IRAQI KURDISTAN

While in the Kurdish region of Northern Iraq in 2016 and 2017, I documented post-trauma and war stories of Yazidis, Syrians, and Kurds from Mosul who arrived in the Kurdish region of Northern Iraq in 2014 due to ISIS’ occupation of their homelands. I worked for a small NGO that primarily sought to build temporary camps for these families.

Our hope for the displaced was not only that they one day return home, but that they do so having been made better during their displacement. Thus, the children attended the school we built—they did not miss out on the necessity of an education. PTSD counseling and our hospital was open to all. We worked closely with the mayor of the town to employ new arrivals. This also helped the host city to flourish rather than be crushed by the weight of added need.

My time was spent gathering stories to crowdsource or bring awareness to a Western audience, in particular. I also worked as a freelance photojournalist for various of NGO's as well as a few publications. These freelance jobs allowed me to travel and see more of the country beyond the city of Soran, where I lived.