Last year, the self-proclaimed Islamic State –also known as ISIS –occupied a range of Iraqi areas and among them Mosul. Iraqi forces handed over their weapons and tanks to the Islamic State and so civilians chose to flee their beloved city into escape the brutal rule of the terrorists. Most of them sought refuge in Kurdistan. Soran city embraced a number of refugees and its people welcome the refugees warmly.
A group of lecturers from Soran University decided to assist these refugees. They not only helped the needy with their material needs, but also with educational needs. They teach the children twice a weekend have promised not to let the children’s education fade away.
We have conducted an interview with Mr Simon Sewell who is one of the volunteers:
Please describe the charity work that you have done; time, place and the work.
SEWELL: When I arrived in Kurdistan in October, I heard of two groups of IDP's (Internally Displaced People) who were taking refuge in and around Soran. One group are Shabak from Mosul, the other are Assyrians from Qaraqosh; both cities were taken over by ISIS.
After going to visit both groups, I realized that neither the children nor the teenagers were getting any kind of education. As the students were arriving late to university I had some extra free time to devote to these people, who had been through a terrible ordeal. Dr Qaisand the Faculty of Arts were incredibly supportive of this so I mobilized a team of teachers to visit each group twice a week to teach English.
Some of the other teachers and I also appealed for monetary and clothing donations from England as we were having an extremely cold winter and the IDP's required clothing, supplies and washing machines.
In the case of the Assyrians, we taught them for around 3 months until they were placed in formal education in Diana. We were able to ensure the children were not without education during this gap. It was also important that the parents had a break and time without the children in the stressful, hard living conditions. I now visit the Assyrians twice a week to spend time with them as we have grown to be close friends.
With the Shabaks, we still teach them twice a week as they have not been put into education. I also go to play football with the kids and adults twice a week.
Who were involved in the work?
SEWELL:MsFaye Mooney, Dr Muli Amaye, Dr Qais Kakl, myself, and World Orphans Charity - this is a charity from America that is directed by my friend Billy Ray and they house the Shabakat his centre, 'The Refuge' in Azadi. Many others have helped from out faculty by collecting donations and if anybody wants to get involved they are also welcome.
Who or what inspired or encouraged you?
SEWELL:After visiting the IDP's and seeing how happy the children were to meet us, despite the physical and psychological ordeal that they had been through, I knew we could make a difference to their situation.
We see the situation of the refugees on the news constantly in the UK but are unable to offer real help from there. Whilst I am here in Kurdistan, I canWhat is the role of Soran University in this work?
SEWELL:Soran University has been great in collecting donations. Even when I have needed anything I could always go to Dr Qais. For instance, we needed white boards and Dr Qais donated some so we could begin teaching.
What are the objectives of the work?
SEWELL:The main objective is to allow these children to be children. To help them forget what they have been through, even if it is just for a few hours a week.
To allow the parents to have some rest and for them to know their children are having fun and are happy.
I think the teaching of English is secondary to this.
What about the results?
SEWELL:We continue to go regularly in a teaching and social capacity. I'm currently trying to help some of the men find jobs in Soran so they can help themselves out of the situation. PROFILE:
Mr Simon Sewell is the manager of the foundation year in the Faculty of Arts at Soran University. He has been teaching English for quite a few years in various countries. He was the Director of a private English school in Guatemala and also directs an English Summer school every year in England. Mr Sewellhas an MSc in International Business Management and a BA in Business Enterprise.
