International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

Young artist

Amala’s Story

Amala’s husband was a prominent business owner in Baghdad who was kidnapped by insurgents because of his family’s wealth and status. Amala sold the family belongings to collect the ransom, not knowing if she would see her husband again. Months later, her husband was dumped in front of their home. Although he had endured several months of being hung by his wrists and whipped, his physical wounds were never treated because the family was terrified that if he left the house he would be kidnapped again.

NSC resettled Amala, her husband, and their two young children as refugees and continues to provide support to the family. Her husband currently receives treatment for his wounds, Amala receives psychological counseling, and their children will soon have access to art therapy to help them cope with witnessing their father’s kidnapping.

On this day, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we are given an opportunity to reflect on the needs of survivors of torture who are making Philadelphia their new home. NSC is committing itself to serve survivors of torture and we hope that you will join us. We are eager to offer survivors the chance to become contributing members of the Philadelphia community.

We need your support toprovide survivors of torture like Amala and her family with vital services to rebuild their lives and to transform their experience from that of pain and suffering into a renewed sense of meaning.

  • $25 for art therapy session for a child who has witnessed acts of violence so that she/he may begin to express and communicate emotions
  • $75 for a psychological and physical health evaluation for one survivor so that the survivors wounds can begin to heal
  • $150 for the cost of 2 months transportation assistance to help a survivor get to critical appointments including physical and occupational therapy, counseling, doctors visits, and meetings with their attorney
  • $300 40 hours of case management support to help a survivor access needed resources and services

Ways to Give!

  • Donate Online!
  • Donate via Fax using our Contributions Form!
  • Send a check via mail to: Nationalities Service Center, c/o Development Department, 1216 Arch Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

To discuss other ways to give, please contact Kathrin P. Ivanovic, Director of Development at 215.893.8400 x 1522 or kivanovic@nscphila.org.