Zana Plays Football Two Months After Returning From ♥ Surgery
June 2, 2009 by Jeremy · Leave a Comment




In February Zana entered the Anadolu Sağlık Merkezi hospital in Istanbul, Turkey and underwent one of the most amazing, dangerous heart surgeries out there. Today, thanks to our partners at Kurdistan Save the Children, all of your kind Buy Shoes. Save Lives. purchases, and donations to PLC he is playing football like all the other kids in his neighborhood with barely a care in the world.
All these pictures are courtesy of the wonderful pro bono photographer Matt Addington and PLC’s Followthrough program, whereby we make sure that kids are not sent to surgery only to return to Iraq and be forgotten.
From Airport to Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey)
February 15, 2009 by Jessica · Leave a Comment
Right now we’re driving to the hospital from the airport in the ASM shuttle. After traveling all night these kids are definitely tired, but overall in good spirits. Taban showed up in pig tails at the Suli airport as we began our travels. Ranu came with her baby doll that she loves carrying around and picking up as though she is a real baby. Zana came entertained with an electronic handheld game. Ahmed is as sweet and shy as ever, slowly taking everything in around him. They all love the shiny star stickers. Zana is even wearing one on his first forehead.
Waiting in the lobby just before boarding Ahmed was fascinated by the airplane just outside of the windows. He took in every part with great awe. Once we landed in Istanbul, I wondered what Taban, coming from a small village, was thinking as we walked through the Istanbul airport. With great enthusiasm she looked from one conveyer belt to the next and then insisted on pushing a luggage cart, even in her tired state. I think it was as fun for her as any game could have been.




