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No More Victims is now sending medical relief shipments to under-supplied clinics and hospitals in Iraq.
A group in Asheville, North Carolina is advocating for Salee Allawe’s 7-year-old sister, Rusul, whose leg was badly injured in the same US airstrike of November, 2006 that took both of Salee’s legs. The Asheville group met Salee in September of 2007 when she came to Asheville for a No More Victims presentation. Locals decided then that they’d like to try to advocate for a child. NMV hopes to bring Rusul to the United States for medical care in 2008, and the Asheville group is busy planning fundraisers and presentations to help make this happen.Pictured above is the Asheville core group: (from left to right) Kindra Phillips, Ymani Simmons, Nancy Herman, Anne Craig and Susan Oehler.
On April 12th and 13th, the Asheville chapter of No More Victims held a fundraising weekend for Rusul. We were joined by Ann Cothran, National Community Coordinator, and Cole Miller, Founder and Director of No More Victims. Early Saturday morning, there was a guided meditation and a meditation walk in remembrance of Rusul. This was held at the Baha’i Center in Asheville.
Asheville group has been busy promoting Rusul’s arrival and raising funds to cover the costs. We were invited to have a program on “No More Victims – Asheville” at Unitarian Universalist Church in Asheville on March 14, 2008. We showed the movie “Caught in the Crossfire” and then had Ann Cothran of Greenville speak to the group and talk about Rusul. About 35 people showed up for this event and we collected (or had pledged) about $350 in donations. The next day, we had a House Party, hosted by Jeanne and Lew Patrie. This was small in attendance, yet we still got over $360 in donations. A big THANK YOU to Jeanne and Lew for opening their home and their hearts to “No More Victims – Asheville”.
No More Victims first came to my attention a few years back, but it was in the summer of 2007 that I discovered that one of the children they are helping was in Greenville, SC - which is only 75 miles from my home town of Asheville. So, right then and there I decided to try and get this child, Salee, to come to Asheville for a visit.
My first step was contacting Ann Cothran, who founded the Upstate Coalition of Compassion to raise funds for Salee’s medical care at the Shriner’s in Greenville. I met up with her one sunny Sunday afternoon and we discussed possible events. The WNC Peace Coalition was already planning a vigil on the evening of September 19, 2007 to mark four and a half years of US occupation of Iraq, so we felt that having Salee and her father, Abu Ali, come to that event would be a good idea. We also decided on a potluck dinner and a presentation, and this was hosted by the First Congregational Church of Asheville. I have to add that several other churches in our area also volunteered to host this potluck - they were touched by the story and wanted to help. One Episcopalian priest told me that this was how we were going to heal the damage we have done in Iraq - by reaching out person to person.
As I write this, we have discovered some fantastic news! The Shriners Hospital has accepted Rusul and she will be traveling to Greenville, SC soon. Our need for fundraising has become urgent. With several upcoming fundraisers and donated items waiting to be sold, we are anxious to get started.
Our first presentation will be next month, March 14th. During the Social Justice Movie Night at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, Ann Cothran will be traveling up from Greenville to speak about No More Victims and to show a movie about Salee. Although this is not an official fundraiser for Rusul, we will seek donations.
Our first major fundraiser will be the weekend of April 12th. Some details still need to be worked out and we will update here when the final plans are set.
The occupation of Iraq continues and I feel so helpless sometimes. Being a part of the No More Victims - Asheville group gives me hope and a feeling that I can help. I am grateful for the sisterhood we have.
No More Victims first came to my attention a few years back, but it was in the summer of 2007 that I discovered that one of the children they are helping was in Greenville, SC - which is only 75 miles from my home town of Asheville, NC. So, right then and there I decided to try and get this child, Salee, to come to Asheville for a visit.
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