Hope Buses
About the Program
Our eye-catching “Hope Buses” are ordinary, used buses that are converted into colorful, child friendly classrooms. Each bus serves approximately 50 desperately poor orphans and street kids with tutoring, nutrition, health cases, social services, and childhood fun. Children typically attend classes on the Hope Buses for one year, during which they are prepared with the educational and life skills to then enroll in regular schools. Currently, three Hope Buses are in full-time operation.
In 2021, ICF also launched a minibus service, to provide transport for Hope Bus graduates to and from regular school. This service is provided free of charge to all Hope Bus graduates, and a social worker in employed to monitor pick ups and drop offs. The goal of this program extension is to encourage participation in the education system, by removing obstacles to school attendance.
Program Location: Baghdad
Program Goals
Through the Hope Bus program, our goals are to successfully eliminate malnutrition, educate (through tutoring and providing access to school), and provide basic health and psychosocial care for all children under the care of the program. ICF also aims to facilitate the transition of children from Hope Bus programs to regular school, by providing enrollment and transport support.
How you can help:
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Hope Bus — Before
Hope Bus — After
Case Studies: Outcomes in Action
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Hussein’s Hope Bus Story
“Hussein* used to come every day to Hope Bus 2, and stand far away watching the children of the bus while they were playing. One day the teacher asked Hussein to register on the bus, but Hussein started crying and ran away. The teacher visited Hussein’s house and met his family, telling them that Hussein should come and join the children on Hope Bus 1. Hussein’s mother told the teacher that Hussein was ashamed of his appearance, as he suffers from deformities in the face and head as a result of being burned when he was younger. Hussein worried that the other children would make fun of his appearance. A social worker spoke with Hussein and convinced him that the other children would welcome him with love and consider him their friend, and would never make fun of him. She also explained that a person is not judged by his external appearance, but by his morals, especially his personality and work. Hussein agreed to join the children of the Hope Bus, and now spends his days having a fun and happy time with the other children.”
*Name changed to protect privacy
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Ahmed’s Hope Bus Story
“Ahmed* is a wonderful boy, helping other children and joining in the fun and activities of the Hope Bus. One day, Ahmed came to the Hope Bus carrying a large container filled with milk. He said that he brought the milk from their cow to share with his fellow students. You see, Ahmed and his mother make their living by selling milk from their cow but, on that day, they decided not to sell it but donate it to the Hope Bus children. Their generosity in the midst of their poverty is an inspiration.”
*Name changed to protect privacy
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Your gift provides life-changing support that helps very vulnerable children. Together we can break cycles of poverty and invest in the future of Iraq: its children.