We've received some requests (thank you, Ms. Mason!) for an address where students can send letters to Youssif, the five-year-old Iraqi boy who was badly burned in an attack. He's now undergoing treatment at the Childrens Burn Foundation in California. Here's where you can send him your well wishes:
Youssif – Care of Keely Quinn
Childrens Burn Foundation
5000 Van Nuys Blvd, Suite 300
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-1784
Thank you all for your e-mail concerning this story. We're sure Youssif would approve.
Thanks for the address, Carl. Those letters will be going out in the mail this week.
Ms. Mason
Snellville Middle School
I teach 9th grade World Geography and we show the news everyday. It is the way we open every World Geography class. The kids just love the puns and humor in the "Before We Go" and the Shoutouts are always a favorite.
But, I have never had such quiet and engaged students as during the stories on Youssif. The first story really opened up a wonderful discussion in my classes about the effects of war on kids. I told them about the book, The Kite Runner, and we may all plan to go and see the movie when it comes out in November.
The reason I am writing today is to thank you for the follow-up story. The students were so excited to be able to see what had happened with Youssif after his first surgeries. Many of the students asked me to write and let you know how much the follow-up stories this Friday excited them. Their comment was that once a story airs, sometimes they never know how it ends. Please continue to include follow ups as a regular part of your news. We love it! Keep us posted on the "Jena 6" (WOW what a great discussion that opened up) and on little Youssif.
Thanks for all you do-we love watching. World Geography Students and Mrs. Young
Burleson High School, Burleson, Texas
I wonder how many other Youssifs are there that don't get any help.