"Every day, we saw people dying, and we didn’t have enough to eat," says Youssef.
Youssef, now 18, vividly remembers his journey from Baaj District to Mosul city. As Shahad Butrus Bulbul explains, Youssef and his family experienced multiple displacements within Iraq.
After fleeing Baaj District in 2014 due to the escalating conflict, they moved from one governorate to another, seeking safety and stability, until crossing the border into Syria in 2017. The daily struggle for necessities and the omnipresent threat of violence made their time in the camp extremely challenging. "We were scared every day," Youssef shares, his eyes reflecting the trauma of those dark times.
Life began to change when they returned to Iraq, to Al Jadaa 1 rehabilitation center and then finally resettled in Mosul city. The child protection center staff, supported by UNICEF and funded by the United States Government, approached Youssef’s family, offering much-needed assistance. "The staff from the child protection center gave us hope when we had none," Youssef says.
With their help, Youssef and his siblings resumed their disrupted education. Now, he is studying the fifth and sixth grades for one year through UNICEF’s accelerated learning programme. UNICEF and its partners also provided Youssef with training and a start-up fund to open a small grocery store, complete with a refrigerator, shelves, and foodstuff.
"This shop helped us financially and also allowed me to meet people and make friends," says Youssef. "I was a stranger and didn't know anyone here at first. I wouldn't have integrated into the community without the shop, especially since I wasn't sure if people here would accept me."
Youssef’s resilience shines through. "Just because you start from a small place doesn’t mean you have to stay small," he says with a smile. Thanks to the support he received, Youssef and his family are overcoming their challenges. "I want to keep learning and growing," he says, his eyes shining with determination. "I want to make my family proud and help others."
The support Youssef and his family have received has been instrumental in helping them rebuild their lives. With continued education and a sustainable livelihood, they are gradually overcoming the social and economic challenges they face. This comprehensive support, spearheaded by UNICEF and funded by the United States Government, has given Youssef and his family the tools they needed to forge a brighter future.
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