He has embraced us in the region with the utmost hospitality, facilitating our work in Basra a great deal.

Already experienced in dealing with the victims of war by heading the Al-Shuhadaa Organization from 2003 to 2006, Dr. Khalaf readily sympathized with us and supported us in our efforts to help orphans and widows of war in Iraq. Very many Iraqis have felt the effects of conflict in the region, but Dr. Khalaf is one of the leaders that took action to improve the conditions of his country. Known for both his relentless hard work and his warmth, his modesty proves just how thoroughly committed and confident he is in his crucial role in the re-development of Basra, the sea’s gateway to Iraq.

Dr. Yasin Ahmed Abbas al-Mamouri on the far left.

We would like to thank the President of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society, Dr. Yasin Ahmed Abbas al-Mamouri. With his approval, IRCS became one of our first partners in our missions in Iraq. He had the foresight to support our programs trusting in their potential to create far-reaching benefits to those in need. His organization supported our missions by providing transportation, logistics, offices, confidence and reliability in every field of our humanitarian missions.

Most recently, they have committed to sponsor our program for street children, aiming to take them off the streets and back into schools. The have supported us in our attempt to find land for a new pediatric oncology center. They are also on board with our program to aid children that make their livings from the dump yards in the outskirts of cities.

In a time when Iraq is in a phase of critical revival and growth, leadership from individuals such as Dr. Yasin al-Mamouri who are able to provide the vision and hard work necessary is critical not only to NGO’s like LLI, but for the nation as a whole. We are grateful to all of Dr. Yasin Ahmed Abbas al-Mamouri and the Iraqi Red Crescent Society’s support. Our missions could not have been accomplished without them and we hope to continue our partnership in our future missions.

Posted November 8, 2011 by matt
Original Post here

Director of Health in the Basrah Province, Dr. Riyadh, initiated talks and invited LLI, ICHF and PLC to plan the program that will take place in teh Alsader Teaching Hospital. The program will be coordinated by the head of the hospital, Dr. Abed Aun and cardiac surgeons Dr. Dhiya Kareem and Dr. Abdul Zahra.

This unprecedented decision in the history of the Ministry of Health could not have occurred without the work of his excellency Dr. Majeed Amin Jameel.

Living Light International is developing a pilot project to aid these children who were never able to attend school because of their obligation at the dump yards to help maintain their families. Partnering with the Iraqi Red Crescent and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the project will take 15-20 girls ages eight to thirteen to build their self-esteem through programs in drama, basic reading and writing, vocational skills, and connection to the world through computer technology.

LLI will coordinate and direct the material and logistics for the projects while the Iraqi Red Crescent will provide transportation, a meal, and a day’s wage for the children. The Ministry of Labor and Social affairs will provide the instructors and the venues for the program.

The project will begin early next year. The work will be documented and presented by the television station Alhurra TV.