At our incredible Yezidi students who are the first in Kurdistan ( in all of Iraq come to that ) to study for an university degree online. Such a joy to see them set up and at home in their Shariya camp based study centre.
Meet Amal, just married, our woman pioneer..." I would like to thank Springs of Hope Foundation for the hope to study again after the Isis genocide, and to University of the People for opening the door" May I add, that we highly desire to see many women follow in Amal's footsteps.
" Although we were displaced from Sinjar on August 3, 2014 and now we are living in Shariya Camp, we didn't give up and we continue our studying and this is due to the Springs of Hope Foundation which opened the gate of hope for many students who missed university because of war in our region" Farhan 1.
" I would like to thank Springs of Hope Foundation for its invaluable activities in our community, and thank you for the opportunity to study online at one of the best universities " Waleed. Waleed is one who ask him to come at 3pm to work on his registration ..he will be waiting outside at 2.30. We never needed to ask him to help, he was always there ready and waiting, just give him the chance.
And I think that is true of all our Yezidi students. Just give them the chance, they will sweat, fight and wrestle with the technics of computer science, with the language with keeping up with a US system. Just give them the chance for a future.
" After the Shingal crisis that displaced us many students gave up on their studies due to financial reasons. I wish to thank Springs of Hope Foundation and University of the People for this opportunity to continue to study and to serve our community in the future. " Fawzi. Whenever we need help, installing the kitchen in our centre, preparing the electricity, whatever it is, Fawzi is there. Our space is theirs. It belongs to them, its home.
And Faris...One day he will be a Professor. This is a " watch this space " one. Like most of our students, Faris lives in a tent with his family. He however lives in Khanke about 30 minutes drive from our centre. He is determined to get ahead. He will.
And then there is Hassan who fought hard to grab this opportunity " My thanks, appreciation and respect to SOHF and UoP under these conditions and difficulties we have in Iraq to give me a new hope, so that I can stand on my own feet and complete my dreams by studying. " Hassan so desperately wanted his wife to study. Her English just didn't reach the mark. I remember one sad conversation around our kitchen table where he was saying that he would do the work for her, just so that she could have a degree to her name. Our hope is to open an English prep course for potential university students. Meanwhile Hassan's wife is about to give birth to their first child.
And last but very far from least, we have Farhan 2, who still lives in Shingal and travels four hours each way to be a very active part of our student body. Fawzi is ahead of everyone and even himself. He has taken the natural role of Group Advisor and problem shooter!!
We are so proud of each one of you! Cheering you along from the sidelines. You are all so different though so alike. You are all determined, you are all fighters. You will all win. You already have! Your future is bright, we are proud to be walking alongside you as you enter it.
Students interested in joining our Shariya Study Centre, should contact us at www.springsofhope.foundation. We will be taking applications for January 2018.
