Solar Project

The engineers have secured office space and just finished furnishing it so they can have a steady place to work. The steel frame structures (see picture) for the solar panels arrived and are beginning to go up. The team has completed their market training. They have met with the homeowners and farmers to officially sign the solar contracts. We look forward to seeing the completed project and will keep everyone apprised of the developments. 

Renovation of a Female Operated Business in Alqosh

We recently finished renovating a female-operated business. Mona always dreamed of having her own business in order to provide for her 3 children. After borrowing money, she finally opened her clothing store next to her home. But without much inventory and no money for upgrades, the business did not do well. Shlama Foundation brought Mona's dream to life as we installed windows, doors, a secondary ceiling, flooring, signage, racks, and stocked the store with inventory. “If a woman wants to do something, she’s able to do it. We shouldn’t say women are incapable. If she’s confident in herself, she can achieve anything,” says Mona. Thank you from the homeland!

Installation of a 300-meter-long road in Levo, Dahuk, Iraq

This village was built almost 100 years ago after families fled the Ottoman Empire’s Genocide during WWI. The people of the villages have always struggled to visit their cemetery as it is in a steep valley that never had a road. This often led to families not burying their loved ones for days during the rainy and snowy seasons. With no government assistance, they looked to Shlama. We constructed a 300-meter-long road that will make driving to their cemetery possible. Thanks to our generous donors, the people of Levo will not suffer this winter season.

Garmawa Update

Stayed tuned for a big update on Garmawa. We will release all the details once everything is finalized. 

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. 

Assyrian Policy Institute

Virtual Conference November 21-22, 2020

The institute will be holding their conference virtually this year with many key figures in attendance including the Mayor of the Tel Keppe District, members of Parliament, and our own Ranna Abro. Ranna will be on the panel discussion for "Strengthening Assyrian Organizing Across the Globe." You can register for free at the link below. 

Shlama would like to spotlight some of our phenomenal volunteers who make this organization thrive for the communities we serve. Meet the intelligent, dedicated, and diligent Josephine Attisha. Josephine played an instrumental role in assisting us in being awarded the million dollar grant from USAID for the solar project. Josephine says, "I choose to volunteer for Shlama because the organization serves our people, by our people." Attisha says she was inspired by the board members contagious passion for serving the community. She sees them fight for the preservation of our people's identity and fundamental rights and is honored to be a part of this beautiful mission. Volunteers like Josephine who take time from their busy lives to contribute to this organization are what keeps us afloat. We are very thankful to her and all of our volunteers. 

Syriac books hidden by ISIS were rescued

The Nineveh Government Police Chief announced that they seized 32 archaeological books belonging to the Christian religion and 19 envelopes containing papers for the same books after arresting a terrorist in an ISIS held home. The items were stolen by ISIS from churches during the time they had control over Mosul. 

Iraqi archbishop who saved ancient manuscripts nominated for EU prize 

Archbishop Najib Mikhael Moussa of Mosul was nominated for the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, which is awarded annually “to honor exceptional individuals and organizations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.” He helped save hundreds of ancient manuscripts from being destroyed by Islamic State militants. “These manuscripts were later digitized and exhibited in France and Italy. Since 1990, he has contributed to safeguarding 8,000 more manuscripts and 35,000 documents from the Eastern church,” the statement said.