“My name is Jalissa, I’m 9 years old and I live with my family in an IDP camp. Usually, I start my days by helping my mother with housework. I then go to school and come back and help some more before I go out with my friends to play games. I love going to school and coming to see Tutapona.
“I don’t remember too much about my home in Shingal, but I have heard a lot about it from my parents. We were happy there, and when they tell stories about it, and how we lived there it makes me love it. I want to go there again.
“Sometimes when my mother sends me to the shop to buy something it’s hard for me because I’m disabled, and I feel so much pain in my legs. I had surgery for my legs six times, and I should do one more surgery to try to correct them. I go to school and I love being at school. But it is so hard to go to a far place because of my legs. My school is far from my tent, and that can be difficult as I go by walking - we don’t have a car and sometimes it rains or is very cold. Also, sometimes my parents fight with each other - it is not easy for me, I don’t know how to deal with that.
“I was very happy with attending the Heroes Journey program. The center was not too far from my tent, but even if it was, I would still come every day because I really loved it and seeing my friends. I’ve learned how to be a hero through hope, thankfulness, kindness, belief, and courage. I really loved the story of Emmanuel’s hope because he only had one leg and he could do anything, and I also can do that if I work hard, even if I’m disabled! I loved the exercise of butterfly hug because it gives me a feeling of peace.”
-Jalissa, Kurdistan Iraq
Because of the generosity of people like you, Jalissa has the support she needs to grow and thrive. BUT there are thousands of children just like Jalissa with stories that are yet to end with hope. Help Tutapona bring hope and healing by donating today.