Report:  Hope for Iraqi Christians Fundraising Gala 2023 Summary Report

 The 7th Annual Hope Fundraising Gala: Hope for Iraqi Christians hosted a very special evening on Friday, November 3rd, 2023 intended to heighten public awareness, and raise much needed funding to help the most vulnerable individuals and families who are in most need in Northern Iraq. This year we were hosted at St Peter’s Chaldean Catholic Church Hall, where we held another sold-out event of almost 500 guests!  The attendees were treated to an eye- opening program filled with first-hand facts and videos directly from the villages.  Topped off by our key-note speaker, Bishop Felix Sabi, who travelled from Zakou, a village in Northern Iraq, to personally speak on behalf of the neediest families.  We also had local speakers from San Diego who inspired our guests. Attendees also enjoyed delicious food, and fine beverages, during our social mixer segment, in a very elegant and relaxed ambiance, enjoying traditional violin and harp playing live in the background.  The special evening included a social hour serving delicious horsedeurves and sushi, as well as an authentic coffee bar with traditional warm pastries for everyone to enjoy.

Our Master of Ceremonies, Afaf Konja, Global Communications Specialist and former United Nations Spokesperson, opened the evening by welcoming guests, including Chaldean Catholic Bishops and priests, as well as key dignitaries. Given her global experience as a journalist, our MC guided guests into key motives behind the illegal wars and ISIS that are the main causes that brought our fellow Christians to their circumstances, giving our guests facts-based knowledge to build more strength of the people, through awareness.  She then focused the attention of our guests to the truth, that despite the many injustices Iraqi Christians have faced, “They are among the richest and most powerful people in the world, not because they are in a country rich in oil and gold, but because they are born of the highest royalty. They are the families and communities of Jesus!” Thereby encouraging donors not feel sad or pity them, but to fuel their gifts of love with the spirit of power from God, which can turn all injustices into justice and joy!

Our first speaker, Dr John Kasawa, a local family physician and one of the founders of Hope for Iraqi Christians, gave an update on the 1) “Shipment of Hope” program, whereby Hope works with the US military and partner, Roads of Success, a non-profit organization. He explained and showed the 850 gift boxes, as well as the 500 pairs of high quality shoes for boys and girls. These deliveries are Hope’s “Kid to Kid” initiative, whereby empty gift boxes were distributed at San Diego churches, filled by kids with their parents' help, and shipped to youngsters in our homeland villages.  2) first year we disturbed donation cans to Catechism students during season of Lent.  The kids filled these cans with coins and dollar bills. In total 800 cans were distributed and a total of $9214 was collected.  Again a big goal of Kids to Kids, is to have the kids (and adults), to remember and bring joy to kids in villages. 3) he then gave on update on the fire tragedy in Baghdeda village, where the GoFundMe raised $1700, and the Ladies of Hope did their own drive, and presented us with a check for $5,000.  4) Lastly he shared Hope’s biggest initiative is actually the Gala itself.  We make sure to present an informative program lasting no more than 1 hour with at least one guest speaker from Ninevah Plains that are directly involved in “Adopt a Family”, show pictures and videos, give financial update and how many families we are supporting with your donations, acknowledge the sponsors, see our local volunteer committee, and have a time for donors to make new donations, or renew current donations.  All this with excellent food, fine drinks, soft background music, valet parking, parting gift bags, and plenty of time for socialization with like-minded humanitarians gathered for the noble cause of helping the poorest of poor in our ancestral homeland.  Of note, much of the food, items, and services were either donated or given at a large discounted price. 

Finally, Karam Hanko, explained the process and goals of this years “kid to kid” gift.  Guests had chance to get gift bags on exiting to fill for our next delivery, and this year’s goal is 2,000 gift boxes! 

Dr. Noori Barka, a founder of Hope for Iraqi Christians, touted all donors, announcing that over the last 9 years we were able to raise over $3.24 million and adopt nearly 350 families!
He explained the Adopt a Needy Family program, its simplicity and transparency and acknowledged the effectiveness of the local committees, noting that the money is delivered by hand by to the neediest families by committee members, who then sign receipt of delivery. The names and contact information is given to each donor of the adopted family, to stay in touch with one another directly. Each step documented and followed through with complete transparency and accountability. Dr. Noori told the donors, “Amazing when community gets together, it makes miracles!”.  Please give yourselves a big hand for this great achievement. He appealed for more help, as there are hundreds of more families that need desperate assistance. 

