From Iraqi orphanage to overnight fame in Australia
Emmanuel Kelly and his brother Ahmed Mustafa, were adopted from Mother Teresa Orphanage in Baghdad, both suffering limb deficiencies as a result of chemical warfare used by Saddam Hussein. Emmanuel, now 17 and a resident of Melbourne Australia, is dreaming of a recording career after moving judges and audiences to tears on the popular 'The X Factor' TV talent show. He wowed Ronan Keating, Spice Girl Mel Brown, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Guy Sebastian with his heartfelt performance of the John Lennon classic Imagine on last night's audition show.
Emanuel and his brother were abandoned at the Iraqi orphanage and later rescued by Moira Kelly, the well known humanitarian and founder of Children First Foundation, who has dedicated her life to humanitarian causes after being inspired by Mother Theresa. Moira is also also the guardian of the once-conjoined Bangladeshi twins, Krishna and Trishna. In 2001 she was awarded the Order of Australia in recognition of her humanitarian service to both the Australian and international communities. In 2003, Kelly received the Victorian of the Year award and in 2003 and 2004, she was nominated for the Australian of the Year awards.
Emmanuel's brother, Ahmed Mustafa is a quadruple amputee and a swimmer who has set his sights on representing Australia in the 2012 Paralympics in London.
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