“I have many dreams” - Stories from the Mosul Girls Center

My name is Eman and I am 12 years old. I moved to Qawsiyat recently after ISIS destroyed our houses. Before that, I had my father with me and we used to play house. Every day I wake up at 6 and wait patiently until 8 when I can go to the center.

I play and learn but when I feel sad, I go to Ms. Zina and speak to her and she makes me feel better.

When I return home, I eat lunch and take a nap. Then I tell my mom, dad, and sister the lessons I learned in the center and how much I benefit from them. My family don’t usually let me out in the neighborhood as it could be scary at night.

The one thing I would change about my life is to learn more and begin to define my goals just as Ms. Zina taught us. The one thing I would never change is the center and I fear for the day, in five years, when I have to graduate from it.

“I have many dreams, such as becoming a doctor, but my financial situation is weak yet I won’t let that stop me and I will accomplish my dreams because I am setting a plan for them. ”

The worst time of my life was at the time of the liberation, because of the sound of bombings and gun fire.

The one thing I would like the world to know is that I will be a doctor some day.

ICF is a non-partisan, non-sectarian tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charity, rated Platinum on Guidestar and listed on the US Government’s Combined Federal Campaign (#95191). To learn more, visit www.iraqichildren.org, email Executive Director McRae at liz@iraqichildren.org, or call 703.635.7990.