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The Orphans of Alqosh
Rawsht Twana

The Orphans of Alqosh

An intimate and in depth photo essay looking at the impact of war on two Iraqi Christian orphans, Milad Hani 9 and Wissam Hani 11, who fled the ISIS advance on Alqosh in early August. Born In Baghdad after the fall of Saddam, their lives have been buffeted by one conflict after another. Now, after having lived with their uncle in Erbil for a few months, they find themselves with no other options but living in an orphanage on the edge of the front line back in Alqosh. We go and meet them to try and understand more about the conflict and displacement crisis through the eyes of two children. Words: © Cathy Otten This story is part of Metrography's collective project "A Map of Displacement", which aims to dive into the lives of displaced Iraqis.

Photos
18
Status
Public
Created
May 04, 2015
Updated
Feb 09, 2022
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Tags
#Iraq #Kurdistan #Orphans #Alqosh #Isis #Daesh #War #Crisis #Rawsht #Twana #Documentary #Family #Displaced #Refugee

Photos (18)

15/08/2014. Erbil, Iraq. Iraqi-Christian orphan brothers Milad (left) and Wassam are seen in at the house in Ainkawa where they are staying with their uncle.
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21/10/14. Erbil, Iraq. Wassam (right) and his brother Milad (left) visit their uncle Amir (centre) at his tailoring shop in Ainkawa. Wassam wants to visit the shop because his uncle works alone there, and because he would like to learn about tailoring; Milad goes because he wants to be with his brother.
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30/10/14. Erbil, Iraq. Wassam (centre sitting) prepares a barbecue during a farewell party for he and his brother Milad. Milad and Wassam will return to the orphanage in Alqosh the next day and start the new school year.
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31/10/14. Erbil, Iraq. At the end of the farewell party Wassam (left) and Milad (right), hug Willaim, a family friend, as they say goodbye to him.
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31/10/14. Erbil, Iraq. Milad waves goodbye to his uncle Amir (left) and aunt Susan from inside his uncle Salam's car.
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31/10/14. Alqosh, Iraq. father Yousif (left sitting), the manager of the orphanage, welcomes Milad (centre) and Wassam (second left) back to Alqosh. He asks what they did during their holiday.
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31/10/14. Alqosh, Iraq. A view of the Virgin Mary Monastary in Alqosh.
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31/10/14. Alqosh, Iraq. Milad (second right) and Wassam (centre) eat lunch at the monastery.
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31/10/14. Alqosh, Iraq. Alqosh is seen from the Rabban Hermizd Monastery.
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Cover
15/11/14. Alqosh, Iraq. Wassam (centre right, yellow shirt) raises his hand to answer a question at the Alqosh School. Three of the children from the orphanage currently study at the school, which was founded in 1926.
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15/11/14. Alqosh, Iraq. Their day at school over, Wassam (centre, green trousers) and Milad (right, blue trousers) run for the bus that will take them back to the orphanage.
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15/11/14. Alqosh, Iraq. Salam's daughter Adriana (right) and family friend William visit Wassam (second left) and Milad (second right) at the orphanage.
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15/11/14. Alqosh, Iraq. Milad lays on his bed as Wassam (left) and some of the 8 orphans they share a room with tidy their dormitory.
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16/11/14. Alqosh, Iraq. Birds are seen in an enclosure at the orphanage. Father Yousif looks after the birds and teaches the orphans about caring for them.
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16/11/14. Alqosh, Iraq. Wassam cleans off his best trousers after playing with other orphans in a courtyard next to the orphanage.
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16/11/14. Alqosh, Iraq. Milad (right) suppresses a giggle as Father Jobrail fixes his friend's shirt. Father Jobrail tells the boys they need to be clean and tidy for the service.
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16/11/14. Alqosh, Iraq. Wassam (front, second right) attends a service with orphans and residents of Alqosh in the monastery's Der Saida Church.
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16/11/14. Alqosh, Iraq. 10 year old Iraqi-Christian orphan Milad is pictured in the Virgin Mary Monastery's Der Saida Church where he serves as an alter boy during Sunday services.
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