Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know that Noora is doing wonderfully. She has now had two post-op check-ups and is progressing along just as they had hoped. This past Thursday, her suture line had healed enough that they were able to begin the balloon expansion process, which will eventually create the skin that will cover the new prosthetic skull. Dr. Atwood will be expanding the balloon every 5-7 days for the next 6(+) weeks. Thankfully, the procedure is essentially painless!

Noora and Afef were honored to attend a lovely Sunday afternoon picnic, hosted by the Woodford’s Congregational Church in Portland, a couple of weeks ago (Woodford’s Church was one of the first organizations to sponsor a fundraising event for this project months before Noora’s arrival). Noora’s face lit up like a lightbulb when she saw that dalmas (grape leaves stuffed with rice, raisins, etc.) were on the menu! It’s one of her favorite foods, and one that she frequently talks her mom into making for her (per Afef). And, last week, Aynne Doil (a volunteer at RMH) kindly put on a delicious Middle Eastern dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, which Afef and Noora said “tasted just like home”. In anticipation of Ramadan, which began last Monday and continues throughout the month of Sept., Afef said he ate with fasting in mind. He will be abstaining from both food and fluid from sunup to sundown. Also during this time, both he and Noora will be attending nightly prayers and meals at the mosque.

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Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note to let you all know that Noora’s surgery went as well as they had hoped and that she is back at the Ronald McDonald House after an overnight in the hospital. Noora slept much of the day after the surgery, waking for short periods of time to talk or video/conference with her family in Iraq. Come 3:00 in the morning, however, Afef said she was wide awake and ready to play! As you can see from the photographs she’s now sporting a new headdress, which she’s not particularly thrilled about and fortunately will only have to wear for a short period of time while the wound heals. It’s been a tiring couple of days for both father and daughter but she is well on her way to feeling herself again!

Thank you so much for your love and concern,
Susi and Doug

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Hi Everyone,

We’ve had a moment to catch our breaths and wanted to send out a quick update to let those of you, who haven’t heard, know that Nora and Afef arrived in Portland on Thursday afternoon without a hitch and have been quickly and fluidly adjusting to their new home at the Ronald McDonald House. Nora is absolutely delightful, full of energy and an abundance of smiles. She is constantly engaging us in Arabic, no doubt with hopes that if she just keeps speaking we are bound to eventually understand her language! Afef (a delight himself!) actually speaks quite a bit of English and has made significant improvements even in the past couple of days.

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Woodsford Congregational Church in Portland, Maine recently held a successful fundraiser they called “An Evening for Nora”.  Middle Eastern cuisine was served, there was music and dancing, and a wonderful time was had by all as the community came together in an effort to help little Nora.

“Project Nora” is now in full swing and moving along as planned. We were honored to have Cole Miller (Founder) and Ann Cothran (National Community Coordinator) here in the Portland area, this past week, to speak at several locations. Many thanks to all of you who were able to attend one of the speaking engagements which were graciously hosted by Bowdoin College, Kennebunk Rotary, Kennebunk Unitarian Church and Woodfords Congregational Church in Portland. The purpose of the speaking engagements was to educate the community on the mission of No More Victims and to stimulate the community’s involvement in “Project Nora”, which is vital to its success.

From now until Nora and her father’s arrival this spring, our most pressing needs are donations and fundraising. If you live in the Portland or surrounding areas and are interested in making a donation, starting a fundraiser or assisting with a fundraiser, please contact one of the lead coordinators, Susi Eggenberger or Doug Rogers at 985-0234 or seggenberger@verizon.net. We are happy to assist you in any way we can and will be most grateful for any contribution you are able to give.