CINI's History
The founding of Children In Need International is a remarkable story, one that is both inspiring and heartbreaking. It is the story of how one ordinary American woman came face to face with the real life and death struggles of Iraqi children living in a dangerous and unstable country, how she opened her heart and her life to respond with extraordinary love, compassion, and determination in order to save lives. In the process, she has changed the lives of those who have become involved with her in CINI.
Over the past 28 years, the medical system in Iraq has been under tremendous pressure. There has continually been either war or sanctions. As a result, the medical care delivery system for over 28 million people is in shambles. Doctors have fled in hopes of saving their own lives and the lives of their families. Meanwhile, parents are left to watch in disbelief and horror while a child suffers due to the lack of medical attention. The overwhelming need was first made known to Brenda McFerrin, CINI's founder, through the horrific injuries received by a beautiful four-year old girl named Shams.
While playing in her backyard in Baghdad, Shams was hit by insurgent mortar fire. U.S. soldiers found her and brought her to a military hospital where American doctors worked feverishly to stabilize her. Her injuries were severe, with one arm shattered and one leg partially amputated. The National Iraqi Assistance Center (NIAC) arranged for Shams to receive medical care through Shriners Childrens Hospital in Sacramento, CA, but had no way to get her there, no one to escort her and her mother, no translator or lodging for her mother (who would be there with Shams for the 16 month rehabilitation process).
Captain Tetreault of NIAC contacted Dan McFerrin, Brenda's husband, who was working as a Program Manager for ECC, a U.S. contracting company. When Dan brought the case to Paul Sabharwal, owner of ECC, he not only agreed to fund the trip for Shams and her mother, Najat, but also committed to finding a host family to help them throughout their stay in the U.S. ECC transported Najat and Shams to Jordan on a company plane and provided meals and lodging for three days. From Chicago, Brenda escorted them to Sacramento and on her own volition, stayed with them for two weeks to ensure a successful transition
Brenda was now aware that she was in a very unique position to help other Iraqi children. ECC continued to be petitioned by NIAC to assist with logistical support for children that needed to be treated outside of Iraq. As she began to make contact with charities operating in the region, she realized that while there were various charities that offered acute medical care outside of Iraq, there was no existing charity that worked to get the children out of Iraq so that they could access the available care. Recognizing this tremendous opportunity and gap that needed to be filled, Brenda eagerly stepped in and founded Children In Need International.
Our focus on collaboration and avoidance of redundancy within the existing network of charities is one of the things that make CINI unique. Whether what is needed is as mundane as managing a complex paperwork process, as personal as escorting children and guardians to Jordan or the US, or as demanding as negotiating with doctors and hospitals for reduced fees, CINI is there. We are determined to fill in any gaps that keep these children from reaching the aid that is available to them. And you need to know that no one else is doing what we do! We truly are unique in our mission.
Of great importance to you, as you consider a donation to CINI, we are getting 100% of our funds directly to the children who need it. We can do this because of our strong volunteer network, our in-kind donors, a private donation to cover administrative costs, and our unpaid working board of directors.