Every week, 16-year-old Sana Burhan, an Iraqi national, travels from Barika, a rural town 30 minutes outside the city, to the heart of Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to lead an Adolescent Club. Within the walls of an ordinary classroom, Sana creates a vibrant space where local Iraqi and refugee youth come together to explore topics, such as health, psychology, financial literacy, personal safety, and more, creating a space for youth to interact and grow.
As a dedicated facilitator of the Adolescent Club in Sulaymaniyah, Sana plays an important role in guiding youth on their journey toward effective communication and self-expression. With her extensive expertise in public speaking, she helps her peers to overcome their fears and develop self-esteem and confidence to articulate their thoughts.
Sana leads a public speaking session at the Adolescent Club. © UNHCR/Rasheed Hussein Rasheed
The Adolescent Club initiative is one supported by UNHCR and the Ministry of Education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and serves as a platform for youth-led extracurricular activities across the region. The activities of the club aim to build life skills, promote social cohesion, inspire youth to spend their free time learning new skills, and to encourage them to participate actively in their communities.
Sana explains that she initially got involved with the programme through a friend working at UNHCR’s partner Intersos, the NGO which support the Adolescent Clubs in Sulaymaniyah. “At that moment, I felt compelled to join and pass on the knowledge to others, so they could benefit from it just as I have in my own life.” She says that her sessions are designed to be engaging and supportive, enabling participants to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new challenges.
The club brings together young girls and boys from refugee and local communities, aged from 12 to 19 years.
“This inclusivity helps participants exchange ideas and bridge knowledge,” Sana says.
Her peers agree. “Learning with refugees helps us exchange ideas and experiences,” shares Kawthar, an Iraqi participant. Elin, a Syrian refugee, adds, “I joined to share knowledge and meet friends from other backgrounds.”
In addition to bringing different communities together, the programme also helps participants express themselves in Sorani Kurdish, promoting inclusion and belonging through the local language. Reading sessions also create a space for participants to explore diverse stories and discuss themes that connect to their lives.
Elin joins her refugee and Iraqi classmates for a book-reading session at the Club. © UNHCR/Rasheed Hussein Rasheed
“The most interesting part is reading books, where we exchange ideas and expand our knowledge. Speaking Sorani has helped me integrate into the community. I feel no difference from the people of Sulaymaniyah.” Elin says.
Over the past three years, adolescent clubs have contributed to increased access to and retention in secondary education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, with 91 per cent of adolescents enrolled in such clubs staying in school.
Funding for the Adolescent Clubs is currently provided through the PROSPECTS partnership, an initiative led and funded by the Government of the Netherlands. This collaboration aims to create lasting change in the lives of refugees and local communities. Since 2019, the Adolescent Club initiative has provided refugee and Iraqi young girls and boys across the region with essential skills, fostering personal growth and development. Initially established in Dohuk, from 2022, clubs have also been established in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.
A participant presents during the health session. ©UNHCR/Rasheed Hussein Rasheed
For Sana, the adolescent clubs provide a safe space for her to make friends and support others in her community. It is also has presented an opportunity for her to expand on her passion for empowering others. “It is rewarding to see participants grow and apply these lessons in their lives,” she concludes.
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