STORIES
of refugees
Stories from "The Black Day"
In 2014, Iraqi Christians faced severe persecution and were forced to flee their homes during the invasion of Iraq by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The ISIS militant group targeted Christians, implementing a campaign of violence and oppression. Known as The Black Day, August 6, 2014, thousands of Christians chose to flee their homes and sought refuge in neighboring countries like Jordan due to its proximity and relative stability.
The Black Day was a day of misery for us and the worst day of my life.
Clara
Qaraqosh, Iraq
The Black Day took many things from me. The day was scary, painful, and sad.
Ban
Qaraqosh, Iraq
The Black Day was an ominous day. We were forced to leave our homeland because of ISIS.
Milad
Mosul, Iraq
The Black Day is a day I do not want to remember. They forced us to leave our country.
Maryam
Bertla, Iraq
The Black Day was a tragic day for me that changed my life forever.
Haneen
Qaraqosh, Iraq
Meet Clara from
Qaraqosh, Iraq
The Black Day was a day of misery for us and the worst day of my life. I will never forget the shouting, screaming, the chaos and the sounds of that day. I have been in Jordan for many years now. I miss my grandparents. I miss our streets. I miss our church. Most importantly, I miss my country.
But God opened the way, leading us to Jordan. When we first came to Jordan, our days were extremely hard and difficult, but through the Olive Tree Center, we found assistance and unconditional love. Without your support of the center we would not have a safe and welcoming place for our Christian community.
Meet Ban from
Qaraqosh, Iraq
On the sixth day of August, we were forced to leave Qaraqosh and our lives changed forever. The Black Day took many things from me. I try not to remember or think about it. The day was scary, painful, and sad. We left behind our grandparents, our land, our lives, and our futures. I hope that no one will have to experience what we have had to experience.
I miss everything there. I miss laughter. I miss our family gatherings. I miss school, my friends, and most importantly, my home.
Meet Milad from
Mosul, Iraq
For me The Black Day was an ominous day. On that day we were forced to leave our homeland because of ISIS. We lost everything – our home, cars, money and our jobs. On that day, we were separated from our families and the people that we love the most.
Until now, we are still suffering a lot and the future is unknown. We don’t know what to do or where to go. Everything is stressful. We hope one day to go back to Mosul, but sadly it’s impossible right now as life there has completely changed after ISIS.
We pray that God will open the doors for us soon and give us a brighter future full of inner peace and happiness.
Meet Maryam from
Bertla, Iraq
The Black Day is a day I do not want to re-member. It was the day when they forced us to leave our country. We were forced to leave our homes and we lived between tents and churches. We left behind our schools, our possessions, and the people we loved. I do not wish for anyone to experience this.
I was a child during this time, and I was unable to enjoy my childhood like other children. At that time, we had many burdens and responsibilities on our shoulders that a young person should never have.
However, God is always with us. And in spite of everything, he never left us and he is always with us. Although we are still suffering, and our future as refugees is still unknown, we keep our faith in God. As it’s written in the Bible: “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
Meet Haneen from
Qaraqosh, Iraq
The Black Day was a tragic day for me that changed my life forever. On that day, I was forced to leave my school, my friends and my loved ones.
Overnight, my daily routine suddenly changed. When I lived in Qaraosh, I would wake up every morning and have my breakfast. I would go to school and study and then return home to do my homework. I lived happily as any normal person. I enjoyed my daily routine until, in the blink of an eye, everything changed. In Qaraqosh, I always dreamed of finishing my education and becoming a computer engineer.
Now I don’t know what to do. Everything is uncertain for me, and my future is unknown. I hope one day that I will be able to finish my studies and see my friends again. I want to feel stability and safety so that I can finally achieve my dreams to be a computer engineer.
Stories of the
General David Greer Scholarship
Meet Adour from
Baghdad, Iraq
Meet Adour from Baghdad, Iraq
Adour is a 15-year-old student who arrived in Jordan with his family in 2016. At home, he enjoys helping his parents with daily tasks and contributing to their household. His true passion is soccer, and his dream is to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Ronaldo, and become a professional football player.
