Dear Richard Engel: Thank you for your excellent story on Iraqi's war children. I admire your courage and compassion. Children are so helpless and at everyone's mercy no matter where they live in this crazy, mixed up world and do not deserve the sorrow, losses, and tragedies they must endure because of war and man's hatred for one another. The American message of "We are the world, we are the children" does not apply to the children in Iraq, does it? I admire musicians like Luciano Pavarotti and David Bowie who are two of the sponsors of the organization WAR CHILD in London, England. Their work should be brought to the attention of the American public in one of the MSNBC Nightly news broadcasts or DATELINE. The website address for this philanthropic agency is http://www.warchild.org and there is a branch office in Washington, DC. I would like to collect photographs of Iraqi children and their drawings, writings, and poetry and make a book like Robert Capa did in his collection of photographs of Children of War, Children of Peace if I could find a sponsor. It would be great if there could be an exhibition of the war drawings of Iraqi children at the United Nations in NYC to bring attention to the plight of the children you made very real to us in your excellent report. Perhaps an exhibition of war photos and children's drawings would touch the hearts and minds of rich, corporate Americans and make them more charitable towards Iraq. It is my belief that the USA should bring our troops back home and the UN should put peacekeeping forces in Iraq to stop the insurgency and give Iraq time to heal from all of the sanctions and misery that have occurred there in the past 10 years. Iraq needs to take care of its children, the best hope for a peaceful and democratic Iraq by providing them with education and a safe country to live in. Otherwise, the children in Iraq will grow up to be terrorists who hate Americans and the vicious cycle of war will never end. It would be nice if there was a cultural and educational exchange plus discussion between children of Iraq and children of America so that they could express what they want the future to be for both of our countries and the world. President John F. Kennedy said at a speech at Amhurst that, "here on earth, God's work must truly be our own." You are doing God's work in a country where Jesus walked. Please be careful. My prayers for protection and blessings are with you and your news team and our soldiers in Iraq...also, the innocent children of Iraq who deserve a better life, free from hunger and fear. God bless you, Mr. Richard Engel.

I want to say it could be dangerous to adopt these children. They could turn out the same way these 17 young adult males did who intended to bomb Toronto the other day.
Unfortunately we of Canada & the U.S. will carry blame for many civilian deaths whether guilty or not.
I am very sorry for the children, but can you trust thst they will not still be angry at their loss of parents when they reach their teens or later?
How can we be sure & until we are I would not consider adoption of any of these children.
Their law is actually safeguarding people from countries with good hearts.

how about the children in the states of military personnel who have died in the war on terror????

I, too, was very sad to see the faces of sad children. Children with no parents is always sad. Children in orphanages never have any parents. This story was aired over Memorial Day weekend. Why didn't you visit an American orphanage. The sad children here who have no parents because they have and died in the name of freedom. I agree with the previous writer, Richard Engel has lost perspective. Freedom is not free. We are saving the rest of the Iraqi children from genocide. To re-air a fluffy heartfelt orphan story that could have been produced by Entertainment Tonight is irresponsible. What exactly was the message of the story? That war is horror? We all know that. Especially those who are fighting it.

Please keep this kind of reporting coming. Our folks need to see, feel and touch these people over there through NBC team. Good reporting. If possible show some kids at schools/play there? I help feed Americas kids lunch every day in school so I/we can relate to kids.

As I fundraiser, I must say that I found nomorevictims.org to be an awful site. There was no information about the organization and its leaders--just horrific use of photos of maimed children! It certainly didn't compel me to donate. And it didn't really tell me what a gift of $XXXX could do.

Since we are in the country trying to "save it" why can't we adopt the children. Aren't we contributing enough to be able to adopt? What does it take? Most of our tax dollars are going to help this country-at least we should be able to adopt.

These kinds of reports are what should be on the news more often. It was really eye opening. It shows that soliders aren't the only victims (even though my heart goes out to them too). To know what those girls went through-seeing their parents die. And no one should have to live the way they do. It makes me feel blessed, once again, to be a citizen in America. If I could only go over there and see them. I wish I could communicate with them, although love is universal. I just wish I could do something besides donate money...they need love.

No one wants to see children suffer. I thought we are in Iraq trying to develop a democratic system which will hopefully change this kids life for the better. I do not understand why american orphans are not highlighted more in your stories. Lets take care of our own kids first. I guess the liberal media goes for ratings vs wanting to help our own children??

I just want to say that tonights story (9/1/06)really touched my heart. I wish in my heart there were a way that I could help any child that has lost there parents, it is too sad for words. I do know that tonights story has brought me here and I am willing to open my pocket up and help these poor children by contributing some money. I also will pray for all the little victims out there. God Bless the children and the young men and women fighting the war.

I viewed the rerun of this horribly sad story and would take one of these girls into my home in a heartbeat. That not being allowed, has anyone made any headway into setting-up a pen pal network, or better yet, a sponsorship similar to the"Save The Children" program? I would be eager to participate in any direct communication with them as they need to know that there are people out there who care about them directly.

I would love to adopt one of these children. How terrible for Dunya to be abandoned by her mother; and yet how desperate the situation for a mother to feel she needed to abandon her child because her own life was even more uncertain. I have two children of my own; yet I was moved to tears by what I saw!

If there is Justice in this world, I hope these hateful smug Republicans and their leaders meet the same fate as what they have meted out to these poor innocents!

