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MOSUL, Iraq — Shaimaa al-Abbasi, 23, is a Kurdish activist from Shingal. She's lived at Baharka IDP camp for five years, and now lives in Erbil.
In the run-up to Christmas, she dressed up as Santa Claus and cycled through the alleys of Mosul bearing gifts for the war-scarred city’s children.
“The children of Mosul really need a lot of psychological support. They’ve suffered a lot from war and chaos. That’s why I want to do this, to make them smile and be happy,” Shaimaa said.
“Though the gifts and activities are small, it plants seeds of hope and joy among them. You can see that many children are happy now. I want to spread peace and love among them.”
Mosul’s locals are grateful for Shaimaa’s visit.
“We love her, she made us all happy. I hope she’ll be back next year, because she makes all the children happy and gives us gifts,” Ali Jabbar said.
Three years after the Islamic State was defeated in Mosul, much of the city still lies in ruin.
"Mother Christmas appeared from among the ruins. She made people happy, especially the children," said Mosul resident Ali Akram. "We hope she comes every year so that she can make all the children living in these ruins happy."
Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
In the run-up to Christmas, she dressed up as Santa Claus and cycled through the alleys of Mosul bearing gifts for the war-scarred city’s children.
“The children of Mosul really need a lot of psychological support. They’ve suffered a lot from war and chaos. That’s why I want to do this, to make them smile and be happy,” Shaimaa said.
“Though the gifts and activities are small, it plants seeds of hope and joy among them. You can see that many children are happy now. I want to spread peace and love among them.”
Mosul’s locals are grateful for Shaimaa’s visit.
“We love her, she made us all happy. I hope she’ll be back next year, because she makes all the children happy and gives us gifts,” Ali Jabbar said.
Three years after the Islamic State was defeated in Mosul, much of the city still lies in ruin.
"Mother Christmas appeared from among the ruins. She made people happy, especially the children," said Mosul resident Ali Akram. "We hope she comes every year so that she can make all the children living in these ruins happy."
Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
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