Iraq: “Our expectations were exceeded” – Emergency Pedagogy in Sinjar

The Warvin Organisation for Child Rights is a local non-governmental organisation operating in the Iraqi city of Sinjar. It is supported by the Emergency Pedagogy Department of the Friends of Waldorf Education. Warvin was founded in 2024 by project director Sadoon Barakat, a Yazidi who had been forced to flee Sinjar for Iraqi Kurdistan ten years earlier, where he became acquainted with emergency pedagogical work. Upon returning to Sinjar, he used the skills and knowledge he had acquired over the course of his many years of collaboration to set up a child-friendly space (CFS). The organisation provides psychosocial support for children who have experienced trauma as a result of crises and conflicts. Take Leo and Naela, for example, whose parents report on the positive developments the children have made during this time:

Before participating in Warvin’s emergency pedagogical activities, Leo had severe difficulty concentrating, and problems with speech and communication. Both his family and other children had trouble understanding him. Within the first few weeks of the six-month programme, his parents noticed positive changes. “He became more outgoing and engaged, and he was able to concentrate much better,” reports his father, Azad Qasim Eto. “His ability to express himself and communicate with others also continued to develop,” reports his father, Azad Qasim Eto. Leo began to recognise the names of colours and numbers in both Arabic and English so well that his family even learned from him. He also became more independent when it came to eating. When meeting others, he would confidently talk about what he had learnt through the Warvin programme.

The parents of Naela, a child with Down syndrome, also describe similarly positive experiences. Before participating in the activities, Naela faced significant daily challenges. For instance, she struggled to speak and express her needs. It was difficult for her family to understand her or communicate with her. However, within six months, Naela had made great progress thanks to emergency pedagogy. In particular, her ability to express herself and organise her daily routine improved significantly. “Communicating with our daughter has become much easier. The progress she has made over the past few months has exceeded our expectations. We are very grateful for the dedication and tireless efforts of the staff at the Warvin Organisation for Child Rights,” says her mother, Layla Gharib.

Warvin Organisation for Child Rights has established itself as a safe and supportive haven in the Sinjar region, providing invaluable support to children and their families. “We are truly grateful for this initiative, which has significantly improved the lives of our children. We hope that such projects will continue, as they have a hugely positive impact on our community,” says Azad Qasim Eto.

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