Restoring hope in communities, by empowering refugee background children in Barika, Iraq with academic support, sports, English language classes and safe social spaces for girls. We reduce educational inequality so young people can access learning, build confidence and transform their futures.
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Beneficiaries
Barika, a refugee-majority village in Iraq, faces low employment and poor education, driving economic insecurity. Inequality in Iraq is stark:52% of the richest households finish upper secondary, compared with 13% of the poorest. Without education opportunities early marriages are often considered the only option, almost half of all illiterate women in Iraq married before they were 18. Girls lack social freedom, one beneficiary shared, ‘“Without the Centre, I would never leave my house.”
Our local team runs the Barika Centre, a physical space in the heart of the community open five days a week. We offer English classes (requested by the community), helping young people reach higher education. We run an academic programme for final year students, offering support only accessible to wealthier families. Our scholarship and mentoring scheme supports 3 young people to attend top universities. We also provide sports sessions and a safe space where girls can meet friends and socialise.