The United States Of Widowmakers

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/22/AR2006072200920.html

Widows Often Find Help Elusive in Iraq
Growing Demand Strains Welfare Net

By Joshua Partlow
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 23, 2006; Page A16

BAGHDAD -- She has progressed a few paces in five hours under the glaring sun, but still the line of women in black robes stretches far in front of her. In three more hours, the Labor Ministry will close, and Aida Qamel will return home for another few months, until she has another free day to search for someone who will listen to a widow's story in Baghdad.

"My husband was blown up in his video game shop. I was a housewife," she begins quietly, keeping one arm firmly wrapped around her 7-year-old son, Mohammed.

Another widow interrupts. "I have seven children and my house collapsed."

Then more women from the line crowd in, speaking over one another as if it is all the same story.

"I've got two handicaps, and my husband was a farmer. Now we have nothing."

"Can someone just get me some cold water?"