I found the concept very interesting because this project is also about giving people who are experiencing difficulties a helping hand. In addition to renovating their home so that they can be independent and provide for themselves, we also try to find them a job. The idea is to improve their lives for the long term. In Baghdad especially, we try to build small stores at the same time, so that the people who ask for our help can open a fruit and vegetable shop, for example. Other times, we buy them mopeds so they can work as couriers.

Volunteers let us know about people we can help in their own regions. They are usually families living in extreme poverty, but there are also orphans, and disabled people who can’t do the renovation works themselves.

“The project’s success is largely due to the solidarity of Iraqis”

Our materials come mostly from donations from businesses, particularly from Baghdad. Sometimes, we run donation drives, allowing us to buy mopeds or building materials. Just recently, we organised a very successful charity sale in Baghdad. We sold costume jewellery, paintings donated by artists, mugs, etc.

The project’s success is largely due to the solidarity of the Iraqi people who, in spite of economic hardship, never hesitate to help in whatever way they can.

The involvement and devotion of the volunteers is incredible. Often, they pay out of their own pocket to take long bus journeys, sometimes over 500 kilometres, to go and renovate homes. They start work as soon as they arrive, without even taking a break.

Iraq has definitely become a battlefield and there are daily attacks. An explosion can happen at any time and affect anyone. But we refuse to give in to fear and hopelessness. Life goes on, and our duty is to give hope and to believe in a better future for the country.