By Cindy Fogleman | Executive Director (pro bono)
Thanks to YOU, our first "Hope Bus" in Iraq has been a smashing success!
The first year of operations just ended and the Hope Bus is busting at the seams. Although it was designed for 40 children, as many as 50-55 climb aboard each day for tutoring and a nutritious lunch in one of Baghdad's poorest neighborhoods. They also get hygiene lessons and health care, and staff work with families to end child labor. To top it off, kids get to enjoy the normal delights of childhood with games and gifts.
The impact of the Hope Bus is revealed in the heartwarming stories of Hope Bus kids helping other children, of kids who graduate from the Hope Bus to enter public school, and of kids who are finally liberated from child labor. The story of "Mona" (12) makes us smile: (name changed for privacy)
Mona was one of the smartest kids on the Hope Bus. She had been forced to drop out of school because she had to work selling tissues on Baghdad’s streets. Now that she was able to attend the Hope Bus, staff noticed that Mona always asked for extra notebooks and pens to take home. After she repeated her request several times, staff asked her why. That's when they learned that Mona was leading daily classes for a group of six children near her home, sharing with them what she learned on the Hope Bus!
How sweet that Mona was sharing the gift of learning she received with other children. We want to do more too! ICF is pleased to announce that we have received a gift of $20,000 to purchase and retrofit a second bus. To fill the seats on Hope Bus with precious children, we need approximately $4,000 per month to hire two teachers and a social worker, buy nutritious food, and purchase educational and recreation supplies.
That means about $20 per week - or $80 a month - for a scholarship for an orphan or other at-risk, street kid. What if ICF could open the doors of a new Hope Bus 2 this September for an exciting "Back to School" experience for 50 more children? Can we make it happen? Yes....with your help....
All in,
Cindy
By Cindy Fogleman | Executive Director (pro bono)
By Cindy Fogleman | ICF Executive Director (Volunteer)
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