ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- 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.
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. See photos of Youssif before and after the attack »
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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.
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Children's Burn Foundation
Youssif's story
You can make a donation at the foundation's site by clicking here. There's a drop down menu under the "general donation" area that is marked "Youssif's fund."
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.
Aid groups
Other organizations that offered to help:
International Medical Corps
Doctors Without Borders
Shriners
Palestine Children's Relief Fund
The Leap Foundation
The CURE Foundation
The Global Medical Relief Fund
Fresh Start
"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."
update on the boy set on fire
update on the boy set on fire
a.k.a. GSXR 750
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mountainman
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RoundEye
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I tend to not believe everything I read either, but I highly doubt this young child doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire, as protest to the Iraqi war.Gixxer wrote:i mean the part where he was "doused and set ablaze" ... probably playing with matches
He’s not a Burning Monk.
Sliding down the banister of life ..........................
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Far-N-Wide
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I'm sure gix has no intent on comming accross the way he does. You can read somethings different, then they were written.. But damm... The kids five years old. Accident or not, most folks would help a five year old out verus bagging on him for his problem. Remind me how to reply on gix when he's got a problem some day.
USAFRETIRED
Gixxer we are good friends, let me just say some bad things go on over here that will traumatize a good man.
Just this month a young baby was found left under a pile of tin to die after they killed all the family that lived in the house. Luckily the baby was found alive and is being treated by the coalition forces.
Another incident a female translator was going home to see her family and had her 5 year old son with her, she was stopped the individuals that stopped her told her son to make a hasty retreat to anyplace except there, after the little boy left they executed his mother.
Let me just say and lke most here know the media will only report the bad things against the Americans instead of being unbiased and reporting it as it should be.
As for this young handsome smiling little boy that was burned, i will lay my soul on the line that the story is true and it did happen.
I know you did not mean to sound callouse or betraying to this little boy at all, because the honest truth is not being shown by the media especially since it is leading up to election time.
Still care for you and your post did not offend me at all, just wanted to drop my penny in to have you think differently.
Some good links that will add insight are:
http://www.iraqslogger.com
http://www.hometownbagdad.com
HometownBaghdad if you watch all the vids from an Iraqi's point of view is very interesting.
Just this month a young baby was found left under a pile of tin to die after they killed all the family that lived in the house. Luckily the baby was found alive and is being treated by the coalition forces.
Another incident a female translator was going home to see her family and had her 5 year old son with her, she was stopped the individuals that stopped her told her son to make a hasty retreat to anyplace except there, after the little boy left they executed his mother.
Let me just say and lke most here know the media will only report the bad things against the Americans instead of being unbiased and reporting it as it should be.
As for this young handsome smiling little boy that was burned, i will lay my soul on the line that the story is true and it did happen.
I know you did not mean to sound callouse or betraying to this little boy at all, because the honest truth is not being shown by the media especially since it is leading up to election time.
Still care for you and your post did not offend me at all, just wanted to drop my penny in to have you think differently.
Some good links that will add insight are:
http://www.iraqslogger.com
http://www.hometownbagdad.com
HometownBaghdad if you watch all the vids from an Iraqi's point of view is very interesting.
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YARDofSTUF
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i dont think the boy put gas on him and set him self ablaze nor did i write that ... at the same time, i really dont wanna believe that someone could do that ... hopefully it was an accident, because i am not sure if i have heard of such deliberate attacks on young children...if it was deliberate then this world, to me, has no hope of recoveryRoundEye wrote:I tend to not believe everything I read either, but I highly doubt this young child doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire, as protest to the Iraqi war.
He’s not a Burning Monk.
on a side note: i think the scars look kinda old, why come out now, i am sure there was a lot to be considered but i would have sought help asap
a.k.a. GSXR 750
BaghDaddy wrote:Gixxer we are good friends, let me just say some bad things go on over here that will traumatize a good man.
Just this month a young baby was found left under a pile of tin to die after they killed all the family that lived in the house. Luckily the baby was found alive and is being treated by the coalition forces.
Another incident a female translator was going home to see her family and had her 5 year old son with her, she was stopped the individuals that stopped her told her son to make a hasty retreat to anyplace except there, after the little boy left they executed his mother.
Let me just say and lke most here know the media will only report the bad things against the Americans instead of being unbiased and reporting it as it should be.
As for this young handsome smiling little boy that was burned, i will lay my soul on the line that the story is true and it did happen.
I know you did not mean to sound callouse or betraying to this little boy at all, because the honest truth is not being shown by the media especially since it is leading up to election time.
Still care for you and your post did not offend me at all, just wanted to drop my penny in to have you think differently.
Some good links that will add insight are:
http://www.iraqslogger.com
http://www.hometownbagdad.com
HometownBaghdad if you watch all the vids from an Iraqi's point of view is very interesting.
where in the heck have you been? hope everything is good (as good as can be) with you ... haven;t heard from you in a looong time ...
im not saying it did not happen the way it was reported .. guess i did not wanna believe somebody could do that ...
get in touch with me, or send a pm with some updates
a.k.a. GSXR 750
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RoundEye
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I think that’s the thing, none of us want to believe such a thing could happen. But apparently it did. Probably exactly the way they said it did. That’s why the world’s heart went out to this kid and his family.Gixxer wrote:.. guess i did not wanna believe somebody could do that ...
Gixxer, remember how bummed out you were when you found out your dog had cancer?
Well, multiply that by a million and you’ll understand how this kid’s mother feels. Plus, she lives in a world of fear and aggression, if she comes forward about it, her whole family could get killed as a result.
War sucks dick, plain and simple.
Sliding down the banister of life ..........................
BaghDaddy wrote:Gixxer we are good friends, let me just say some bad things go on over here that will traumatize a good man.
Absolutely Concur. Let me see if I can put it in context for you. If you are an Iraqi and are kidnapped here, you'd better hope that your kidnappers are from the same sect, or are purely criminal. If not, then after the ransom is paid you'll be killed anyways, just to get rid of another cockroach. That's how the bad guys from each side view the other side. Kids, even little ones, are absolutely NOT excepted. They're just baby cockroaches. Set a little boy on fire? I can totally believe they would do such a thing. And worse.
Regards,
-Bouncer-
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YARDofSTUF
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Bouncer wrote:Absolutely Concur. Let me see if I can put it in context for you. If you are an Iraqi and are kidnapped here, you'd better hope that your kidnappers are from the same sect, or are purely criminal. If not, then after the ransom is paid you'll be killed anyways, just to get rid of another cockroach. That's how the bad guys from each side view the other side. Kids, even little ones, are absolutely NOT excepted. They're just baby cockroaches. Set a little boy on fire? I can totally believe they would do such a thing. And worse.
Regards,
-Bouncer-
and yet we still hope to bring "peace" and "democracy" to these people....
Edward Abbey wrote:A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.