Needed: Love for a Baghdad orphanage
Thirteen-year-old Marwa never cried even when I asked her to relive the night her parents were executed in their home. It surprised me. I wondered how she’d become so tough so quickly.
"Where were you when the gunmen came?" I asked Marwa as we sat together in a classroom in Baghdad's Alwiya Orphanage where she now lives with her two younger sisters Alliya, 10, and Sora, 6.
"I was asleep upstairs when I head the shots," Marwa said. "I ran downstairs and saw my mother. She was shot all over and was dead. My father was barely alive."
Her father died two days later of multiple gunshot wounds.
I swallowed hard and asked what happened after that. 
"We lived with my uncle for about a year, and then came here."
"Why? Why did you have to come here?" I asked. I hated asking the question, but it bothered me that her uncle would send the girls to live in an orphanage. I wanted to know how Marwa rationalized it. She was very matter of fact.
"He couldn't afford to keep us, so he brought us here."
Out of chaos, routine
The orphanage was surprisingly clean and well organized. The girls all looked healthy and reasonably well cared for. Their lives were very regimented.
7:30 a.m. Wake up, followed by breakfast of bread and cheese.
8: 30 a.m. The girls go to school.
12:30 p.m. The girls return to the orphanage for lunch: chicken, rice and soda on the day we were there. (So many of the girls suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders that a caregiver at the orphanage told me they no longer serve drinks like soda at night because too many girls were wetting their beds.)
Alliya Hussein, 10, and Sora Hussein, 6, at Baghdad's Alwiya Orphanage. NBC News, Steve LoMonaco
1:00 p.m. Half-hour playtime or rest.
1:30 p.m. Two hours of extra study in classrooms at the orphanage.
3:30 p.m. a break. Some girls shower… others do laundry
4:00 p.m. Two more hours of study.
6:00 p.m. Free time. The girls can play or watch TV when the electricity works.
9:00 p.m. More chores, and then bedtime.
Little love
The girls we spoke to didn’t complain about all the studying, or the food or anything else I expected them to talk about. Most of all, with amazingly mature self-reflection, they said they were lonely.
All day, the girls would come up and hold my hand. I would talk to one girl and suddenly find another one come up behind me and slip her hand into my palm, or take hold my elbow.
"They need attention and there is no love here in Baghdad," a social worker told me. I hadn’t thought of it before.
Gun shots still
The experience had a profound affect on our entire crew. Our soundman Steve Lomonaco took dozens of pictures. The Nightly News foreign editor ML Flynn suggested that he post some of the pictures and write about what he felt.
I am lucky. I have a venue to talk about what I see and feel. It is a wonderful outlet, a way for me to release some of the stress. I am including some of Steve’s pictures and thoughts in this blog.
Tonight Marwa, Alliya, Sora and the 53 other girls at Baghdad’s Alwiya Orphanage are finishing up their extra studies and trying to go to sleep.
There are still gunshots throughout Baghdad everyday. Marwa said every time she hears the bang of muzzle fire she is reminded of the night her parents were killed. The lingering violence is also playing psychological games on her. Now when Marwa hears gunshots in the streets she said she thinks people are trying to shoot at her.
Girls with a teacher at Baghdad's Alwiya Orphanage. NBC News, Steve LoMonaco
The caregiver was right. Baghdad is a city where there is as little love as peace.
Covering the story
Veteran NBC News’ soundman Steve LoMonaco’s describes covering the story at Baghdad's Alwiya Orphanage:
We walked through a dark hall out to a courtyard where the girls, all orphans, were waiting for lunch.
As soon as we walked into the yard, chaos erupted. The kids rushed over and started to grab our hands, following us everywhere.
They were all saying, "Hay Meester, what’s your name?" They crowded around us everywhere we went. They seemed starved for attention. They were all smiles, but you could see sadness in their eyes.
Our shoot went well, although a little harder then usual because of all the kids jumping around. But it was a lot more enjoyable for the same reason. They all love to pose for pictures.
