The Street Orphans Of Baghdad

Thousands Of Homeless Kids Live On The Street In The War Zone, Without Shelter Or Aid

(CBS)  Orphans like Fatema, selling incense for pennies, aren't hard to find on Baghdad's streets. At 11 years old, dodging cars, she's barely more than a beggar, CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann reports.

"We're orphans," Fatema says.

Why don't they go to school?

"Because we need the money," she says.

Baghdad has thousands of orphans — no one knows the exact number. There are too many for the eight orphanages in Iraq's capital city. Some facilities crowd 10 kids to a small bedroom.

Other than the orphanages, will anyone take these children?

"No," says Quammer al-Janni, who coordinates orphan programs for the Red Crescent, the Arab Red Cross.

The Iraqi government does little to help. In Iraqi culture, orphans are mostly scorned — and seldom adopted.

They're scared. Many of them are angry — and more violent than other kids.

"I think I am going to cry," Quammer says. "Because I have nothing to do for them. I have nothing to say for them."

Adults who work with orphans here are scared for them — and for Iraq. They say, "Don't forget Saddam Hussein was raised as an orphan."

The last time Fahad saw his parents, militiamen were taking them to their death. A Sunni Muslim, he won't play with Shia children.

Another child Strassmann met, Ayaat, is a Shia, who says she can't live with Sunnis.

This is how it begins.

To survive, Mushtaq quit school. He learns on the street, selling perfume and gum to strangers.

In faces like his, Quammer sees Iraq's real worry — its next generation of insurgents and terrorists. That's why she spends six days a week helping orphans; she saves only Saturdays for her own kids.

"There is no future for any Iraqi people. Not just for the orphan babies, for all the Iraqi people," she said. "We don’t have any future."

Ask Fatema about her future. It's simply survival.

[middleman8]

THIS IS THE NUTCASE bUSH'S FAULT. HE HAS HIS OFFSPRING SHELTERED AND PROTECTED BY TAXPAYERS MONEY IN A FORIGEN COUNTRY,AND PEOPLE SAY HE IS STUPID.

[cburn665]

last checked, there are roughly 14,000 homeless people on our U.S. streets, children weren't even being counted as of 2006.

Mr. President, how do you sleep at night? You and your minions are a disgrace to this country.

[cburn665]

last checked, there are roughly 14,000 homeless people on our U.S. streets, children weren't even being counted as of 2006.

Mr. President, how do you sleep at night? You and your minions are a disgrace to this country.

[fxy_m]

why are people talking about bush? there are people, children, the elderly, suffering all over the world everyday. they all deserve protection and care, every single one, no matter what country they were born in. we (humanity) should be taking action to protect the innocent (humans) on our planet, not worrying how well the pres. sleeps. so what if he's less than we knew, suffering didn't start w/ bush (and he'll be gone soon anyway) and it doesn't end at our borders.

[fxy_m]

why are people talking about bush? there are people, children, the elderly, suffering all over the world everyday. they all deserve protection and care, every single one, no matter what country they were born in. we (humanity) should be taking action to protect the innocent (humans) on our planet, not worrying how well the pres. sleeps. so what if he's less than we knew, suffering didn't start w/ bush (and he'll be gone soon anyway) and it doesn't end at our borders.

[toldyouso21]

why are people talking about bush? there are people, children, the elderly, suffering all over the world everyday. they all deserve protection and care, every single one, no matter what country they were born in. we (humanity) should be taking action to protect the innocent (humans) on our planet, not worrying how well the pres. sleeps. so what if he's less than we knew, suffering didn't start w/ bush (and he'll be gone soon anyway) and it doesn't end at our borders.
Posted by fxy_m at 10:53 PM : May 08, 2007

Because this particular tragedy was CAUSED BY OUR ACTIONS AND BUSH WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THOSE ACTIONS. Say what you will about the situation in the world--we did not need to add more horror and affliction--we could have used our resources in our own country and looked to clean our own homes--instead we inflict carnage and leave orphans in our wake. We are a scourge on Iraq--THAT is why Bush's name is invoked and if the bible is accurate, then AMERICA WILL REAP WHAT WE HAVE SOWN.

ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS: America's illegal war of choice created a power vacuum, thousands of orphans and aided and abetted the rush to anarchy of the various factions. This tragedy too, is the fault of America, don't forget that--we are responsible for our own homeless and elderly so we did not need to create more in the world by our meddling and actions.

[toldyouso21]

why are people talking about bush? there are people, children, the elderly, suffering all over the world everyday. they all deserve protection and care, every single one, no matter what country they were born in. we (humanity) should be taking action to protect the innocent (humans) on our planet, not worrying how well the pres. sleeps. so what if he's less than we knew, suffering didn't start w/ bush (and he'll be gone soon anyway) and it doesn't end at our borders.
Posted by fxy_m at 10:53 PM : May 08, 2007

Because this particular tragedy was CAUSED BY OUR ACTIONS AND BUSH WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THOSE ACTIONS. Say what you will about the situation in the world--we did not need to add more horror and affliction--we could have used our resources in our own country and looked to clean our own homes--instead we inflict carnage and leave orphans in our wake. We are a scourge on Iraq--THAT is why Bush's name is invoked and if the bible is accurate, then AMERICA WILL REAP WHAT WE HAVE SOWN.

ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS: America's illegal war of choice created a power vacuum, thousands of orphans and aided and abetted the rush to anarchy of the various factions. This tragedy too, is the fault of America, don't forget that--we are responsible for our own homeless and elderly so we did not need to create more in the world by our meddling and actions.

[nonameabc]

This war start because of the lie from Mr. President and his administration. Many innocents are suffering by losing life, family, orphans. Who know how many of them will anger us by knowing the truth? We are screwed in there and it is much much worse than the situation in Vietnam war.

[cat4evr]

In response to Fallingstar3, what is the matter with you? are you made of stone? The US government has caused the socioeconomic structure of Iraq to collapse, and you are wondering why does it concern you? We as a people are responsible for what is happenning to those children; they are the most innocent victims of this fiasco initiated by the Republican party headed by Bush and his cronies. The war on terror is a sham for them to make millions off death and destruction; ie. Halliburton. In the end, is all about oil because the US cannot stop being the rich and controlling nation that it has been for the longest, the pain and death caused to the invaded (Iraq) not withstanding. So don't say we have to worry about our country first!!

[cat4evr]

In response to Fallingstar3, what is the matter with you? are you made of stone? The US government has caused the socioeconomic structure of Iraq to collapse, and you are wondering why does it concern you? We as a people are responsible for what is happenning to those children; they are the most innocent victims of this fiasco initiated by the Republican party headed by Bush and his cronies. The war on terror is a sham for them to make millions off death and destruction; ie. Halliburton. In the end, is all about oil because the US cannot stop being the rich and controlling nation that it has been for the longest, the pain and death caused to the invaded (Iraq) not withstanding. So don't say we have to worry about our country first!!

[gunsmoke007-2009]

I read this story and the comments and it is an unfortunent situation. Part of it is due to ethnic raceism which is a core to many of Iraqs problems. I see that some people wnat to blame our president and it is sad to see that. The situation can be blamed on a lot of issues and people but this dose not solve the problem. Open harts and open hands will.

[cat4evr]

Some people think we don't have to be concerned about these children's fate. How dare they!! The US government has caused the socioeconomic structure of Iraq to collapse, and you are wondering why does it concern you? We as a people are responsible for what is happenning to those children; they are the most innocent victims of this fiasco initiated by the Republican party headed by Bush and his cronies. The war on terror is a sham for them to make millions off death and destruction; ie. Halliburton. In the end, is all about oil because the US cannot stop being the rich and controlling nation that it has been for the longest, the pain and death caused to the invaded (Iraq) is collateral damage. So don't say we have to worry about our country first!!