Hear from our English Course Participant Kheriya

Kheriya Khalil Ismael 21 years Kabarto Camp, Duhok (Internally Displaced Person) “If girls you don’t have any family support, please ask other people or organizations for support. Weh Center provided me with the first push to be able to walk on my own. Earlier due to my poor communication skills (grade 9) I was only able to be a volunteer but the English course helped me to secure a job with an NGO now.” In 2014 her family tried to flee Sinjar, but they were abducted by ISIS groups for 5 days, but were able to finally flee. This made the family very afraid of going anywhere, and her family stopped her and her siblings from going to school. However due to awareness in their camps and the cultural coexistence of other groups in Northern Iraq, coupled with their financial situation, the family changed their mindset and encouraged their daughters to find work. She was able to be a volunteer and worked with Save the Children organization in giving awareness sessions to the people but her poor communication skills were always a challenge in landing a full time job. She got to know of Weh Center through her friends and enrolled for the English course, which helped her to develop her communication skills. She always wanted somebody to listen to her while she talks and correct her mistakes, something she found in the Center. After this course, she was accepted for a job at an NGO and was able to get a stable income, because what was a weakness, she was able to make it strength.