As a local guide, I got to know friends from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Albania, Ukraine and India.
I participated with them in groups on the Hangout and WhatsApp Apps and Many friends from different cultures
But on 2019 / Aug / 03
I received a message on my E-mail, From Mrs. Marcela, asked me about Abu Nawas Street and Al-Alawiya Square. She contacted me because I Shared a 360-degree photo about Abu Nawas Gardens
She was very interested in the details of the place, about the street names there and the old buildings. She asked me whether I live in Iraq and am I Iraqi?
She told me about her story, she is married to a man of Iraqi descent, and that her(Father-in-law) husband’s father, at the age of 84, is Jewish of Iraqi descent who used to live in Baghdad / Al-Alawiya Square (In Past).
Her (Father-in-law) name is “Abraham Yeheskel Khabusha”
Iraqi-born, he lived during his childhood in Baghdad and the days of his boy too, at the age of 14 he and his family Forced to leave from Iraq for political reasons(In 1950 March The Iraqi government deported all Iraqi Jews outside of Iraq)
He misses to Iraq and remembers all the features and details of old Baghdad,
such asAl-Rashid Street,Abu Nawas, Al-Alawiya Square, the Christian Cultural Center, the Tigris, and Euphrates River.
He has cancer and struggling with the disease. He has the hope to return to Iraq and visit his home, which he left in Iraq and enjoys the cities of Iraq and the heritage of his fathers. However, the diplomatic and political relations between Israel and Iraq do not permit this
So Miss Marcela asked me to photograph Baghdad’s place with details of the ancient Iraq cities
She asked this to be a beautiful gift that refreshes the memory of her (Father-in-law), Abraham and puts a smile on his face.
As a Google volunteer, as a local guide, as a loving peace message and as a union with human identity, I fulfilled this desire for Uncle Abraham.
When he saw the pictures, He was very happy, grateful and asked to speak to me directly over the phone in the Iraqi language
I was so happy with this job and proud of myself
I caused someone’s happiness
I made something positive for him and help his family to relieve his pain
I am glad I have an impact and I am here to make the difference.
I publishing photos, comments, editing, and adding new places on the map, But now I learned to add history and feelings of love to places
Every place has a story, attitude, and memory. Childhood places to play, have fun with friends and neighbors or roads leading to the school or the market,
so what I and other local guides doing is valuable because we deal with human feelings
It’s awesome our passion as being Local Guide can make people happy around the World! Thank you for sharing! Good luck with your application!