Current projects
This programme supports students of displaced and needy families at different stages of their education. They are chosen by the parish priest of Mar Geoerges church in Baghdad together with the help of three lay parishioners. They follow the progress of the students and send us a report and photos twice a year.
Each student is given financial allowance that secures essentials in order to ,attend school, such as clothing, travel expenses or photocopy cost at university level.
During the current academic year (2021/2022), ICIN is supporting 6 primary students, 19 secondary and 11 university students with a total of $ 20,000/ year
This ICIN project aims to help the internally displaced (IDPs), refugees, and the elderly of all faiths and ethnicities who are seriously ill and cannot afford medical costs or surgery. It supports the work of the Critical Medical teams in private hospitals, the cost of which is unaffordable to many.
The university is the critical anchor project with a mission and vision for keeping and building the remnant Christian communities and the rejected minorities in Iraq. After 5 years it is already now ranked no 41 out of around 250 universities in Iraq. Being strategically diverse in the CUE’s multi faith student population, it will increase social cohesion, peace, reconciliation and religious freedom, also being the central point for the minorities to study with other faiths, learning together as one nationhood of Iraq.
The students love the university as it is inclusive, has equality, empowers women ( 54% of the current students are female). They enthusiastically talk in how it inspires them with the hope of a future in Iraq they have always dreamed for. It not only gives hope to the young Christians to be able to compete for jobs through higher education , but it also gives hope to their parents who would otherwise emigrate, if their children could not get the chances the CUE gives to them.
ISIS destroyed livelihoods in 2014 and 80 per cent unemployment remains in the villages, so their parents cannot afford higher education for their children. You can help with $2500 per year for four years to help a student to complete her or his degree.
(Now operates from Erbil)
Consecrated lay women have taken upon themselves to help the poor and the marginalized families forced to abandon their homes and seek refuge in the north of Iraq. Some of them are widows with young children while others are poor inhabitants from surrounding villages.
Greatest care is given to those with the greatest needs such as families with sick and severely disabled members.
ICIN started supporting this project in early 2012 and it receives regular progress reports about the current work of the association.
The school of ‘Our Lady of Carmel was established in Amman for Iraqi Christian refugees, since the Jordanian government does not accept Iraqi children in their schools. The Latin school directorate took the decision to set up a special school for them, with the blessing of the apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem. They provided premises and its facilities and ICIN took the initiative to be one of the first supporters and major donors.
The educational program started on 25. 9. 2018 with 325 students covering grades 1-10. All students were provided with books, stationary and uniform free of Charge. They receive lessons in English, Maths, sciences, IT, Arabic, Religious Education, General Culture, Sports, Music and Art. The main subjects taught in English. The teaching is given in two semesters at the end of which they sit an exam. When they finish they are given a certificate officially recognised by the Latin Patriarchate Schools Directorship.
The school is directed by father Wisam Mansoor and run by an Iraqi principle volunteer, Sana Bekki. The teaching staff are chosen from qualified Iraqi refugees, which give them the opportunity of financial support.
The school has been going on successfully through out the last three years and during Covid 19 pandemic, teaching continued effectively online. The fourth year is going on now in the premises.
Previous projects
The hostel gives support and hope to those suffering from a disability, providing them with free accommodation, food and health care, regardless of race and religion.
The hostel first opened in 2000 receiving 4 women, by 2011 and despite reaching its capacity of 50 guests, the hostel continues to receive requests from elderly displaced and destitute men and women.
Set up in 1986 under the auspices of the local Chaldean church, this organisation grew from its initial group of 3 dedicated lay Christians in Mosul to over 27 groups spread throughout Iraq including Baghdad, Basra and Erbil. Each group is responsible for providing care and support for the mentally challenged and consists of:
- A non-residential specialist care offered to those living at home with parents but whose need of care is beyond the capability of their families.
- A residential home in Mosul set up in the year 2000 which provides care for those who have lost their parents or who are too ill to be looked after at home.
With the liberation of the Christian villages, many families have returned to their homes and villages. They are required to rebuild their shattered lives with the help of the local churches, who in turn have had to partially depend on our assistance.
- Due to their great social significance, ICIN has thus endorsed three reconstruction undertakings in the last three years as follows:
- Indoor Stadium in Bahzani at a total cost of $100,000 – proposed by the Syriac Orthodox diocese of “Deir” Mar Metti Monastery,
- A Youth Vocational Centre in Tal-Osqof at a total cost of $135,573 – proposed by the local Dioceses of the Chaldean Church,
A Recreational Ground at St. Paul’s in Qaraqosh costing $44,746 – proposed by the Syriac Catholic Church
Indoor Stadium in Bahzani, Iraq (This project was completed in April 2020)
This project was identified by Archbishop Al-Shamani (Syriac Orthodox Monastry of Mar Mattai)and his appointed project coordinator Mgr Ephram Benyamine as the most needed amongst a list of other projects for the area as it would provide leisure opportunities for the people of and around Bahzani and especially the young among them and serve as a much-needed focal point for the local community.
The work started on the 7 A-side indoor football stadium in late July 2019 and finished in early 2020. The “official” opening of the stadium has been postponed due the Covid-19 curfew situation in Iraq and is expected to open as soon as the situation improve. with the preparation and levelling of the ground. Since then the concrete foundations have been cast and the steel columns have been erected.
Youth Vocational Centre in Tal-Osqof, Iraq (This project has been completed. Click to see photos of the opening night in December 2018)
This project is overseen by Fr Salar Kajo of the Chaldean Dioceses of Alqosh, Director of the Reconstruction Office of the Nineveh Plain.