Most of us carry small digital still cameras, so when we had the chance we took pictures. After you would take a picture, the girls would run up to you so they could see it in the monitor. Then the next one would say, "Hey meester take my picture."
We ended up staying at the orphanage for over four hours and having an unexpectedly fun time.
By the time we left, this grizzled war weary crew was all smiles. Some of us even had thoughts of taking one of them home, but we all hoped that by airing this story it would inspire people to help. And maybe change some of the girls’ lives.
See Richard Engel's full report from Baghdad's Alwiya Orphanage on NBC's Nightly News with Brian Williams on Friday evening.
Just another day in Baghdad
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Love the story I too wish I could bring them home however being a Christian I probably couldn't do it. I pray some Muslims will see them and adopt them.
maribeth doe necedah wi (Sent May 26, 2006 2:52:01 PM)
Out of curiousity (and as adoptive parents), I must ask: are these children available for adoption/foster care outside of Iraq? Many children are sponsored every year to come to the USA as hosted children.
Also, is there an address where people can donate items/send letters to the children in this orphanage?
Please provide more information about this issue. Although tragic to read, it would be nice to have an opportunity to provide a happy ending.
Thanks!
Me (Sent May 26, 2006 2:58:43 PM)
Very nice to see what a difference this made to the girls.
Yes...bring one home. If we all can do this...we would all be helping a child.
Bring one for me also...One that would love to go to school.:):)
Sheil Singh (Sent May 26, 2006 3:06:59 PM)
O please. tell us how we can help. What can we do for these precious little ones? Which aid organizations are set up to get aid and staff to these orphanages?
Pam, Shoreline, WA (Sent May 26, 2006 3:07:14 PM)
Can we adopt these children?
Are there any agencies involved?
Mary Gilbert (Sent May 26, 2006 3:07:54 PM)
What could be done to help? You mention that this story might inspire....but sending money doesn't increase the love there. what is your suggestion?
Kristen Kalonick (Sent May 26, 2006 3:08:32 PM)
My heart goes out to the children of Iraq. All children deserve to feel safe and loved. As it is impossible me to be there physically to show the love that I do feel for them, please tell me what it is possible to do. Do they need money, clothes, school books, etc..?
Jessica Sun Valley Idaho (Sent May 26, 2006 3:11:46 PM)
Good story, but as I finished reading it I couldn't help but think "And????? It's nice to say 'we hope to inspire people to help', but you give absolutely no indication of how they might do that'"
if I wanted to donate, how would I go about that? If I was interested in volunteering, who would I appply to? What If I was interested in giving one of these deserving girls a good home?????
You left out the most important part of the story.
Nanci Cook (Sent May 26, 2006 3:18:27 PM)
Can we write letters to these lovely children? Can we help with donations to provide clothes, books, personal items. Please let me know how we can get this information out to the public to assist these lovely children and give them the love and support they all need and deserve.
Terry Toomey (Sent May 26, 2006 3:25:39 PM)
YOUR ARTICE ON THE ORPHANAGE FOR GIRLS REALLY TOUCHED ME.I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO SEND ALL THESE GIRLS A GIFT BOX OF THINGS. WHAT ADDRESS COULD I USE??? SHARON MUELLER 1367 BURNS DRIVE ELGIN IL 60120 USA
SHARON MUELLER ELGIN IL USA (Sent May 26, 2006 3:27:12 PM)
stay strong ladies!
angeleyesblue (Sent May 26, 2006 3:32:07 PM)
I am tired of not being able to help. Putting these stories out online without even a suggestion of how to help makes my sympathies seem half baked. I know there are folks well versed in humanitarian aid, connecting people who want to help to those who need it. Running these stories through their links would help those of us who don't work in humanitarian fields and haven't a clue how to reach out to those we could help.
