On April 29, 2008, Imad Hamzah Al-Daeni arrived home from work. As he stepped out of his car, he noticed his five-year old son Hamzah playing outside their home. Suddenly there was a gigantic explosion.
“My son Hamzah was badly injured, covered with blood, stomach and intestines cut out of his belly. The car was destroyed and part of my house and the houses next to it. I carried my son Hamzah...and ran to the nearest hospital to my home. The doctors told me: 'What do you want us to do with him? We cannot do anything; he will die.' I was crying, begging; they agreed to take him, they took him into the operating room. The operation lasted for 4-5 hours. When he came out, he was in a catastrophic condition; all wrapped in bandages and tubes, and his right leg was plastered.”
While Hamzah survived the operation, he lost his right leg and has had continuous medical problems since that April day when a US bombing changed his family’s lives. In a recent interview Imad related their continuing suffering: “My family lives in too difficult psychological conditions because of what happened to Hamzah and all of us. My wife and my children are unhappy. Seeing Hamzah, my family suffers with him. When he gets mad because he can not do certain movements, his brothers and sisters do not know what to do or how to do it. We are deprived of many things, financially and psychologically.”
Hamzah's story is one of thousands throughout Iraq as a result of eight years of US occupation. However, you can help! HCC is bringing Hamzah and his father to Grand Rapids in Spring 2011 so that Hamzah can get the urgent medical attention he needs, which is unavailable to him in Iraq. To get involved, download the project flyer, email HCC to volunteer, or send a donation.
“My son Hamzah was badly injured, covered with blood, stomach and intestines cut out of his belly. The car was destroyed and part of my house and the houses next to it. I carried my son Hamzah...and ran to the nearest hospital to my home. The doctors told me: 'What do you want us to do with him? We cannot do anything; he will die.' I was crying, begging; they agreed to take him, they took him into the operating room. The operation lasted for 4-5 hours. When he came out, he was in a catastrophic condition; all wrapped in bandages and tubes, and his right leg was plastered.”
While Hamzah survived the operation, he lost his right leg and has had continuous medical problems since that April day when a US bombing changed his family’s lives. In a recent interview Imad related their continuing suffering: “My family lives in too difficult psychological conditions because of what happened to Hamzah and all of us. My wife and my children are unhappy. Seeing Hamzah, my family suffers with him. When he gets mad because he can not do certain movements, his brothers and sisters do not know what to do or how to do it. We are deprived of many things, financially and psychologically.”
Hamzah's story is one of thousands throughout Iraq as a result of eight years of US occupation. However, you can help! HCC is bringing Hamzah and his father to Grand Rapids in Spring 2011 so that Hamzah can get the urgent medical attention he needs, which is unavailable to him in Iraq. To get involved, download the project flyer, email HCC to volunteer, or send a donation.
GET INVOLVED
Head over the the Help section to learn about ways to use your skills as part of our inclusive and passionate team of volunteers.
ABOUT US
Want to know more? Get the details on our mission and partners in the About section.
CONTACT US
Please visit the Contact page if you’d like to get in touch directly. We look forward to hearing from you.
HAMZAH EVENT
We're holding a benefit for Hamzah on April 26. Find out more on our Events section.
Head over the the Help section to learn about ways to use your skills as part of our inclusive and passionate team of volunteers.
ABOUT US
Want to know more? Get the details on our mission and partners in the About section.
CONTACT US
Please visit the Contact page if you’d like to get in touch directly. We look forward to hearing from you.
HAMZAH EVENT
We're holding a benefit for Hamzah on April 26. Find out more on our Events section.
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Created by Open Hand Studios
© 2011 Healing Children of Conflict. All rights reserved.
Images courtesy of Cole and Ann Miller. Used by permission.
Created by Open Hand Studios
© 2011 Healing Children of Conflict. All rights reserved.
Images courtesy of Cole and Ann Miller. Used by permission.