Project Report
| Dec 3, 2019
Giving Tuesday!


Dear Friends,
In the United States, today is a special Tuesday, dedicated to Giving.
We ask for your help to raise $100,000 to fund FYF’s work with Yezidi women by the end of the year. Your generous contribution will go towards providing Yezidi women with skills to make them productive members of the workforce and help them to rebuild with dignity and strength.
The Free Yezidi Foundation's spaces are known as safe havens for women and children who come seeking support and kindness. To reach this point, it took a team of very strong women who are dedicated to supporting the beneficiaries through compassion and strength. One of those women is our Country Director, Hewan Omer.

Country Director Hewan and FYF graduates
Hewan was born in Sinjar, where she was raised with her 3 sisters and 5 brothers. As a little girl she always dreamed of studying English language and literature. In 2013, she enrolled in Duhok University, Department of English and Literature.
During her summer vacation of 2014, she returned to her village to visit her family. When ISIS began its genocidal campaign against Yezidis, Hewan's immediate family managed to escape from Sinjar. Unfortunately, other family members were captured by ISIS.
Despite the sorrow and pain of losing family members and friends, Hewan graduated in 2016, with her father's encouragement. She took a job as an English-language interpreter, helping to provide for her family. In June 2017, Hewan explored the possibility of a greater leadership position with a non-governmental organization. The Free Yezidi Foundation offered her a job in a leadership position. She decided to take this chance to use her language skills and commitment to her people to better support Yezidis. As she grew in ability and confidence, Hewan found her voice, building her confidence and rising to the position of Country Director. She now represents the Free Yezidi Foundation in Iraq, with support from local and international staff members.

FYF Country Director Hewan leading a meeting
Hewan has earned the respect of members of the community and is a beacon of light and hope for beneficiaries interested in seeking FYF services. Her work ethic and the care she provides Yezidi women, girls, and children is extraordinary. Along with her duties as FYF Country Director, Hewan makes an effort to spend time with beneficiaries, staff members, and men and women in the community. She is a leader at FYF and in the community, and will continue to contribute to Yezidi society.
Thank you for all the support over the last couple of years. I hope we can count on you again!
Sincerely,
- Pari Ibrahim
Executive Director
Free Yezidi Foundation