Adour shares that “With the support of the General David Greer Scholarship, my hope, faith in God, and dedication to my goals continue to propel me forward.”
Meet Nancy from
Bartilla, Iraq
Meet Nancy from Bartilla, Iraq
Nancy, a 15-year-old in 11th grade, exemplifies the spirit and determination of our scholarship recipients. Originally from Bartilla in Nineveh, she now faces the challenges of life in Amman, Jordan, with unwavering resolve.
Nancy’s passions include crafting bracelets and accessories, designing clothes and writing. She is also enthusiastic about Arts and Geography, which inspire her creativity and intellectual growth. Nancy is an active participant in Sunday school discussions, reflecting her deep faith and commitment to integrating her spiritual values with her educational and personal development.
Despite the difficulties of adapting to a new environment, Nancy remains hopeful. She shares: “The scholarship helps me attend a private school and work towards an official certificate, which is a rare opportunity for most of my friends. I’m grateful that my father no longer worries about my education and future.”
Meet Aram from
Mosul, Iraq
Meet Aram from Mosul, Iraq
Aram is a 17-year-old student who moved to Jordan with his family in 2022. He lives in the bustling refugee neighborhood of Al-Hashimi Al-Shamali in Amman with his parents and two younger sisters. Aram is passionate about soccer, enjoys table tennis and loves to swim. At school, his favorite subject is English, and he’s determined to excel academically.
Grateful for the General David Greer Scholarship, Aram shares, “This scholarship will help me achieve my dreams and continue my studies at a university. My goal is to become an engineer and support my family and community.“
Waleed – Medical Clinic
Project Description:
Waleed, a 37-year-old medical professional, ran a small clinic in Qaraqosh, Iraq. Before opening his clinic in 2014, he worked in the Emergency Department at Al-Hamdaniya General Hospital. However, that same year, ISIS invaded Qaraqosh, forcing Waleed, his pregnant wife and their two-year-old son to flee. They sought refuge in Erbil, where Waleed immediately took his wife to a maternity hospital due to her critical condition.
While at the hospital, Waleed recalls the heart-wrenching moment when his wife, lying in bed, said, “I love you. Take care of our son if you lose me.” Waleed, holding on to his faith, reassured her, “Don’t worry. God is with us,” though internally, he feared he might never see her or their child again.
Waleed stayed at the hospital for a month until his wife’s health improved. Afterward, they rented a small house in Ainkawa, sharing it with another displaced family. During this time, a local church formed an emergency team for the displaced, and Waleed was appointed to help care for the sick.
In 2018, Waleed, his wife and their two sons returned to Qaraqosh, only to find their home and his clinic in ruins. Despite the devastation, Waleed remained hopeful. He was the first paramedic to reopen a clinic, starting from scratch with very modest resources. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Waleed tirelessly treated patients in their homes, enduring long, grueling days. Yet, he remained undeterred, saying, “Serving people in need is a good and joyful thing because we are Christians and reflect God’s image on earth.”
In 2022, Waleed welcomed a baby daughter into the family. But in 2023, Qaraqosh was struck by another tragedy—a deadly wedding hall fire. Waleed was called to help the injured. He described the scene as something unimaginable: “The moment I arrived at the hall, I saw a sight that I had never seen in my entire life, not even in hospitals or horror movies. It was a sight that made a person feel helpless before himself and before God.” For months, Waleed treated fire victims in their homes for free, but his clinic needed support to continue serving the community.
With funds from American FRRME, SWIC and ICC, Waleed was able to purchase essential medical equipment for his clinic, including an electrocardiogram machine, oxygen generator, nebulizer, blood pressure monitor, medical cart and proper seating for the waiting room. Waleed expressed his gratitude: “My humble clinic lacked the equipment and medical devices to make it complete, and you provided me with what I needed to examine patients. Before, patients had to stand, but now they have proper chairs. Thank you.”
This assistance has enabled Waleed to better respond to medical emergencies and sustain his critical healthcare services, benefiting the entire community’s well-being.