It’s primary objective is to engage the younger generation of Iraqis across secretariat, ethnic and other divides, and the achievement of national reconciliation.
The Chaldean Diocese of Alqosh has assumed responsibility in assisting the people rebuild their lives after the devastation caused by ISIS. A significant component of the reconstruction is to encourage and support the youth and unify their efforts in creating their own future, regardless of ethnicity, religion and even past traumatic experiences. The youth and young adults will be motivated to develop their personal and professional skills, ultimately to strengthen their families and communities, and eventually rebuild their country into a peaceful unified Iraq.
While families are beginning to return home, the staggering loss of education and work opportunity is a tremendous discouragement to the youth and young adults throughout the region. Their loss of hope and direction impacts the future of Iraq, hence the urgency to motivate and equip them with skills and support them in their part to rebuild the nation.
The youth centre will play a pivotal role in the reconstruction efforts in one of the geographic areas decimated by ISIS invasion, and encourage Christian families to return to their homes and villages.
The Diocese of Alqosh has donated the land for the centre to be built on. The project consists of the construction of the centre and grounds, and the development and opening of a comprehensive program to encourage, guide and train the local youth.
Youth from the various ethnicities and religions will study, play, interact and learn to live in peace with one another.
The Diocese of Alqosh guarantees that the building will always be put to good use and plans for the two-story brick building which will take up to 6 months to construct, to be equipped with all the mechanical, electrical and architectural elements necessary for a public building. The first floor will hold large gathering space for the youth to assemble, in addition to a medical/psychosocial room, group discussion room and administrative offices. The second floor will consist of workshops for professional and vocational training, including a library and media centre.
Recreational Ground at St. Paul’s Centre in Qaraqosh (This project is now finished, the formal opening is expected to take place in September 2020)
In August of 2014, Qaraqosh was the largest Christian village with a population of 60,000 when ISIS forced thousands to flee their homes, during which they tried to erase any evidence of Christianity. When Iraqi forces regained control in October of 2017, residents who could not envisage life elsewhere were slowly returning to their ruined homes.
While the Church in Qaraqosh has the mammoth responsibility for the welfare of the returning Christians, one of the foremost and fundamental concerns is to address the psychological and physical needs of the youth and young adults, deprived of everyday normality and faced with no schooling, education or work prospects.
The building and implementation of this project is overseen by the Diocese of the Syriac Catholic Church. The proposed undertaking is to turn the outdoor grounds of St Paul’s centre into a recreational space fit for the youth and young adults to spend time at, encouraging them to develop their physical and interpersonal skills within a safe, stimulating and playful environment.
The ground will provide the only sporting and recreational facility in the area, which will help support the youth in enhancing their physical education and restore their social attachments in relation to their neighbours and long-term investment to the community.
The ground will offer playground facilities for football, basketball, volleyball and other outdoor games, in addition to gatherings and festivals.
Alqosh is in the Kurdistan part of the Nineveh Plain in Northern Iraq under Chaldean Bishop Mikka Pola Maqdassi. It is about 50 kms from Mosul and a ten to fifteen minute drive to the Christian villages of Teleskof , Batnaya and Baqofa.
The private kindergarten was established in 2008 in affiliation with the Chaldean Church and Fr Salar. Alqosh has 1200 families. The children will also come from the outlying Christian villages mentioned above.
The kindergarten was established to:
- raise the educational and Christian level of the children in the community
- develop self-esteem
- learning cooperation, social and emotional learning skills
- learning problem solving skills
- create an environment where children can discover and develop their talents at an early age
160 children attended before ISIS attacked, with age range from 2-6 years. It has been occupied by IDPs seeking refuge from ISIS for the last few years. The kindergarten is not covering it staff costs and needs general support for all of its activities. Please help these very young children to have a better start in life.
ICIN supports internally-displaced University students for their travel, subsistence and accommodation cost.
After fleeing Mosul to Erbil, these students were forced to leave their families in Erbil for a chance to continue their higher education at Kirkuk University.
St Joseph’s Clinic started in a 3m x 3m room in the grounds of St. Joseph’s Cathedral. As early as August 2014 with a number of physicians and pharmacists, most of whom refugees themselves volunteered help.
With the assistance of non-governmental and church organizations the clinic has expanded and is still operating today.
ICIN continues its support for St Joseph’s Clinic, being the only centre in Erbil city that dispenses chronic medications for IDPs.
Thousands of people have been exposed to psychological trauma and continue to endure severe symptoms including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions that impact their daily lives. Most have suffered inhumane and cruel treatments, torture, rape, kidnapping, and religious prosecution. Our programs and services cover not only IDPs, but returnees, and individuals in need of psychosocial services.
This programme, which started in Amman in 2008 until 2014, aimed at helping needy students of refugee families in Jordan who often face added difficulties with their studies because of displacement.
ICIN used to support 60 students a year at different stages of schooling. Regular visits by a member of the Charity to Jordan, periodic reports from the supervisor and the outstanding dedication of Fr Khalil Jaar ensured the programme achieved its target.
Sometimes, ICIN supported the children of parents who, by law, are denied employment. The UNHCR provided them with a monthly allowance barely enough to pay their rent; what remained is often not enough for their sustenance. ICIN amongst other charities helped with food parcels and school fees.
This project is for payment of rents to accommodate 300 displaced families in Erbil who escaped Mosul and the surrounding region.
Working through a Dominican priest in Baghdad, ICIN provides financial aid towards medical expenses of various individuals who, otherwise, are unable to pay for medicines and basic health needs. Reports with names and condition of recipients are regularly sent to ICIN’s projects committee.
This project caters for urgent necessities of Iraqi refugees in Amman.