Rebuilding Community, Rebuilding Hope
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This summer marked the tenth anniversary of the invasion of towns and villages across the Nineveh Plains by the so-called Islamic State. As a result, thousands were forced to flee their homes, and of those who stayed many were taken captive by IS - some of whom remain missing today.
A decade on, the region stills grapples with the lasting effects of the conflict. The scars of war run deep, and communities continue to struggle to rebuild and heal from the trauma inflicted upon them. However, as we mark this sombre milestone, there are also stories of hope. This summer we celebrated the successful launch of our latest Nineveh SEED project: a community cafe in the Christian town of Teleskof.
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Awatef is a widow with four children. She encouraged her daughter, Sally, to take part in the project. Sally already ran a small cake-making business from her home to help support her family. Awatef explained how her daughter was nervous at first:
She practised and practised the cakes at home in front of us multiple times and they tasted delicious!
Awatef told us how important the cafe project is for the community: since the destruction of the town by ISIS, people have had to travel to Duhok or Mosul to buy such products, which is too expensive.
We have faith, and hopefully this project will grow bigger and bigger.
Through our Nineveh SEED projects, Mosaic is commited to promoting economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods which are proven to foster hope and resilience within the community. By supporting local entrepreneurship, vocational training, and job creation initiatives, we are standing alongside the people of Teleskof, who are determined to rebuild their economy and create a better future for themselves and their families.
While progress has been made, the journey towards recovery is ongoing. External factors such as political instability and economic uncertainty continue to pose challenges,
As we reflect on the ten-year mark since the invasion by ISIS, we are acutely aware of the need to continue supporting projects such as the community cafe in Teleskof. Such initiatives serve as an investment in peace by providing economic empowerment and security where there has been displacement and destruction.
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The community cafe project in Teleskof is run in partnership with the Chaldean Church of St George, and religious leaders and project participants prayed together at the opening of the cafe.
Live Appeal Every Class Counts
Help children affected by conflict and displacement learn, catch up and build their future.
For children and young people across the Middle East, conflict and displacement have interrupted far more than where they live.
They have interrupted childhoods. Friendships. Routine. And, often, years of education.
This autumn, Mosaic’s Every Class Counts Appeal is raising funds for education programmes in Iraq and Jordan - from preschool provision for refugee children in Amman, to accelerated learning for Yazidi teenagers, and the urgent restoration of damaged schools in Sinjar.
Because every child deserves a safe place to learn, and every class can be a step towards a more hopeful future.
Your Gift can provide:
A Strong Start
At our Olive Tree Centres in Amman, preschool care gives young refugee children a safe, nurturing place to learn, play and build confidence. It also gives parents the time and freedom to take part in classes and support at the Centres. A strong start can shape everything that follows.Catching Up on Lost Learning
Our Accelerated Education Programme helps Yazidi teenagers recover education interrupted by years of conflict and displacement. Specialist teaching supports students to prepare for national exams and opens pathways to further education and employment. Every lesson recovered creates new possibilities for the future.Rebuilding Schools, Rebuilding Communities
In Sinjar, returning families are rebuilding lives in communities where schools and infrastructure still bear the scars of conflict. Mosaic is helping restore damaged classrooms and essential facilities so children can learn safely and happily in their own communities. A restored school is a powerful sign that there is a future at home.Learning, Confidence and Belonging
Across our education programmes, children gain more than academic skills. Safe, consistent learning environments help rebuild routine, friendships, confidence and a sense of belonging after upheaval. Education gives children and young people the tools to move forward and the confidence to imagine what comes next.
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Your gift can help provide safe, welcoming education for children and young people