Since fleeing genocide and persecution by Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014, Iraqi Christians have been returning to their homes.
Upon returning, however, they have found their entire hometowns, including their businesses, are completely destroyed.
These religious minorities in the Nineveh Plains and Sinjar regions have received little help or investment from either the Iraqi government or the international community. Without economic revitalisation projects to create jobs, poverty, migration and unrest will continue to form barriers to peace and stability.
In 2023, Voice of the Martyrs invested in the work of local mission partners to restore and restart businesses as a means of transforming devastated towns and villages. The work assists Christian minorities resettling in their liberated cities by funding small and medium-sized businesses through grants.
These Christian minorities are given the opportunity to work and earn a living to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose and to strengthen these beleaguered communities so they can thrive in their homeland.
Some of the new businesses are a cafe, laundrette, nail salon, grocery shop, stationery and printing, and tailoring.
“After years of losses, I am grateful for this new start with new chances and opportunities. I will protect this business and make sure to develop it as much as I can. I am grateful for your support and for your trust in me. I will not disappoint you. Thank God all will be better now and my family can smile again.”
“I am grateful for this support. Without it, I would not have been able to reopen my Washing & Ironing business. Thanks to God, I am able to stay on my own feet, not depending on others anymore. I can look forward to a brighter future, hopefully being able to establish my own family. God is always with us; we just need to realise His signs and move at the right moment.“
“The last years were not easy for us. Many of us were in the middle of our studies when we had to flee. Back home, everything was destroyed and burned. I wanted to continue my studies but needed to do something to finance my studies. The only good thing about my time away from home is the experience I gained while working in nail salons; this helped me to continue with this work in the Nineveh Plains. Now I have my own business and I can think about a future in my homeland. This was all I wanted, to live in the land of my ancestors. Thanks for your trust and support!”
Our gracious God and Heavenly Father, we rejoice in the encouragement of the endurance and perseverance of our brothers and sisters who have remained or are returning to Iraq. Please fill them with your Spirit that they might continue to grow in wisdom and Christlikeness and in whatever they face help them to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. help us to support and remember them in our prayers and offerings. For Christ’s sake. Amen