Zakho Social Projects

Reliefwork & Distribution

The focus of our NGO work is on three poor settlements in the city of Zakho. Most of the people live in simple houses with a nylon roof or with a corrugated iron. They are originally from Zakho. Some are IDP’s from Central Iraq or some refugees from Syra. But most are local Kurds in around 200 houses. We provided them regularly with a good food package and during wintertime a can of white kerosene. This basic provision is a welcome contribution for each household. During the rainy period we gave a nylon tarp for each house if it was necessary. Because a lot of the roofs are under bad maintenance.

Craft & Business Project

As a next step in community development, we did courses in vocational training. Relief work is important but not sustainable. Support to learn a craft, special skills or to open a small business is much more sustainable. So, we opened a Learning Center next to our poor settlements and started computer courses in cooperation with a local Computer teacher. Young men and women between 16 and 30 years came and learned basics in Windows applications like Office and Excel. Each course lasted 12 days and concluded with a diploma award. We also provided several sewing courses for women.

Environment & Tree Planting

A big need is raising awareness of environmental issues. The government, schools and some organizations have already started but Kurdistan needs more effort in this basic topic. Our environment with its three main factors – soil, air and water – is the basis of our daily life. Trees have a huge influence on the quality of fertile soil, clean air and storage of water. We started to speak with the locals in our poor settlements about the importance of trees for the environment and the life of men and animals. We planted many fruit trees together with the local people in their house yard or in their small garden. We give good advice on how to take care of the trees in summer and wintertime. So, it’s a benefit for men and environment. We are grateful that we can be a part of a holistic and sustainable contribution.