Dr. Tala Al-Khalil is an Iraqi pharmacist from Basra who became widely known as the “Mother of the Warriors” after founding the Warriors Academy in 2016 to support children with cancer and children with special needs. She has successfully transformed the lives of more than 500 children by providing psychological and educational support, and she was crowned “Top Hope Maker” in the Arab World in 2024.
Key information about Dr. Tala Al-Khalil:
She began her volunteer journey in 2015 at Basra Children’s Hospital, where she dedicated her efforts to caring for children with cancer and children with special needs (such as Down syndrome and hearing and speech impairments) by providing psychological support and promoting social inclusion.
In 2016, she established the Warriors Academy to serve as an educational and recreational refuge for sick children. Through this initiative, she succeeded in integrating them into society, helping them continue their education, and developing their talents.
She was given the title “Mother of the Warriors” due to her exceptional care for the children, whom she considers her own. In 2024, she won the Hope Maker Award in the “Hope Makers” initiative in the United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Al-Khalil believes in the importance of planting hope and bringing smiles to children, whether during the final days of their lives or throughout their treatment journey.
Translated by
Prof.Aula Abdual Ghaffour Muhammad Salah