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

Yazidi youth are the future of Sinjar, committing to rebuilding what ISIS destroyed and laying the foundations for sustainable peace. Eman is a young Yazidi girl who is promising to do exactly that - giving back to Sinjar by studying English and medicine.

In 2014, when ISIS invaded the Sinjar region, Eman and her bother were enslaved.

Though Eman was able to eventually flee captivity with a few other Yazidi women, the fate of Eman’s brother remains unknown. Today, Eman is a committed English student who has improved immensely since signing up for her JWL classes, which are funded and supported by Nadia’s Initiative.

"I want to get good grades in high school and study medicine," Eman says. In order to study medicine, Eman needs to improve her English language skills, which is why she signed up for JWL’s Global English Language (GEL) program.

The GEL program has had a positive impact on Eman’s life, helping her improve her English and better communicate with her colleagues. She has also been able to make new friends and learn about different cultures around the world.

Some of Eman’s friends have since joined JWL’s various programs, which are benefitting the lives of many young Yazidis. 

“I hope to see my missing brother again, have Sinjar’s security improve, and, personally, complete my studies at a good university."