Through An Iraqi Child's Eyes

Orato.com: How old are you?

Mohammed: I am 15 years old, in grade 9. I live with my father, mother, four brothers and two sisters.

Orato.com: Where do you live?

Mohammed: I live in sector 55 of Sadr City in Baghdad.

Orato.com: What is war?

Mohammed: War means houses destroyed, people killed or maimed, bombing, blackouts, restricted movement, air-raids, fear, instability, people ejected from their own homes and cities, militia exploiting people to achieve vicious ends and people that cannot go to work to earn money.

Orato.com: How does the war in your country make you feel?

Mohammed: I feel war is affecting all sides of people's life badly; families lose fathers or children, their houses are taken by militia and many had to leave their homes. People want to flee the country because they cannot endure the suffering more or they are threatened to be killed if they don't leave.

Orato.com: What do you think of America?

Mohammed: I think America is a beautiful and big country and its people are leading happy, stable and prosperous lives.

Orato.com: How do you imagine American children feel about the war?

Mohammed: I am sure they would feel sad and they don't like it when other children in Iraq or anywhere would face hardships.

Orato.com: What is the worst thing that has happened to you or your country since the war?

Mohammed: Three of my cousins and my uncle were killed in the war.

Orato.com: How has Iraq and your life changed since the war started?

Mohammed: At the beginning we felt that we were moving towards a brighter days and better life, but it was only one year before the deterioration had started to destroy our life.

Orato.com: How do you imagine your life will be when it is over?