Wadi and it’s partners in Iraqi-Kurdistan, Iraq and Greece continued their various activities and were able to expand project and programs in 2023.
Wadi continued its mission almost unhampered and even expanded in several areas, despite some increasingly challenging factors, like the continuing economic crisis, growing tensions in the region and a deteriorating security situation.
Our decentralized structure with many close partners cooperating in a non-hierarchical way has made us not only resilient to many challenges, but also more effective. Small local organizations with team members from the community benefit massively from high credibility and trust of the people.
In cooperation with Jinda and ShredUp, Wadi established a new plastic recycling center in Kabarto camp, Duhok. It is run independently by camp residents for camp residents. This achieves various goals: It combats widespread plastic waste pollution in and around the camps, raises environmental awareness among residents, creates sustainable job opportunities and promotes personal responsibility and self-ownership.
The “Living with FGM” program has reached a new stage with Dr. Mahmoody’s publishing of a professional handbook for social workers on how to help women affected by FGM. Dr. Mahmoody wrote this comprehensive work based on his professional knowledge as a psychologist specialized in couple therapy and experience gained during the implementation of the program. The handbook will help new teams (whether from Wadi or other organizations) to build on the project’s lessons learnt and make their sessions more effective.
The mobile playgrounds extended their activities to Erbil and the surrounding area where a third bus is now operating. Although Erbil is a booming capital city, certain quarters in the outskirts are very poor and neglected, as well as many villages nearby. Garmyan and Ranya playbuses continued to offer their services at remote schools and kindergartens. Every time we arrive in a village with our colorful vehicle, we see that joy in the eyes of the children and even the elderly. This gives us more than enough energy to keep our mission going.
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