One day after her operation, Niga and her father rest in the room at Wolfson Hospital. Following her arrival from Amman, Niga contracted pneumonia, so the operation had to be postponed. By December 24, 2007, Niga has completely recovered, and will undergo open heart surgery the following day. In a humanitarian operation, the Israeli organization, Save a Child's Heart, secretly brought 5 Iraqi families (without the knowledge of the Iraqi government), whose children suffer from congenital heart defects, to undergo open heart surgery. This medical procedure does not exist in Iraq. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has operated on more than 1,000 sick children. Subsidized by donations, the organization is assisted by Wolfson Hospital that provides volunteer doctors, equipment and medical care, free of charge. Each operation costs $10,000. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

Ten days after her operation, Sakar has totally recovered and is in perfect health. In a playground near Wolfson Hospital in Holon, she is happy and plays on a swing, like all other children her age, watched emotionally by her father. In a humanitarian operation, the Israeli organization, Save a Child's Heart, secretly brought 5 Iraqi families (without the knowledge of the Iraqi government), whose children suffer from congenital heart defects, to undergo open heart surgery. This medical procedure does not exist in Iraq. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has operated on more than 1,000 sick children. Subsidized by donations, the organization is assisted by Wolfson Hospital that provides volunteer doctors, equipment and medical care, free of charge. Each operation costs $10,000. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

Ten days after her operation, Sakar's father, who is Muslim, says his daily prayer as he is watched by his daughter who has completely recovered. In a humanitarian operation, the Israeli organization, Save a Child's Heart, secretly brought 5 Iraqi families (without the knowledge of the Iraqi government), whose children suffer from congenital heart defects, to undergo open heart surgery. This medical procedure does not exist in Iraq. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has operated on more than 1,000 sick children. Subsidized by donations, the organization is assisted by Wolfson Hospital that provides volunteer doctors, equipment and medical care, free of charge. Each operation costs $10,000. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

Niga is led by the medical team to the operating theater where she will undergo an open heart operation at Wolfson Hospital, January 25, 2007. In a humanitarian operation, the Israeli organization, Save a Child's Heart, secretly brought 5 Iraqi families (without the knowledge of the Iraqi government), whose children suffer from congenital heart defects, to undergo open heart surgery. This medical procedure does not exist in Iraq. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has operated on more than 1,000 sick children. Subsidized by donations, the organization is assisted by Wolfson Hospital that provides volunteer doctors, equipment and medical care, free of charge. Each operation costs $10,000. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

Last minute preparations before Niga's open heart operation. The medical team administers the general anaesthetic in the operating theater at Wolfson Hospital, January 25, 2007. In a humanitarian operation, the Israeli organization, Save a Child's Heart, secretly brought 5 Iraqi families (without the knowledge of the Iraqi government), whose children suffer from congenital heart defects, to undergo open heart surgery. This medical procedure does not exist in Iraq. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has operated on more than 1,000 sick children. Subsidized by donations, the organization is assisted by Wolfson Hospital that provides volunteer doctors, equipment and medical care, free of charge. Each operation costs $10,000. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

The surgeons begin the operation on Niga's heart. A focus on the expert hands of surgeon Lior Sasson, head of cardiac patient care at Wolfson Hospital, January 25, 2007. In a humanitarian operation, the Israeli organization, Save a Child's Heart, secretly brought 5 Iraqi families (without the knowledge of the Iraqi government), whose children suffer from congenital heart defects, to undergo open heart surgery. This medical procedure does not exist in Iraq. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has operated on more than 1,000 sick children. Subsidized by donations, the organization is assisted by Wolfson Hospital that provides volunteer doctors, equipment and medical care, free of charge. Each operation costs $10,000. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

General view of Niga's chest as it is being sewn up by surgeon Lior Sasson, head of cardiac patient care at Wolfson Hospital, January 25, 2007. In a humanitarian operation, the Israeli organization, Save a Child's Heart, secretly brought 5 Iraqi families (without the knowledge of the Iraqi government), whose children suffer from congenital heart defects, to undergo open heart surgery. This medical procedure does not exist in Iraq. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has operated on more than 1,000 sick children. Subsidized by donations, the organization is assisted by Wolfson Hospital that provides volunteer doctors, equipment and medical care, free of charge. Each operation costs $10,000. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

A photo of Niga through the window of the operating theater, where she is undergong a 5 hour open heart operation at Wolfson Hospital, January 25, 2007. In a humanitarian operation, the Israeli organization, Save a Child's Heart, secretly brought 5 Iraqi families (without the knowledge of the Iraqi government), whose children suffer from congenital heart defects, to undergo open heart surgery. This medical procedure does not exist in Iraq. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has operated on more than 1,000 sick children. Subsidized by donations, the organization is assisted by Wolfson Hospital that provides volunteer doctors, equipment and medical care, free of charge. Each operation costs $10,000. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

Niga's father tells his wife the good results of the operation over the phone. Sakar, who underwent the same operation 10 days earlier, is present to support her friend's father, Wolfson Hospital, January 25, 2007. In a humanitarian operation, the Israeli organization, Save a Child's Heart, secretly brought 5 Iraqi families (without the knowledge of the Iraqi government), whose children suffer from congenital heart defects, to undergo open heart surgery. This medical procedure does not exist in Iraq. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has operated on more than 1,000 sick children. Subsidized by donations, the organization is assisted by Wolfson Hospital that provides volunteer doctors, equipment and medical care, free of charge. Each operation costs $10,000. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

Niga's father leans over to kiss his daughter who is still unconscious, having undergone open heart surgery at Wolfson Hospital, January 25, 2007. In a humanitarian operation, the Israeli organization, Save a Child's Heart, secretly brought 5 Iraqi families (without the knowledge of the Iraqi government), whose children suffer from congenital heart defects, to undergo open heart surgery. This medical procedure does not exist in Iraq. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has operated on more than 1,000 sick children. Subsidized by donations, the organization is assisted by Wolfson Hospital that provides volunteer doctors, equipment and medical care, free of charge. Each operation costs $10,000. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

Sakar stays close to Niga, who is still under the effect of the anaesthetic, and waits for her to wake up, January 25, 2007, at Wolfson Hospital. Still unconscious, Niga remains on the artificial respirator for many hours. In a humanitarian operation, the Israeli organization, Save a Child's Heart, secretly brought 5 Iraqi families (without the knowledge of the Iraqi government), whose children suffer from congenital heart defects, to undergo open heart surgery. This medical procedure does not exist in Iraq. Since its establishment in 1995, the organization has operated on more than 1,000 sick children. Subsidized by donations, the organization is assisted by Wolfson Hospital that provides volunteer doctors, equipment and medical care, free of charge. Each operation costs $10,000. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

Sakar, after recovering from her heart surgery in Israel, ending her journey at the holiest place for the Muslims in Israel - the Al-Aqsa Mosque. In the backround, her father on his way to pray in the Mosque. From here, she will cross to Jordan on her way back home to Iraq. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90.

Niga is held by her father after recovering from her heart surgery in Israel, ending her journey in the pedestrian mall of Ben Yehuda in the city center of Jerusalem. From here, she will cross to Jordan on her way back home to Iraq. Photo by Nati Shohat /Flash90.