Jesse, Panama City FL (Sent May 26, 2006 3:35:38 PM)
Richard, thank you for sharing such a touching and critical story with us. While it's easy to get all caught up with the political side of the Iraq situation, your story brought a very real and very human element to bear. The innocent children of war are at an age when they can experience love and perhaps find a real alternative to expressing emotions vs the violence that they have grown up with and experienced first hand. While adolescents in the US foster care / orphanage systems have it tough since very few adults are interested in adopting non-infants, I can only imagine the road ahead for these young men and women. If there is an organization running the orphanage that can get letters to the children and/or accept donations can you share that with us ? Thank you again for your very balanced and thorough reporting and for the risk you are taking to be in a zone of military operations reaching out to those who have been most affected by violence. Please be safe.
Tony Chmiel, Arthur, Illinois (Sent May 26, 2006 3:37:32 PM)
Is there a way to send supplies (clothes, dry goods, etc) to these children?
They are so beautiful. Thank you for telling their story...I hope that somehow, someway it will make a difference in their lives.
Aimee (Sent May 26, 2006 3:38:35 PM)
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE ALAWIA ORPHANAGE,HOW DO I GO ABOUT IT? IF THE UNITED STATES GOVT HAS A PROBLEM TELL THEM TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ME.
STEVE JELLEN SR WEST SAYVILLE NEW YORK (Sent May 26, 2006 3:39:45 PM)
Thank you for the moving story. My son returned from Baghdad 4 months ago, he went as often as he could to the orphanges, we sent hundreds of stuffed animals and american candy for them. They were warm and appreciative, it is amazing the spirit these young ones have. My 26 yr old son left part of his heart in Baghdad, he cared for the children. Thank you for the great reporting, and sharing with us openly. Kind Regards,
tamara archuleta (Sent May 26, 2006 3:41:07 PM)
This makes me so sad knowing that these kids did nothing to deserve this. How does punishing these kids make the insurgents feel strong?
They should be ashamed of themselves and god hope they receive mercy on their souls for their actions.
I wish I could take everyone of them home right now.
John (Sent May 26, 2006 3:44:22 PM)
Beautifully done report. I cried at the same time I was smiling. I never watch tv, but will watch the report tonight. I have a number of friends who have adopted children from various countries around the world, some of whom have become leaders in the adoption community. My wife and I have talked about it. I emailed your story to her. Thanks. Keep up the good work and be safe.
J. Mark Lane, Mamaroneck, New York (Sent May 26, 2006 3:53:39 PM)
I will like to adopt one or two of these girls.
Please let me know how I can go about doing this.
Please conta me with an answer. I realy want to help
Pamela Pegus Elmont, New York (Sent May 26, 2006 3:54:57 PM)
What can be done? Is it writing to them or donations, what will make a difference and how should one go about it?
mary Beckham (Sent May 26, 2006 4:00:28 PM)
Please tell us what we can do. I would love to adopt all of them, but alas, cannot do. Is there anything else they need? Would letters, cards, etc help? Can they read English? Toiletries? Shoes? And how would we get it to them?
Marie Adkins (Sent May 26, 2006 4:04:42 PM)
Richard,I enjoy reading your blogs about Bagdad. I loved the story on the orphanage.Is there a way for me to be a pen-pal? I would really like that. Please keep up the good work,reporting the success that we don't get enough over here.
Lucy Lance Greenville,S.C. (Sent May 26, 2006 4:06:13 PM)
What a wonderful story, and how these children must have touched the hearts of men who have probably seen some gruesome sites since covering the war. This kind of commentary should make everyone in the USA appreciate our freedom, our homes, our families, our friends and the life we're fortunate to have.
God Bless all of you for your work and dedication in bringing us such news in the midst of horror.
Donna Hardy, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent May 26, 2006 4:06:16 PM)
Can anyone in the United States send money or items to the orphanage for these girls? Is there an address or some way to contact the administration to set up a sponsorship? Where can I get more information?
Thank you.
Pat Bottin, Las Vegas, NV (Sent May 26, 2006 4:12:55 PM)
Are there efforts being made to have these girls adopted? Does Iraq allow international adoptions? What do these girls WANT? Do they want to be adopted? In Iraq? Out of Iraq? I want to help somehow.....I have 3 adopted children, and I know the difference love makes.
Kathleen Fallon, Santa Fe, NM (Sent May 26, 2006 4:20:48 PM)
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