In response to an Era of Conscience

Caritas Iraq
Executive Director
Nabil Nissan

Caritas Iraq is a non-profit faith-based organization. These words are not enough to introduce you to Caritas Iraq which was founded in a distressing time when an unjust embargo was imposed on Iraq for a decade leading to many catastrophes and first of all hunger. Caritas Iraq since then worked hard for the poor through its programmes to walk hand in hand with the vulnerable and the needy. Caritas Iraq’s main concentration was on the vulnerable categories of the society regardless of their religion, nationality or ethnicity. Caritas Iraq after all these consecutive wars and injustice, is facing  very hard difficult outcomes which seems sometimes impossible to be contained, simply because Caritas is one of the few standing organizations working towards achieving the goals of equality, democracy, peace and bringing hope and joy to many people who lost peace and forgot how to smile again.

Every day the staff of Caritas Iraq would work like bees for the poor, persons with special needs, the displaced, mothers, fathers and children. Caritas Iraq receives thousands of children in its centres scattered all over Iraq. These children’s eyes were downcast and heavy as if too heavy of the things and horror they had seen. It was a terrible picture of a childhood forever splintered. The children were caught between the pain of what has happened and the uncertainty of what is yet to arrive.

Many of these children were orphans, lost their fathers or mothers due to the daily basis violence and bombings taking place in Iraq. Caritas works hard to bring these children back to school, keep them healthy through the distribution of healthy food baskets, teaching them good habits and first of all teaching them to love and assist all. The volunteers programme is promoting peace building in this troubled country through holding campaigns in schools and visiting families to promote voluntary work and the culture of giving for children who faced nothing but violence and shattered dreams. In spite of this daily violence Caritas Iraq was able to bring joy and happiness to the faces of may needy people who would be overjoyed receiving the visits of our staff asking about them and reminding them that they mean a lot and have a great value in their community.

Caritas kept on being like a light house leading the vulnerable to the right path. Many young men and women were assisted through many programmes and training courses to turn into independent and well educated people able to face the difficulties of life.

In this chaotic conditions Caritas Iraq was the first distinguished organization teaching and promoting peace. The peace messengers of Caritas work here and there risking their lives in order to promote peace in the midst of this turmoil;solving conflicts between disputing parties and preparing people to live life peacefully.

When having a look at life through the door knob of Caritas Iraq, you, just like us will see a wonderful coloured world full of trees, bees, flowers and people happy enough to fill this world with smiles and laughter with their eyes full hope for a better future for Caritas Iraq is reaping the fruit of its hard work and that is preparing a big right basis for the community through promoting justice, peace and equality.