Riam is a 7-year-old Iraqi girl. She was born suffering from a severe angiomatous malformation to the face. We have been helping her to get very sophisticated medical help in the last years, and she bravely underwent three successful surgeries.

Now Riam needs another operation, and we need your help to help her.

Who are we?

Un Ponte Per…  is an Italian non-profit organization dedicated to peace and human rights. We work since 1991 in Iraq and in other countries. We are officially registered in Italy and follow Italian and European Union law.

Why Riam?

Un Ponte Per… has been working with the Baghdad National Library since 2004. Riam is the daughter of an employee of the Library with whom we work.

What’s wrong with Riam?

Riam has been born with a severe malformation to her face (an angioma). She was disfigured and it eventually threatened to make her blind.

What was done so far?

When we decided to help her we got in touch with the one of the best paediatric hospitals in Italy, the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù of Roma. Riam underwent three complex maxillofacial operations in February 2011, September 2011 and September 2012. Her sight was saved. Riam now needs another operation to continue her treatment.

Why do you need help now?

Past operations were done through the support of the humanitarian fund of the Lazio region (the administrative region where is located Rome). The local government of Lazio has taken austerity measures, which include closing down this fund. This means refusing to support new cases as well as cancelling support for on-going cases, like Riam. But we cannot cancel the operation; it would endanger Riam’s health to interrupt her treatment. That’s why we need your support!

They cut off the funds and left a child behind?

Yes. This is called austerity. Welcome to Italy.

So how much will it cost?

Fortunately, the folks at the paediatric hospital are very generous and they proposed to carry out the operation for a very reduced fee of 3500€. We also need to pay for the transport from Iraq to Italy of Riam and her father, who will accompany her like the previous times. We of course need to cover the expenses for their stay in Rome. The total budget is therefore around 7000€. We have already secured some funding and are only asking for your support for 3500€.

What if you fundraise more than that?

Fundraising until 3500 € is to cover the hospital fee.

Then we can always use some extra money to improve the conditions of the stay in Rome of Riam and her father. This would be an extra 500€.

Any money raised beyond these 4000 € will be dedicated to our long-distance support program for Iraqi children: Farah (“joy”).

Can I see a picture of Riam?

No. We decided after discussion with her parents that we would not show pictures of Riam or reveal her full name.

What’s in it for me?

Doing a good deed is always a reward in itself. But we decided to add to that, and we offer you a set of rewards for your generosity. You have our deepest gratitude from the very first euro you give. See the list on the right for details on other rewards.