doing their bit Young adults launch Shlama Foundation BY WEAM NAMOU “ If we’re going to have any future in Iraq as Suraya, we have to work together,” Noor Matti stresses every day to the board members of the new Shlama Foundation. Matti is one of five who established Shlama Foundation in August. He lives in Erbil while the others – Christopher Sesi, Ranna Abro, John David and Evette Shahara – live in the United States. “Because our friend Noor lives in Erbil, he has a better perspective of the situation for Christian Iraqis than anyone else here,” said Sesi. Matti’s family came to Michigan when he was 6. As an adult, he applied to pharmacy school and was accepted, but decided instead to return to Iraq. “I went back because I felt like I never belonged in Michigan,” he said. “I’m glad I found my place in life.” In Iraq, Matti runs a radio station called Babylon Media, 99.3 FM, which plays American music. It’s the only English-speaking station in all of the country. He visits the United States about once a year. When he returned to Iraq from his last visit in August, he was astonished at the sight of thousands of Suraya (Christians) living in the street and then in tents, in Ankawa. They had fled ISIS from Mosul and the Nineveh Plains. “It became immediately obvious to do something quickly,” said Sesi. “Other organizations by now had done as much as they could, but no one was really seeing results.” They first formed a name, Shlama, which means “peace” – which is what they ultimately wanted to give their community back home. Then they quickly established a secure system that not only shows where the money went, but created a relationship between donor and recipient. On their website, Shlama.org, a spreadsheet shows the name of the donor, the amount given, and a link to a YouTube video that portrays how and for whom the money was used, with photos of the receipts. In each video, the recipients express their situation, thank the donor by name and address how the money has touched them. “Having everything documented and through personalized videos will help us gain the community’s trust,” said Abro. There are 200,000 Christians who lost their homes this summer, and some 40,000 to 50,000 are internally displaced in Dohuk, Erbil and Ankawa. They all need some kind of help. Shlama Foundation chooses who to help by taking a needs assessment. “It’s stressful because how do you choose who to help?” said Abro. “First and foremost, our goal is to make those struggling through this dark time aware of the fact that they are not alone,” said David. “We not only provide practical necessities, such as food, clothing and medical supplies, but we also provide hope and comfort to our people. We want them to know that we have not forgotten them or their struggle.” Shlama is based and registered in Kurdistan. One hundred percent of the work is done in Iraq, but the funding is operated in the United States for fear of the Iraqi government ever shutting down, as happened when the army of Nineveh fled the region. Shlama recently collaborated with Adopt-a-Refugee and Help Iraq to move 520 people into a building developed by Fr. Najeeb. Adopt-a-Refugee funded most of it with the help of French donors. Sesi, who is pursuing a medical profession, has also become involved with CAMSA (Chaldean American Medical Student Association), which held a fundraiser in September that raised nearly $7,000 for medical care in Iraq. Abro, who is working on her MBA at Oakland University, has become involved with TEACH (Teachers Educating And Creating Hope). “We want to set a new standard, to be open minded with open arms – to show we can work together, show transparency and connect diaspora with people in Iraq,” said Abro. So what caused this group of twenty-somethings who except for Matti were all born in America, to not be apathetic or complacent about their homeland? “I wasn’t willing to hang my hat and say this is over,” said Sesi. “Our traditions and cultures are thousands of years old and that’s nothing to take lightly. Someday I’d like to visit Nineveh and see my dad’s house. If everything works out, one day I will be able to.” The message Matti wants to give to the community in America is, “better days are ahead.” “As a nation, we hit rock bottom,” he said. “So, there’s nowhere to go but up.” Learn more at Shlama.org. Let’s Khigga Despite its serious mission, Shlama also has a lighter side. The organization held a Khigga Party on October 17 at the Ultra Hookah Lounge in Shelby Township. PHOTOS BY RAMIZ TOMINA Clockwise from left: 1. Co-Founder John David 2. Martin Gorgees, Issak Issak, Robert Issak and Sinan Yousif 3. Rena Sami Youel 4. Basil Hillawi and Mary Malkonian 5. Jana and Khalil Ghazi 24 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>NOVEMBER</strong> <strong>2014</strong>
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