Meantime, apart from contributing money to UNICEF or some other Organization; which I have; I feel frustrated at being able to do so little to help!

Hi Richard:
I too saw the show tonight and was my heart was broken-ecspecially in regards to the girl who used the cell phone to call her mother to find out she moved............I agree with with the woman who asked if there was pen pal site-I would be interested in supporting the girls via e-mail if this becomes possible please let me know-my prayers are with all those innocent children.

Hi Mr Richard,

I would really appreciate that if you could e-mail me and advise me that how Muslim Canadian families can adopt these children from IRAQ.

Well i as a child myself feel bad for these kids. but if ur a Muslim in USA u still cant adopt them? i was thinking i saw this on tv it was sad and true but some of the kids were less then 9 years without head covers. anyway i was just wondering what u guys who say American kids need the same feeling's of security. but then they dont here about car bombings and gunfire every single day do they. they don't feel secured like here where their are people who can acctually adopt them. i think adoption to the Iraqi children should be permitted. everyone has their own idea's.

Please Richard, help all Americans see what we are doing there. I have already experienced the loss of one Marine in Nov 2005, I have one in Baghdad today September 1, 2006. Of most importance, I am a mother who would love all of these children. PLEASE we have to find a way to help them!!! The Red Cross is NOT the answer.

ANYTIME you see a deserted child....and see the heartache that it brings, it truly tears at your heart. The story was well done and yes, my heart does ache for these little abandoned ones. I will be praying for them. It truly brings "home" the sadness of children who either don't know who their parents are....or ones that have been uprooted to live away from them due to divorce or due to war.

I do agree with some of the others, Richard, regarding giving funds and not knowing if it will be
properly administered. There is an orphanage near to me....and I believe that I will start there. I can only help one person at a time....and this is a good place to start. I am 68, so adoption is out of the question.....however, I can "bloom where I'm planted" and be a good "adopted Nana" to one of these little ones.

Thanks for good reporting! Keep it up!

I want to thank Richard for doing a segment on this. Regardless of the the problems and politics we have here in the US we AND the world needs to be reminded of these children. AND of all the orphaned & forgotten children in every country. We who have roofs over our heads, food in our cupboard, clean water to drink and money to pay for all this should be thankful we have this everyday. We take the liberties and luxuries we have for granted. Children should not have to live in fear and be orphaned like this. Unfortunately that is a part of this world and part of war. But at least it is a reassuring thought that there are people who care about these children and are trying to make difference. So my fellow americans be thankful for what you have and remember that compared to these children & every person, in every country who do not have these basic things, we live like royalty on easy street.

Dear Richard, I watched tonight what I have long since imagined...and feared. I've been on the int'l adoption websites before tonight but now, I can no longer accept the obstacles. My husband and I are young college graduates - we would give up our future graduate degrees to provide homes for any of these children. What can we do??!!!!

How profoundly sad to see what the war has done to the lives of these children...do you believe Richard, that the people who has the power to stop this war, sees these children and are touch in any way? All we have left to do is pray. Pray that they are touched by the innocent lives that have suffered and continue to suffer caused by this war.
Take care of yourself, keep up the good work and God bless you for reporting from the backyard of who is paying the biggest price for this war, the children of Iraq. God bless these children.

Dear Richard,
My husband and I want to help - we have been part of many global outreaches - we want to do more than write checks. What? How? And, out of my HUGE respect for your work, any personal recommendations? What more?

my heart hurting a lot by reading this story.u r so merciful richard to bring this story out which is not hearing to anyone's ears.thank you.i wish if people would think like mother teressa,reminding her merciful heart to needy and the orphans and to the sick,even if she had everything,she never ate vitamin foods,never lived luxurious left behind people were not having onetime food.we can't think like that,because we are living without knowing any difficulties,safely sleeping with full of stomach.why that innocent children have to suffer that much?who is knowing the hunger of empty stomach?children are the angels.there is no lies.when we hurt them,they can't do any punishment back to us.i feel so sad about this.thank u again for ur compassion richard.

Thank you for airing this show. These girls are beautiful and should not lead a life of dispair and hopelessness. Why can't an Islamic organization of potential adoptee parents be set up in the United States. Once they believe these children will be adopted by people of their own faith - they may permit adoption to take place. These Islamic parents could then let American families adopt the children. Is this a possiblity? Won't someone please help.....somehow..

A very touching and emotional story. I wish there was some way to help the children directly. To those who complain about the story, what does it matter if the story is not about the orphanages in the US. These are all children of God and they need help. Please continue the wonderful reporting.

When children are forced to languish in orphanages and condemned to a hopeless future, because foreign adoptions are not permitted, it should be a matter of urgent concern to human rights activists everywhere. It is unacceptable to say "that's the law", and suggest as an alternative that those who care send money. Money will not rescue these children from life in an institution and the hopeless future they face, nor will it provide the human touch they so clearly hunger for. Of course it's best for children to be raised in their native land, and every effort should be made to help this happen. But, when, as is apparently the case in Iraq, there is no one around to do this, and the children are so starved for affection and attention that they beg your reporter to take them along, we should not turn away. A law - the effect of which condemns kids to life in an orphanage despite famililes eager to adopt them - is inhumane and must be challenged. I'd like to know if any international organization has addressed this issue, and if not, where might be the place to start.