The total project cost was $3,080.00
Rana – Orchard
Project Description:
Rana, a 32-year-old widow and mother of four, has faced immense hardship since 2014. Before the ISIS invasion, she and her husband Marwan owned a thriving orchard in Qaraqosh, where they grew olive trees, grapes, figs, apricots, grass and wheat. When ISIS forced them to flee to Erbil, they lived in cramped conditions with two other displaced families for three years. With young children to care for, the situation was difficult, and Marwan could only find work as a daily laborer.
Upon returning to Qaraqosh, they found their home looted and their orchard burned to the ground. Determined to rebuild, they dug a new well and replowed the land. Despite their progress, tragedy struck again in 2023 when a devastating wedding hall fire claimed Marwan’s life as Rana suffered severe burns and fractures. “The painful event is that I lost my husband and my whole life, and the garden was stolen by thieves along with the water pump because it was without an owner for a while. I also lost my brother-in-law and mother-in-law in the fire, and my in-laws kicked me out of the house, saying, ‘It’s because of you our family members died,’ because the wedding was for my brother Rivan, unfortunately.”
Rana needed assistance and stated: “Now I need your support so that I can make the orchard return to its previous state, plant it and be able to raise my orphans and meet their
needs.” With the grant from American FRRME, SWIC and ICC, she was able to purchase irrigation equipment, sprinklers and a water pump to revive her land.
Rana expressed her deep gratitude, saying, “Marwan and I had a dream of developing our agricultural business, but we lacked sprinklers and hoses. We used to ask our friends to lend us their pipes so we could water the orchard. You provided me with everything I needed. I am happy to have fulfilled my late husband’s dream, and the water pump has played a significant role in that. Marwan’s passing has deeply affected me, both psychologically and financially, and your support has lightened my burden. Honestly, you have helped make our orchard fruitful.
By restoring her orchard, Rana now has a sustainable source of income, ensuring food security for her family and allowing her to raise her children in a stable environment. This support has empowered her to continue forward with resilience and hope.
The total project cost was $3,850.00
Rami – Auto Repair Shop
Project Description:
Rami, a 43-year-old owner of an automotive electrical and cooling shop, has worked in this field since 2007. His business was thriving until 2014 when ISIS invaded Qaraqosh, shattering his hopes and dreams. On the day of the invasion, Rami was headed to his shop when the sound of shelling filled the air. In a rush, he raced home to get his wife and their one-week-old son. They embarked on a long and perilous journey to Erbil, with Rami praying for their safety every step of the way. “I prayed to Jesus and the Virgin Mary and told them to save us from this ordeal because we left with the clothes we were wearing, and my son was only one week old, and my wife’s health was unstable due to the caesarean section. A situation I wouldn’t wish on my enemies.”
After arriving in Erbil, Rami’s wife’s health took a turn for the worse, and she was hospitalized for a month. During this time, their son was also diagnosed with blood allergies, a condition caused by the hospital environment where his mother was being treated. Once she recovered, they left Erbil and moved to the Soran District, where they spent the remainder of their displacement. Despite these challenges, Rami managed to find work in a local shop. Reflecting on this difficult period, he said, “The good thing during the displacement period is that God never left me despite the difficulties that happened to me. I know that God does not abandon His children.”
When Rami and his family finally returned to Qaraqosh after three long years, they found both their home and his shop burned to the ground. Yet, Rami’s resolve was unshaken—he was determined to stay and rebuild from the ashes.
The funds provided by American FRRME, SWIC and ICC played a crucial role in helping Rami rebuild his shop and restore his livelihood. With these funds, he was able to purchase much-needed equipment, including an air conditioner for the shop, a car jack, cordless drills and bits, a grinder, an air compressor, a generator, refrigerant gas cylinders for car cooling and various hand tools.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Rami shared, “I have never received help from any organization in my life, and I was happy to know that you help people with professions, develop their shops and push them to progress in life and work hard. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your assistance. In the past, I didn’t have good supplies and I struggled with delays in completing work related to car cooling and electrical systems. The car cooling gas filling devices and the gas itself that you bought for me were something I dreamed of. I will work with all my energy and my daily income will increase, thanks to you.”
