Editor 's note : Since 2007 , CNN and CNN.com have followed the story of Youssif , an Iraqi boy disfigured when he was burned by attackers . Today , CNN 's Arwa Damon catches up with the boy and his family , now living in California where Youssif is undergoing treatment . Today Youssif goes to school in California and continues to have treatment to help his scars . LOS ANGELES , California ( CNN ) -- Youssif stands on stage beaming as he belts out `` Jingle Bell Rock , '' his tiny burned hands waving in sync with his classmates at Hamlin Street School . His mother , Zaineb , stands at the back , cradling his little sister , Aya , tears rolling down her face . `` I am so proud of him , '' she says . `` It reminds me of what he was like in Iraq when he used to sing in kindergarten . I felt for a moment that none of this had happened . My son was back , without fear , strong . '' Youssif spots us , and waves wildly . Little appears to remain of the sullen and withdrawn dark-eyed boy we first met in Baghdad more than a year ago . It has been almost two years since masked men in Baghdad doused Youssif , then just 4 years old , in gasoline and set him on fire . His mother still does n't sleep at night . `` I still blame myself . I should have protected him . Sometimes I say to myself that I wish it had happened to me , just not to him . '' Zaineb says , her voice starting to quiver . `` If only I had n't let him go out to play that day . '' Today Youssif plays freely , without fear . `` Let 's race '' he shouts to his friend Brandon as the two boys dash across the schoolyard . A couple of minutes later the two are playfully jostling over a rubber ball . Youssif shrieks and bursts into laughter as the two play catch . `` It 's like this weight has been lifted off of me , off of him , '' his father , Wissam , says . `` It 's like we 've left this dark , depressing state where we were consumed by Youssif and the attack that had happened . You know , it 's so hard to see a child , my child , go through something like this . When I see him like this , I feel like he 's coming back . '' Watch more on Youssif 's recovery » . After CNN and CNN.com first reported Youssif 's story in 2007 , more than 12,000 CNN.com users contributed to a fund set up by the Children 's Burn Foundation of Sherman Oaks California , enabling the boy and his family to travel to the United States for treatment . Youssif has undergone more than a dozen surgeries . Much of the thick scar tissue around his eyes , mouth and nose -- left by his treatment in Baghdad -- has been removed . He currently has yet another tissue expander in his left cheek , intended to stretch out `` good skin '' to be used to replace his scar tissue . Youssif has grown used to the sometimes painful treatments . `` When I started this process of tissue expansion , I would have to chase him around the room , '' Dr. Peter Grossman , Youssif 's surgeon , tells us as he injects more liquid into the expander . `` We 'd need three people to hold him down for these injections . '' Youssif will probably have many more surgeries stretched out over time . `` The problem we have with Youssif is that every operation we do tends to heal well after surgery , but then a month after , he starts to form these really thick scars , '' Grossman said . `` It 's probably best at this time to let his body relax , let these scars mature over a period of a year or two years . '' Today , Youssif grimaces in pain but braves it alone , refusing to take his father 's hand . `` Seven or eight times put water , '' Youssif says back at home , explaining how the tissue expansion works . `` I am not scared . It goes here , '' he says pointing to the scarring over his lip . He 's not all that interested in talking about medical procedures . `` When I sharpen this it broke , '' he says , trotting over with his new pencils . We all smile . `` You cut it like this '' he orders , handing me scissors and what is meant to be a snowman he 's just drawn . A few moments later I am being berated for coloring `` wrong . '' `` Great , I am taking orders from a 6-year-old '' I think to myself , laughing . Keely Quinn with the Children 's Burn Foundation comes by for an extra reading lesson . They are reading one of the `` Five Little Monkeys '' books , Youssif 's favorite . By the time I join them on the couch , Youssif 's got Dr. Seuss ' `` Foot Book . '' `` What 's the biggest change you 've seen in him in the last year ? '' I ask her . Youssif pipes up , reading , `` Small feet , big feet . '' `` Aside from reading and learning English , '' Keely says as we 're both laughing . `` I think it 's the change in confidence , in his ability to handle himself in social situations . He 's worked really hard in saying good morning to his teachers , saying hello back , answering questions and just gaining social confidence . '' He 's thriving at school , loving the first grade . `` He 's amazing , '' his teacher Mario Daley says . `` I work with children of all levels of ability , and Youssif , with what he 's gone through , his motivation , what he produces is fantastic . He just tries so hard . '' Before the attack , Zaineb says , Youssif wanted to be a doctor . Now he says `` I want to be a doctor to help burned Iraqi children . ''
Boy continues to be treated in Baghdad for his burns , scars . He is enrolled in school and learning English . More surgeries lie ahead . Youssif was doused with gasoline , set on fire by masked men in California .