Hundreds of children waited in line to see the special visitors in the back rooms of their elementary school. Some shook with eager anticipation while others trembled in fear, not knowing what was around the corner.

As each boy and girl entered, they were delighted to see smiles and hear reassuring words as they were gently greeted by members of the Children’s Heart Project staff.

The Children’s Heart Project is the Samaritan’s Purse ministry that identifies children with heart defects who live in countries where the required medical expertise and equipment are not available. Those with life-threatening conditions are brought to North America for surgery.

On this day, 731 children were screened at an elementary school in the Kurdish area of Iraq, where many orphans and widows reside.

“Thank you very much for coming!” said Ali Neyiz, the president of the City Revival Association. "The doctors have been working so hard."

After a swift brush of the stethoscope on the chest and a quick squeeze of the foot to check for blood circulation, the doctors sent the boys and girls back to class.

“We see these kids less than five minutes and you hope and pray that as you smile at them and lay hands on them and pray for them that somehow, someway you have shared the love of Christ with them,” said Kim Milhoan, Children’s Heart Project pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist.

By the end of the day, 35 children with known heart defects were seen by cardiologists. An additional 25 children were asked to return for additional tests.

Dr. Barbara Jo Achuff, a pediatrician from Pennsylvania, said the purpose of screening all the children is to catch the small group that may need help before it is too late. If any of the children’s heart beats seem suspect, they are sent to the community center in town, which has a medical clinic. Several children were identified as possible surgical candidates.

The Children’s Heart Project team, which is made up of 10 individuals, spent a week in Kurdistan doing heart screenings in local schools and heart echoes in the medical clinic.

“The parents are incredibly gracious and loving about the fact that someone is providing care for their children,” Dr. Minette Son said. “It is amazing how open and welcome they are to us.”

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

PRAY:

GIVE:

Samaritan's Purse , Iraq , Children's Heart Project , Preventative Medicine