Summer 2021 Newsletter

Greetings from our team at the Shlama Foundation!

Welcome to our Summer 2021 Newsletter Edition! 

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Project Updates from the Shlama Team

 

Solar Project

We did it! Our talented and skilled engineers completed the solar project in partnership with USAID. They have effectively installed 100 home solar systems, 30 solar water pumps and 85 solar street lights in total for nine villages. Click on the link below to learn more about the solar water pump installations. 

 

 
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The Mar Mikha Center in Alqosh 

We are overjoyed to announce the completion of The Mar Mikha Center in Alqosh. Thanks to donations from the Alqoshnaya community of Florida, Shlama was able to provide 12 desks, 20 chairs, and 15 meters of book shelves to assist in completing the St. Mikha Library. The center's aim is to produce an educational and cultural space for young adults to gather.

 

 
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Batnaya Youth Center

Our first project in the town of Batnaya consisted of multiple donations to the Batnaya Youth Center. With much needed necessities such as volleyballs, nets, uniforms, a speaker, a refrigerator, lighting, and electrical work, local leaders are now able to provide a well-equipped space to host youth tournaments. 

 
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Rehabilitating Armota's Cemetery 

Armota is the southernmost Christian inhabited village in Iraq. It’s people have suffered greatly from negligence over the decades. With the help of our generous donors, our team has rehabilitated the funeral/praying room, cemented areas, established the walkway, installed an irrigation system, fixed up all electrical issues, and made places where the locals can plant tress and flowers.

 
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Shelter & Support of Shepherds

The people of the village of Chalik fled to nearby towns last month after an air bombardment campaign by the Turkish forces. Unfortunately, the shepherds cannot take their livestock to urban areas, thus they are forced to stay in the region. They are not allowed to enter their village and were in need of shelter. Shlama stepped in to provide a two-room caravan equipped with all the needed appliances. We also built a fencing area for the animals.

 

 
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Helping a Man with his Print Shop in Bartella 

We completed opening another business in Bartella.  Bassam’s family returned to their village, finding no income opportunities. That’s why we decided to move their business into a proper shop, after rehabilitating it and paying one year’s worth of rent. We also revamped his business with printers, office furniture, and lots of stock.

 
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Rehabilitating a Home for a Newlywed Couple

Evan and Lilian’s home is complete! In the beginning of the year we began to rehabilitate and expand the home left by Evan’s grandfather in order for the newlyweds to move in. The couple got married last year and have been waiting for a chance to have a place of their own.

 
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Nahla Fires 

As a result of Turkish airstrikes, the Nahla Valley endured raging fires. The people from these villages tirelessly worked to extinguish these fires, but that became extremely difficult due a lack of basic equipment. With a quick response from the Shlama community, donations have resulted in:  20 masks, 10 safety goggles, 30 reflective vests, 10 flashlights, 8 air blowers, 20 water pumps, gloves hats, and first aid to help keep the villages safe from fires. 

Fundraisers

Water Tower Fundraiser

Keystone is partnering with Shlama to address the water crisis affecting villages in Iraq. The majority of these villages rely on water pumps to supply water throughout the entire village. The installation of water towers in these villages contributes to providing clean water for drinking, hygiene, livestock, and farmland. Click the link below to donate and learn how to become a sponsor for the water tower fundraiser.

 
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Amazon Smile Donations

A friendly reminder that if you make any purchases from Amazon, you can have a percentage of your purchase donated to Shlama. You can click the button below to head to the site or simply go to "smile.amazon.com," select "Shlama Foundation" as your charity, and use Amazon as you always do. You can also use Amazon Smile on the mobile app. 

 
Amazon Smile

Volunteer Spotlight

Andrew Dakki

Andrew’s involvement with the Shlama Team began after seeing and reading about numerous projects the group worked on in Iraq. He saw pictures of all the places he only heard about from his parents and grandparents, but never had a chance to see since he was born in Michigan. After reading more about the Shlama Foundation, the connection was made and he felt compelled to be involved with his homeland. Andrew assists the group with much needed accounting / finance driven initiatives. He is a CPA and cofounder of a CPA firm in Metro-Detroit called, DA Advisory Group. 

Local News

 

Miss Iraq

Maria Farhad is Miss Iraq! On July 29th, she competed amongst 19 other Iraqi women, when she was crowned most beautiful. She is 20 years old and a  student of computer science from Baghdeda in the Nineveh Plain. 

 
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17,000 Artifacts returned to Iraq!

The cuneiform tablets and other objects had been held by the Museum of the Bible, founded by the family that owns the Hobby Lobby craft store chain, and by Cornell University.

 
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Memorial tribute honors late Assyrian leader Ashur Eskrya

Eskrya passed away on April 9 due to complications from the coronavirus. 

He traveled the world to advocate for Assyrians in Iraq. 

“He also came with solutions,” wrote former director of policy to Canada’s Foreign Minister. “He moved mountains through sheer force of will, connected easily with anyone who encountered him and gave me the privilege of learning more about ancient and contemporary Assyrian life.”

 
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Chaldean Synod 2021

The Chaldean Bishops and Patriarch met in Iraq to discuss and vote on various topics. The establishment of the Chaldean Solidarity Fund to help the needy parishes, especially in the wake of the Corona pandemic and the decline in the economic situation in the world. The bishops expressed their desire to be in solidarity with the needy dioceses and help them. As a result of this Synod, to help the needy parishes. The bishops expressed their desire to be in solidarity with the needy dioceses and help them.

 
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Olympic Win 

Yakiv Khammo, a Syriac-Assyrian-Ukranian, won bronze in the 2021 Olympics in Judo Championships Senior. Yakiv began his Judo career at the young age of 8 and went on to compete in numerous international competitions. His previous Olympic appearance in 2016 resulted in Yakiv placing ninth in his class.

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