Project Description:

Salam is a 34-year-old married father of two who has faced significant challenges throughout his life. While studying at the College of Fine Arts in Qaraqosh, he lived with his parents and developed a talent for crafting small sculptures in clay and stone. Shortly after graduating in 2014, he married his wife, but their joy was short-lived. Just one month later, ISIS invaded Qaraqosh, forcing Salam, his wife and his parents to flee to Erbil. Initially, they lived in a tent in a church garden, and it was during this time that Salam’s father urged him to leave Iraq. Salam recalls, “It was a difficult moment for me when my father told me to take money, sell his car and leave with my wife to Lebanon for our mental well-being. I also applied for asylum to leave. But my love and gratitude towards my country and my region, Qaraqosh, made it hard for me. But I obeyed my father’s wish and traveled.”

For three years, Salam and his wife lived in Lebanon, which he describes as “wasted years.” He struggled to find meaningful work, earning very low wages in difficult conditions. However, when he heard the news of Qaraqosh’s liberation, he felt an overwhelming desire to return home: “When I heard the news of Qaraqosh’s liberation while I was in Lebanon, I said I want to return to Iraq; I didn’t want to wait any longer.”

Upon returning, Salam was confronted with the destruction of his home and community, a sight that deeply saddened him. Nevertheless, he resolved to start anew. “The joyful thing was that Jesus blessed me with my first child in 2018. It was a heavenly joy because I had not been blessed with a child due to medical issues. And I was blessed with a daughter in 2023, another joy for us both, even though I lost my father in 2021 due to COVID.” Despite the hardships he faced, Salam’s faith and resilience continue to guide him as he rebuilds his life and family in Qaraqosh.

Salam embarked on his journey in marble sculpting, working both at home and in a small workshop. However, he faced challenges in establishing a proper workspace and acquiring the supplies necessary to enhance the quality of his sculptures. Thanks to the grant funds from American FRRME, SWIC, and ICC, Salam was able to purchase essential equipment, including sculpting pottery tools, a hammer drill, a complete sculpting tool set, scaffolding, a grinder, a heater, liquid silicone molds, an air blower and even a motorbike for transportation. He expressed his gratitude, stating, “Honestly, your assistance came at the perfect time because I had rented a small shop and needed to develop my work, and you provided me with all the necessities. Thank you. The supplies you bought for me, including the motorcycle, will help me move quickly to get the work done.”

With his newfound resources, Salam began receiving requests for sculptures and statues. He is optimistic that his upgraded workspace will enable him to reach a broader audience and expand his client base. “Choosing to stay in my country was the right choice to develop and serve my country and my region. The field of sculpture and statue-making requires original materials that I needed, but my resources were limited. You provided me with the raw materials to sculpt and create unique statues and paintings, and I am confident the work will be great. In our world, few people care about the field of sculpture, and in my opinion, you are among those who do care. Thank you again.”

For Salam, contributing to the restoration of his community is of utmost importance. He feels empowered and hopeful that through his art, he can play a significant role in revitalizing his homeland and inspiring those around him.

The total project cost was $3,031.00