Before ISIS came to our village I was the community leader and working as a shepherd for my cows and sheep.  At 2am, we got a call to say that ISIS was on their way.

Twenty of my family members and I managed to escape. We felt so lucky; many people did not make it and I still don’t know if they are alive or dead. They stole everything and burnt our house to the ground. After that, we lived all lived in a tent for 9 months at a community center.

In this culture men don’t cry. It’s embarrassing. I wanted to so many times, but felt like I couldn’t.  Sometimes I would walk up the hill to sit where no one would find me, and I would just cry. I still don’t know know if they are dead or alive

I thought to myself, “Look at me, I used to be the leader of my village and now, I am living in a refugee camp”. That was hard for me as a man. I wanted to be the one my family could rely on.

One day I was told about the Tutapona program. At the end of the two weeks, I felt self-confident again and I could look forward to my future. One day we went to the river and they gave us all a rock, and told us that the rock represented our sadness.

They encouraged us to throw our rocks into the river and let go of what was on my heart. I threw my rock into the river that day. I believe my family and I will have a good future. We WILL go back home one day, we now have an authentic hope.

-Rasm*

Kurdistan Iraq

Because of the generosity of people like you, Rasm has found emotional healing. BUT there are thousands of people just like Rasm with stories that are yet to end with hope. Help Tutapona bring hope and healing by donating today.

*Name & images may have been changed to protect the individual & his family.