Young Ambassadors to participate in 2017 5K as the face of Iraq’s most vulnerable children; Mayor, Dignitaries, Veterans show support

February 23, 2017

The Iraqi Children Foundation (ICF) will host its 5th Annual “In Their Shoes” 5K run/walk on May 20, 2017 at the US Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia. The 5K will benefit Iraq’s most vulnerable: orphans, street children, and kids displaced by ISIS.

Teeba as a little girl.

ICF is honored to recognize three Young Ambassadors from Iraq, who will walk in solidarity for the children in their home country. Teeba (now 15) was in a car bombing as a baby.  Humoody (now 14) was shot in the face as a boy.  Ala’a (now 22) was abandoned as a little boy because of his cerebral palsy.

ICF Advisor Barbara Marlowe, said: “As Teeba’s American mom, I am proud of her resilience and heart for other kids in Iraq who have suffered like she has. The 5K is a great opportunity for Teeba to lend her voice as a champion for Iraqi kids.”

Alexandria City Mayor Allison Silberberg will be joined on the 5K Honorary Committee by His Excellency Ali Alhakim, Iraq’s Ambassador to the UN; General David Petraeus (US Army, Ret.);  Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan;  former Iraq Ambassadors Lukman Faily and Samir Sumaida’ie;  former US Ambassadors James Jeffrey, Richard Schmierer, William Taylor and Ron Neumann;  Shameem Rassam – Alhurra TV;  Janice Chance and Kelly Swanson, Gold Star Mothers; Dr. Jeremy Kohomban, President and CEO of The Children’s Village of New York, and Tony Culley-Foster, World

Teeba today after loving care.

Affairs Council DC.According to UNICEF, “Iraq is now one of the most dangerous places in the world for children.” ISIS violence in Iraq has displaced more than 1 million children, compounding the crisis already facing 800,000+ children identified as orphans after the previous decade of war. Funding from the 5K will benefit Iraqi children who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and recruitment by extremists and human traffickers. It will provide education, legal protection, rescue from the streets, access to food and medical care, psychosocial and financial support, and childhood joys like toys.

Register today and join us as we run/walk for a day “in the shoes” of some of Iraq’s most vulnerable kids. For sponsorship opportunities, contact cindy@iraqichildren.org or 703.963.3832.  Those unable to attend are invited to support the 5K for Iraqi children by donating.