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U.S. Group Helps Iraqi Boy Set on Fire

By Wayne Drash,
CNN
Posted: 2007-08-24 17:49:26
Filed Under: World News
ATLANTA, Georgia (Aug. 24) -- Few stories have touched CNN.com users like that of 5-year-old Youssif, an Iraqi boy who had gone out to play on a January day when he was suddenly grabbed by masked men, doused in gas and set on fire.

Photo Gallery: WARNING GRAPHIC PHOTOS OF SCARRING

CNN

Youssif, a 5-year-old Iraqi boy, was playing outside of his Baghdad home in January when masked men grabbed him, doused him with fuel and set him on fire.

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Watch Video: Youssif's Story

How to Help: Donate

Youssif was known for his bright smile before he was attacked by masked men.

CNN.com users responded by the thousands to the story asking how they could help. But there were tricky and difficult issues the family had to suddenly confront, as several aid organizations quickly offered their services.

Specifically, the family had to make a decision on whether to leave their homeland or stay inside Iraq for treatment. If they chose to leave, could they get visas to travel to the United States or leave Iraq safely? Further complicating matters is the fact that few aid organizations remain in Iraq; most moved out months ago due to the constant threat of being targeted.

Leaving one's homeland is never an easy choice to make, even during war. But the family has decided Youssif should seek treatment in the United States.

The Children's Burn Foundation -- a non-profit organization based out of Sherman Oaks, California, that provides support for burn victims locally, nationally and internationally -- has agreed to pay for the transportation for Youssif and his family to come to the United States and to set up a fund so you can donate.

The foundation says it will cover all medical costs -- from surgeries for Youssif to housing costs to any social rehabilitation that might be needed for him. Surgeries will be performed by Dr. Peter Grossman, a plastic surgeon with the affiliated-Grossman Burn Center who is donating his services for Youssif's cause.

Officials are still trying to get the appropriate visas for his travels. Youssif could be in the United States for up to a year for the various treatments he needs.

When informed of the news in Baghdad, Youssif ran around his house, saying, "Daddy, daddy, am I really going to get on a plane?!"

Youssif's father was also cheered by the news. "I feel like I am going to fly from happiness," his father told CNN's Arwa Damon, who reported the story on what happened to Youssif.

Barbara Friedman, executive director of the Children's Burn Foundation, said she and others at the foundation were deeply moved when they first read the piece.

"In terms of a personal reaction, the only thing I could say is it takes your breath away -- because it's just so unfathomable, that that kind of brutality and violence was undertaken in a premeditated way against a defenseless child," she told CNN.com.

"From the foundation's perspective, our immediate reaction was: Can we help? How can we help? We want to help. This is what we do."

Many of you had the same reaction. "This kind of thing breaks my heart," wrote CNN.com user Jessica Allen. "To see that smiling adorable face before that day that he was so brutally attacked is enough to make you cry. How could someone do this to anyone, let alone a child?"

Others pleaded for CNN to act. "CNN, if you put this on for us to read, then you should allow us to donate," wrote Brian Quinn.

The story -- published and broadcast on Wednesday -- has been one of the most-read, non-breaking news stories in CNN.com's 13-year history.

"We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for Youssif and his family, and are grateful that the Children's Burn Foundation and the Grossman Burn Center have volunteered to help," said Mitch Gelman, CNN.com's senior vice president and senior executive producer.

"It is heart-warming and restorative to see such generosity and goodness emerging from this truly unspeakable horror."

2007-08-24 09:37:53
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Recent Comments

1 - 10 of 1773
1773 comments

Fdetre 05:33:00 AM Sep 07 2007

Are those in this "comments" secttion completely generically stupid, academically malcontents, sheer anarchists, ignorant communists/facists, simply haters(they cannot stand themselves, but do not have the balls to put an end to their miserable lives, I will help you) or religious idiots. I really hope so!!!
Children have been used/butchard/exploited/propogandised victims since warfare, old or new. Also, it has been a popular way of bringing about a fanatically demanded religious acceptance by everyone, regardless of faith. I love it when a plan comes together.
Maybe it is time for God to do another cleansing or for me to do a general recruiting drive. It is said that HE promised the last time to not use fire again. Well, I think this time he will allow me to convince "man" to do it all by himself. It will get the same results. But unfortunately, HE will only allow for every one hundred children I let you butcher, a thousand will be born. OK, I can work with that. Time is my best frien

knappy ho ho 12:39:00 PM Sep 01 2007

DID YOU LIBS KNOW THAT BUSH ACTUALLY HAD THIS KID SET

ON FIRE? YES IT WAS A KARL ROVE CONSPIRACY INTENDED ON

ONCE AGAIN LYIING TO YOU! O YOU POOR CHRIS MATHEWS

BELIEVING DOLTS.

knappy ho ho 12:37:00 PM Sep 01 2007

MY SON TALKED TO A HATE SPEECH FREAK LIBERAL THE OTHER DAY AND

WAS BOMBARDED BY CHRONIC HALITOSIS AND HATRED.

OOOOPS TYPICAL FOR YOU GENETICALLY FKT RETARDS

knappy ho ho 12:35:00 PM Sep 01 2007

MAYBE SO - BUT GOD, BABY JESUS, ALLAH, AND BUDDAH STILL

INTEND ON BURNING IN HELL FIRE BRIMSTONE ETC ALL DOUCHEBAG BACKWARDS

HATE SPEECH SPREADING INTOLERANT LIBERALS

asg1936 02:04:47 PM Aug 31 2007

Peace loving Iraqis? Thats hard to believe, recently over 750 people wre brutally murdered in Iraq by suicide bombers and maybe other means for blasphemy which means someone said something sacrilegious like Goodness, Gracious or Heavens To Betsy, The may even think cartoon character Snagglepuss The Mountain Lion is blasphemous because he says Heavens to Murgartroid

asg1936 02:53:58 PM Aug 30 2007

Billy Graham would say that this boy should feel only warmth and love towrds those who torched him because when we hate we are in danger of hell fire and anger and hate helps Satan, and what happened to this boy is a blessing because he now must turn to God 24 hrs a day to help him through his ordeal, i say that boy has the right to pulverize those devils but the bible says we must forgive those who do us evil and move forward and not look back, and whosever striketh an adult shall surely be put to death but what can you expect from masochistic creatures who worship death and suffering like middle easterns

asg1936 02:49:37 PM Aug 30 2007

On the dvd tv episode called Lassie's Gift Of Love is the line, Gods ways are very hard to understand, sometimes theyre impossible but in the course of time, understanding is given us, well, if having this Iraqui boy set on fire was God's way of making him world famous, I say GO F YORSELF, JEHOVAH. There are far better ways to world fame than this all this will leave the boy with is painful memories and my response to the line, dont look back . I say is having good memories some sort of horrible sin or are you only allowed to be happy if and when you get to Paradise

tuckeramy21 07:42:36 PM Aug 29 2007

oh go to hell mthanhq. america is not trying to enslave Iraq. We are trying to help them live a better live. I think it's time that these terrorists just let us help. We don't want to take over Iraq.

Cdcountryfied 04:18:47 PM Aug 27 2007

Glb is a typical Liberal who wants no good news when it comes to Iraq.

ewismellfunky 02:13:38 AM Aug 27 2007

They're crazy, extreme rightists and leftists Britty,...politics and posturing fuel their pathetic lives,....it sort of validates their idiotic existence. ...I hope I have been of help. I learned long ago how to translate their ancient language,...Retardese. ..It's just a gift I suppose. :~)

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