SEATTLE - Fifine stands along side
friends, relatives and strangers. Her arms grasp the food with a smile
of gratitude and a look of tender gratefulness. Her former life as a schoolteacher
never prepared her for the life she is forced to live today. But even in
the midst of sorrow and hunger, her smile remains and her joy for the future
brings hope to others.
Over the past few years, Fifine's life
has shifted from having a successful career to not being able to make her
mere $6 rent each month. Her story is like thousands who live in and around
the cities of Baghdad and Mosul.
Many families who had previously relied on the Iraqi government for aid were forgotten in the midst of the conflict until World Concern and its partners stepped in to help. Families most in need are now being given monthly food rations including wheat, rice, oil, tea, canned fish, and meat, beans, milk and pasta.
"Food is a great need for many thousands of Iraqi people right now," said World Concern Director of Relief Kelly Miller who recently returned from Iraq. "These rations help families who have lost everything including the most basic resource, food."
Over the next six months, World Concern plans to provide further relief and support to struggling families. In addition to providing food aid, long-term goals include small business development and vocational training.
For now, Fifine has enough food to eat and is at peace with her situation. Like many in Iraq, faith is the forefront in her life. "God will provide," she says repeatedly with a graceful smile.
World Concern has been providing life, opportunity and hope to families in need since 1955. For more information or to make a donation, call (800) 755-5022 or visit www.worldconcern.org<http://www.worldconcern.org>. Gifts by check or money order can also be mailed to World Concern, Iraqi Relief, 19303 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133.
Media Contact: Teri Johnson
Director of Media Relations, World Concern
direct: 206-546-7386, cell: 206-963-5988
Note: Photos and Interviews with World Concern's Director of Relief, Mr. Kelly Miller, are available.