A 2 minute animated film was shown, created by our own IT whiz Nasma Arabo, which visually explained how the donated dollars go to the poorest families.   

A priest,  Fr Apharm Moshi, who serves in Arizona was coincidentally visiting Baghdeda when the fire tragedy struck.  He keeps in contact with many of the local people there, and gave statistics, which include 132 deceased and 175 severely injured.  In addition to burn injuries, many suffered smoke inhalation lung damage that is causing chronic disability.  Many children are now without dad or mom, and thus are missing primary source of revenue, almost 75 families.  He notes that donations came in the beginning but have slowed down in the last few weeks.  Hope looks forward to identifying the families that are most in need and will be registering these families in the “Adopt a Family Program”. 

The Keynote Speaker, Bishop Felix Shabi, who came from diocese of Zakou, explained the current practical situation in the villages.  He enumerated the expenses of the families and gave statistics. He informed listeners that just over 10,000 families across our villages. Whereby, nearly 25 percent fall within the very poor category.  He detailed with specific examples how much basic costs are for fundamentals for living, like kerosene, electricity, food, and other basic necessities. He explained that the “Adopt a Family” program is very helpful, in that the families use the money for basic necessities that are most important for their unique situations.  He went on to explain that in such cases, the Church is asked to help. The Church then prioritizes these special cases. Bishop Felix detailed how a family of 8, who has a child with disabilities, helps with transportation to a special education school run by nuns, and other situations such as chronic medical illness.  He also explained how even though husband and wife are working, they are making total of $170 per month with 4 children, due to poor economics of the region.
He encouraged donors with the fact that their donations are changing lives, and that many more families would greatly benefit from such donations.  He warned guests that winter is approaching, and these already vulnerable families will go cold again this year because they are unable to afford energy.  He shared his experience of over 3 years working with “Adopt a Family”, of the 57 very poor families in Zahou Villages, and expressed his genuine appreciation for the efficiency and direct system used so that these donations get to these families. 

For the Ask portion of evening, Shamasha Samir Salam, gave his testimony of the trip to North Iraq earlier in 2023.  He shared how these families look like us, talk like us.  He met some of the families who are receiving the monthly donations.  He shared that even though Isis is gone, the effects of the devastation still exists.  They are trying to rebuild still even though they treated as second class citizens.  Not to mention the poor medical system, and lack of a safety net, which makes it especially difficult for elderly, and disabled.  We are helping 15% of the poorest of the poor families, and our goal this year is to at least get to 20%, if not 25%.  During the Ask, Dr Kasawa explained how to fill out the donation cards for one-time, recurring donations, and how to be a Sponsor for next year.  We are proud to announce that with your generous donations, we are not only able to sustain the “adopt a needy family” program to help the 350 families, but in fact we can add 50 more families to make it 400 families total!

Finally, Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta, shared his personal experience during his visit to Iraq in early 2023. He shared how St Peter’s Diocese also participated to help the victims in Bagdeda.  He shared how helping someone in need is a great example of what it means to be a Christian, to follow Jesus commands of helping the poor.  Bishop reminded us that we have been blessed in this country, and that the donations help bring not only a smile to their face, but also much needed help.  He acknowledged the efforts of the committee, and the donors, and reminded everyone it is for Christ glory.  Our dear Bishop blessed all the attendees, during his special dinner blessing.

During dinner, a fun raffle give-away, led by Abouna Andy Younan, where 15 prizes were won, donated from the Platinum donors.

The spectacular evening was aired live on Facebook via Chaldean Radio&TV, reaching a greater audience and more potential donors.

We'd like to give a heartfelt thank you to all the donors and participants of the Hope 2023 Gala and kindly ask that you continue keeping the most-needy families in your deep prayers. On behalf of the poorest and persecuted, we appreciate any donations you're able to give from your hearts.  Thank you to all from the bottom of our hearts!  God bless you, and see you in 2024!

In His name,

Hope for Iraqi Christians board

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