Sumaya and Anmar, Glasgow

Sumaya Hamza came to the UK from Bagdad in October 2003 with her son Anmar, leaving her husband and three other children in Jordan. They have been refused asylum and their case has been closed, but they are in the process of appealing to the Home Office to re-open the case.

One day in early 2003, Anmar was on his way home from school when he saw something glittering by the side of the road. He went to investigate, and a cluster bomb blew up in his face. He has lost his right arm below the elbow, three fingers on his left hand, and has severe facial injuries. He was treated first in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, then transferred to London. At that time, the Emirates were funding Anmar's treatment, but funding was stopped in January 2005, when Sumaya applied for asylum in the UK. One month later they were dispersed to Glasgow, where Anmar is receiving continued treatment.