- Title: Volunteers beautify Baghdad's streets
- Date: 15th November 2016
- Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MEMBERS OF BASMIT AMAL (ARABIC FOR ''IMPRINT OF HOPE" ORGANISATION) PAINTING CONCRETE WALLS PAINT POTS ON GROUND VARIOUS OF "IMPRINT OF HOPE" SIGN ON WALL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF "IMPRINT OF HOPE", ALI ABDUL-RAHMAN, SAYING: "We have accomplished so many humanitarian works, such as the beautification of orphanages and hospital wards which treat children suffering from cancer. We have carried out many voluntary acts without any support. We collect sums of money among us." VARIOUS OF VOLUNTEERS PAINTING ON WALL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BAGHDAD RESIDENT, FADHILA ABASS, SAYING: ''It is a good initiative done by those youth. There are so many streets being beautified. I saw a very nice street leading to the district of Nahdha. I saw beautiful pictures in the street such as paintings of horses. I really enjoy walking along the roads and streets. Such beautiful drawings and paintings have rid us of the nightmare of war and its havoc. Now I feel that there is something that will rid us of the impact and influence of war.'' VARIOUS OF VOLUNTEERS SCRAPING POSTERS OFF WALLS TO CLEAN THEM BEFORE PAINTING ABDUL-RAHMAN PAINTING ON WALL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF "IMPRINT OF HOPE", ALI ABDUL-RAHMAN, SAYING: "They (UNICEF) inquired about our needs and requirements, we told them that the main obstacle facing us is the expensive materials. Then UNICEF in cooperation with the European Union incurred all expenses and cost of the items and transportation and food to the location where we work.'' ORGANISATION MEMBER PUTTING PAINTED HAND PRINT ON WALL MEMBERS PAINTING HANDS MEMBERS PLACING PAINTED HAND PRINT ON WALL
- Embargoed: 30th November 2016 14:35
- Keywords: painting streets beautify wall paint students art
- Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- City: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA00158K28NP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:A volunteer organisation called 'Imprint of Hope' is making its mark on Baghdad's streets by beautifying the war-torn Iraqi capital with paintings.
The group, which organisers say is 300-strong, paints the concrete walls set up after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion which toppled Saddam Hussein.
It also beautifies and cleans orphanages and hospital wards, according to 'Imprint of Hope' head, Ali Abdul-Rahman.
"We have accomplished so many humanitarian works, such as the beautification of orphanages and hospital wards which treat children suffering from cancer. We have carried out many voluntary acts without any support. We collect sums of money among us," he said as he took a break from painting a mural.
He told Reuters that when the organisation began 18 months ago it was self-funded, but that UNICEF and the European Union have stepped in to help with the costs of material and transport.
The work clearly made a positive impression on Baghdad resident Fadhila Abass, who said it was a "good initiative".
"I really enjoy walking along the roads and streets. Such beautiful drawings and paintings have rid us of the nightmare of war and its havoc. Now I feel that there is something that will rid us of the impact and influence of war," she said.
Once the paintings were complete, the team of volunteers left their mark on the walls with their own painted hand prints. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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