This support has not only given Rami the tools he needs to fully operate his business again but has also empowered him to be self-sufficient, enabling him to rebuild his future and regain his livelihood.
The total project cost was $3,089.97
Salam – Sculptor
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
Fanita – Confectionery Chef
Project Description:
Fanita, a determined 35-year-old, graduated from the Cooking Section of the Commercial Preparatory School in 2007. Before the ISIS invasion, she lived in Bartella, Iraq with her husband and two children, where they enjoyed a modest but fulfilling life. When her husband was forced to leave his security job and began working for daily wages, Fanita stepped up by making sweets for their community, with relatives helping to attract customers. “I love Iraq, I love Bartella, I love my family, and I love my work and I excel in it. I want to succeed. But in 2014, ISIS, the terrorist organization, came and destroyed my dreams, destroyed my beloved Bartella.”
The family’s world was shattered as they fled Bartella for Erbil. The trauma of the invasion took a toll on Fanita, leading to severe headaches and psychological distress. Her husband took a daily wage job in a construction materials store to support the family, but their struggles continued.
After three years of displacement, they returned home only to find their house nearly destroyed and everything stolen. Faced with eight months of unemployment and despair in Bartella, Fanita and her family relocated back to Erbil. Determined to support her husband and children, she decided to restart her home-based sweets-making business. Although she managed to gather some basic supplies through the kindness of friends, she knew she needed to enhance her skills and resources to thrive in the competitive confectionery industry.
The funds from American FRRME, SWIC, and ICC provided Fanita with the essential supplies she needed to elevate her sweet-making business, including a refrigerator, molds, raw materials, boxes and a dyeing machine. Fanita is immensely grateful for the support she received for her project, stating, “My capabilities were simple; I used to work, and you made my capabilities great. I will achieve more production and will support my husband in this difficult life. I have customers in Erbil and outside of Erbil, and I used to delay orders because I didn’t have enough materials. But now, I won’t delay any orders. I will strive for development, because thanks to you, I now have high-quality materials.”
This grant has not only empowered Fanita but also enabled her to contribute significantly to her household while developing her skills. She encapsulated her gratitude with the words, “The hardships and bitterness of life require us to be patient, and you helped me with life and advancing in the field of making sweets.”
Additionally, Fanita has embraced the digital age by launching her Instagram page, caramela_chocolate: كرميلا و شوكلاته (@caramela_chocolate) • Instagram photos and videos, allowing her to showcase her creations and connect with a wider audience.
The total cost of this project was $3,019.76
With funds from American FRRME, SWIC and ICC, Waleed was able to purchase essential medical equipment for his clinic, including an electrocardiogram machine, oxygen generator, nebulizer, blood pressure monitor, medical cart and proper seating for the waiting room… [READ MORE]
Rana, a 32-year-old widow and mother of four, has faced immense hardship since 2014. This support has empowered her to continue forward with resilience and hope. Rana now has a sustainable source of income… [READ MORE]
Rami is a 43-year-old owner of an automotive electrical and cooling shop. His business was thriving until 2014 when ISIS invaded Qaraqosh, shattering his hopes and dreams. This support has not only given Rami the tools he needs to fully operate his business again… [READ MORE]
Salam is a 34-year-old married father of two. 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… [READ MORE]
Before the ISIS invasion, Fanita, a determined 35-year-old, lived in Bartella, Iraq with her husband and two children. This grant has not only empowered Fanita but also enabled her to contribute significantly to her household while developing her skills… [READ MORE]
Making An Impact
Through our dedicated initiatives, we have achieved remarkable progress in supporting refugees and internally displaced persons in Jordan, as well as Christians remaining in Iraq. Since our founding in 2009, our programs have delivered essential aid, education and vocational training, empowering thousands to rebuild their lives.
American FRRME has provided critical humanitarian relief, including food, medical supplies and other vital resources to countless families in dire need. Our focus on long-term solutions fosters self-sufficiency, enabling individuals to contribute positively to their communities.
The success stories of those we serve highlight their resilience and potential, fueling our mission and inspiring hope. Your support drives this vital work forward, creating lasting change and empowering lives.