Dilveen's Story: Empowering Yazidi Youth Through Access to Higher Education

Dilveen is a young Yazidi who fled Sinjar during ISIS’ invasion in 2014 after witnessing the destruction of her homeland. Years later, upon returning to Sinjar, she knew she wanted to make a difference in her community by laying the foundations for long-term peacebuilding, so Yazidis can dream of a brighter future.

“After enduring many conflicts in Sinjar and Iraq, it was important for me to study a course related to peace. That’s why, when JWL opened the Peace Leader course, I applied without hesitation."

Enrolling in the Peace Leader course allowed Dilveen to develop problem solving skills, as well as understand how the issues facing Sinjar can be tackled through community-driven work and long-term redevelopment. The course helped her understand how the Yazidi community can heal from their trauma and build a more peaceful future.

Sinjar still needs investment in basic services and infrastructure, but Dilveen says the most important work that needs to be done is to stabilize the region’s security and foster peace to enable those who are still displaced to return home.

Dilveen has convinced her sister and friends to enroll in the Peace Leaders program. She knows that the most sustainable peace will come from community-driven solutions and she wants to ensure that Yazidi youth play an active role in this process.