The Sardashty Center – A Special Place
From the beginning of our work in Iraq, we have focused on providing education. We equip schools with cleaning products, educational materials, whiteboards, printers, and textbooks. We also organize day camps for children and vocational courses for adults.
Years of war have caused a massive collapse of the Iraqi education system. Schools are overcrowded and often lack even the most basic equipment. In many areas—especially those far from major cities—the education system remains severely underdeveloped. Fortunately, the situation is improving year by year, though at a different pace in different regions. This is especially evident in the mountainous areas along the Syrian-Turkish border, where much work remains to be done.
In 2021, using funds collected through the 1% tax scheme (in cooperation with the Children’s Aid Foundation in Żywiec), we built the Sardashty Center, which provides education to residents of a nearby camp for internally displaced persons. It is not a typical school, but rather a cultural center that welcomes children and youth of various age groups. The center also organizes workshops for adults, such as sewing courses, as well as English and computer lessons.
The world has forgotten about them
The Sardashty Center was built in one of the largest informal camps for internally displaced people in northern Iraq. What characterizes this informal camp? Put simply, it was never registered with the UN, which means its residents cannot rely on organized humanitarian aid. It’s worth noting that over 2,500 families live there—more than 12,000 people in total. A significant portion of the population consists of youth and children. These are families who, in August 2014, fled atrocities committed by ISIS. Many lost relatives who were either kidnapped or murdered.
The camp is located on a plateau of the Sinjar Mountain. After terrorists took control of the southern part of the region, it was the first place reached by thousands of people fleeing ISIS. Unable to go any farther, they remained on the plateau and waited for rescue—but it never came. They stayed and began to settle. It is telling that before the events of 2014, only three families had lived there.
A place for big and small
For most of the day, children living in the nearby camp help their parents with household chores. They take care of livestock or look after their younger siblings. They have very little, if any, access to entertainment. The Sardashty Center not only provides an opportunity to gain knowledge but also allows them to interact with their peers.
Both young children and teenagers take part in various activities at the center. They learn, among other things, reading and writing, the basics of English, and science subjects such as mathematics. They also attend art and music classes, along with engaging games and other developmental activities.
Let’s not forget about adults. We organized computer and language classes, and we now also run a small sewing workshop where sewing and handicraft classes are held. Women of various ages and experiences (including those that experienced ISIS captivity) participate in these classes. It is a form of occupational therapy, but also a place where these women can meet and open up about their experiences. Additionally, they have a chance to learn new skills, while things they create during these workshops—such as children’s clothes—can be taken home.
We are continuously developing the Sardashty Center. In 2022, we built a roof that protects pupils from the scorching summer sun as well as rain and snow in the winter. This allows the center to operate year-round. By the end of this year, we plan to build a deep well so that the center has its own clean water supply. Each month, we support the center with a donation of approximately 9,000 PLN. These funds are used for fuel for electricity generators, heating oil in winter, water and snacks for the children, and educational materials.
Supporting the Sardashty Center remains one of our top priorities. Seeing how much joy it brings each day, we know that our investment is worth it.
Author: Dawid Czyż