Michael Symons

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

After 10 days in #Iraq and nearly $300K raised for orphans, I'm finally home. Thanks @ChildAidIntl for the amazing experience! #walk4life

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

Sampling the wares at Al Shakarchee Sweets in #Karbala. Apparently this was Saddam's fave - he kidnapped the baker!

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

A lunch with fish from Al Furat in #Karbala. #Iraq #walk4life @ChildAidIntl

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

Last leg of the journey. It's so hard to say goodbye to #Iraq: such incredibly resilient people. What an incredible experience! #walk4life

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

On my flight MUC to YUL. After 10 days in #Iraq I'm going thru culture shock! It feel strange not to end conversations with "Masalama."

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

Employees at IST believe that life is suffering and do everything in their power to prove it to their customers.

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

Me to @urbvancouverite in NJF: "Hey, that guy looks khoja. Go see if you're related to him." He wasn't but I'm sure one of our group was.

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

On our way home: NFJ - IST - MUC - YUL - YVR. Ya Khuda! @childaidintl #walk4life

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

Leaving Karbala: sad goodbyes to our gracious hosts and to Abu Haider, our tireless volunteer here. On to Najaf, then home!

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

I just heard a heartbreaking story about a widow who had to identify her husband's body in pieces after a sectarian bombing. So tragic.

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

The kids and their mothers here have been through so much, it's inspiring to see the will they have to build a better life for themselves.

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

Visited another group of families including Samaah's: a beautiful young child whose mother wants to set up a small business out of her home.

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

Met an enterprising widow named Umm Ali: she makes and sells religious goods from her home in #Karbala. CAI wants to help grow her business.

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

We visited Ayaat yesterday: she is such a delightful girl with such a tragic story. Child Aid helps but I wish there was more we could do...

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

Another car bomb in Hilla, south of #Karbala, killing 18 people. This place can be so tragic... @ChildAidInt #walk4life

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

@mohamedadewji Good point, although we did put up a partition between the mens and ladies glasses...

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

Just finished a pilgrimage to Al Shakarchee Sweets. It was a religious experience that should be part of every Ziaraat.

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

Got told off in #Karbala today for clinking glasses. That's a first. Surely there are bigger fish to fry in this country...

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

@mahmoodjaffer Everything is great so far: just living the dream in Karbala.

[Michael Symons @abdielbc]

Morning in Karbala: it's a cacophony of roosters crowing, dogs barking, and cars honking. Just another day in the life of a Karbalai.