Iraqi Children Foundation

TO INTERVENE WITH LOVE AND HOPE IN THE LIVES OF IRAQI CHILDREN WHO ARE VULNERABLE TO ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION BY EXTREMISTS, CRIMINALS, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKERS.

STREET LAWYERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND ANTI-TRAFFICKING: THE STREET LAWYERS COMPLETED 499 LEGAL CASES IN 2022, OF WHICH 243 INVOLVED LEGAL PROTECTION AND REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN ARRESTED FOR STEALING, DRUGS, OR OTHER OFFENSES, SOMETIMES UNJUSTLY; AND 256 INVOLVED OBTAINING LEGAL DOCUMENTS CHILDREN NEED TO ENROLL IN SCHOOL AND ACCESS GOVERNMENT BENEFITS. THE STREET LAWYERS ANTI-TRAFFICKING TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILD TRAFFICKING, INCLUDING SEX TRAFFICKING, LABOR TRAFFICKING, AND HUMAN ORGANS TRAFFICKING. IN 2022, THE TEAM HANDLED 93 CASES, IN THE FACE OF A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING CRIMES RELATED TO IDP CAMP CLOSURES, WEAK LAW ENFORCEMENT, POVERTY AND OTHER FACTORS. NOT ONLY IS THE PROGRAM PROVIDING CRITICAL PROTECTION TO CHILDREN, IT IS HELPING CHANGE THE ATTITUDES OF JUDGES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE TEAM ARE ALSO WORKING HARD TO RAISE AWARENESS OF TRAFFICKING RISKS THROUGH DIRECT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

OUTREACH BUSES AND SCHOOL TRANSITIONS: ICF CONTINUED TO OPERATE TWO HOPE BUSES AND OPENED A THIRD ONE IN SEPTEMBER 2022. EACH BUS IS A COLORFUL, CHILD-FRIENDLY CLASSROOM THAT SERVES AN ESTIMATED 50+ POOR ORPHANS AND STREET KIDS EACH SCHOOL DAY WITH EDUCATION, NUTRITION, HEALTH CARE, SOCIAL SERVICES, PRACTICAL LIFE LESSONS, AND FUN. IN 2022, 173 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED (FULL OR PART TIME) IN THE HOPE BUS PROGRAM WITH SOME 27,000 NUTRITIOUS MEALS SERVED. SINCE THE PROGRAM STARTED IN 2017, 630 CHILDREN HAVE PARTICIPATED (FULL AND PART TIME) IN HOPE BUS EDUCATION AND RELATED PROGRAMS." ICF ALSO COMPLETED THE FIRST FULL YEAR OF A "SCHOOL TRANSITIONS" PROGRAM TO FOLLOWUP WITH STUDENTS AFTER THEY LEAVE THE HOPE BUSES IN ORDER TO HELP SUSTAIN CRITICAL GAINS MADE IN EDUCATING, PROTECTING, AND NURTURING OUR HOPE BUS PROGRAM STUDENTS AND GRADUATES, NOW MORE THAN 600 CHILDREN. SERVICES INCLUDE MINIBUS TRANSPORTATION TO PUBLIC SCHOOL, SCHOOL ENROLLMENT SUPPORT, AND A STARTING SCHOOL PACK, WITH STATIONERY, HYGIENE SUPPLIES, SCHOOL CLOTHES, AND SHOES. THERE IS A SMALL, MOBILE TRANSITIONS TEAM TO MONITOR HOPE BUS GRADUATES FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS, AND AN EMERGENCY FUND, TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS INCLUDING MEDICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT, CLOTHING, NUTRITION, AND SHELTER.

MOSUL ADOLESCENT GIRLS CENTER AND OTHER PROGRAMS: IN 2022, ICF CONTINUED FUNDING THE OPERATING COSTS FOR A SAFE SPACE FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN MOSUL. THIS CENTER PROVIDES SOCIAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE GIRLS, AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND A SENSE OF BELONGING. MANY GIRLS IN THIS AREA HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN DISPLACED AND ARE ONLY NOW RETURNING TO MOSUL. THERE IS INCREASED NEED FOR SUPPORT FOR GIRLS EXPERIENCING NEGATIVE COPING MECHANISMS, TRAUMA, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. GIRLS AT THE CENTER HAVE PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, SEWING AND CRAFTS, READING, AND COMPUTER LITERACY. THEY ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO SOCIAL WORKERS, A LIBRARY, AND MEDICAL CARE. GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL THERAPY IS PROVIDED. IN 2022, SEWING MACHINES WERE ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE CENTER, AND REFURBISHMENT ACTIVITIES WERE UNDERTAKEN. APPROXIMATELY 50 GIRLS ARE SERVED AT THE CENTER EACH DAY.