It’s been a very busy half year with volunteering English teachers (degreed and with TESOL certificates) from India, Pakistan, Iraq, Lesotho, England and Americans in the Netherlands etc. and almost 125 Yezidi students registered.
Since early August, we’ve welcomed a new team member: our first Administrator! Omer, a 28-year-old Yazidi, who brings both heart and talent to the role. He completed his bachelor’s degree on a scholarship in Lithuania two and a half years ago and has since been living in the Netherlands—still waiting for residency status.
Despite the uncertainty, Omer hasn’t stood still. He taught himself impressive Dutch starting with Duolingo and is ready to work—but like many, he’s caught in the middle of a political climate where stricter immigration policies are making it harder for talented young people to move forward.
Omer has already become an essential part of our school. He now handles student registration, placement tests, and group coordination. He connects teachers with new student groups and also keeps track of Yazidi students in the Netherlands who need a donated smartphone to access online classes. Many of these students are asylum seekers, with their families still in Iraq or Kurdistan.
We’re incredibly grateful to Omer for the dedication and energy he brings to our team.
The Challenge of Returning Home for Yazidi Families
The Iraqi government has announced plans to empty all IDP camps, including those housing Yazidi families. While some funds have been allocated to rebuild homes in Shingal—the Yazidi homeland—reconstruction remains a massive challenge.
Ten years ago, ISIS brutally murdered thousands of Yazidis and abducted many young girls. They destroyed homes, looted belongings, and left villages in ruins. Despite this, many young families have started new lives in the camps. These families often do not own land or have clear options for building new homes, leaving their future uncertain.
Is Shingal safe for the Yazidi? Many say no. As one community member shared with me, “It’s not a question of if we will be killed again, but when.”
The funding provided by Iraq is insufficient to rebuild, let alone build anew. Infrastructure is in critical condition—water, electricity, schools, and medical facilities are all lacking. For example, those who need medical care often have to travel one to two hours to reach the nearest doctor.
Schooling is a major hurdle too. Children living in remote rural areas must often walk one to two hours to reach school. Many don’t attend regularly because their families cannot afford the $20 per child per month bus fare.
These challenges are beyond what we can solve alone. But with your help, we can continue to support our teachers in providing as much education as possible. We can assist families with clothing and essentials, maintain and grow our website, and keep building this vital learning community.