The physiotherapy centre run by Fawaz, a 25-year-old Syrian refugee in Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, is abuzz with patients waiting to be ushered in for their treatments. Working eight hours a day, six days a week, Fawaz and his Iraqi colleagues offer electrotherapy, acupuncture, dry-needling and other physiological services to help refugees and Iraqis alleviate their physical pain.
For five years since his graduation from university in Iraq, Fawaz has been using his skills to improve the wellbeing of his patients. But for him personally, this has been more than a job; it has been an opportunity to build a new life and become an active part of the community.
Fawaz fled Syria with his family in 2013, just before his 13th birthday, arriving in Darashakran refugee camp located in Erbil. He completed his primary and secondary education in a camp-based school and was accepted at the prestigious Erbil Polytechnic University. The family’s meagre income helped Fawaz initially pay for his education, but the rising cost of living increased the strain on the family and caused significant stress to Fawaz.
Thankfully, during the third year at university, Fawaz was awarded a scholarship through the DAFI Tertiary Scholarship Programme, implemented by UNHCR, which provides financial support to refugee students to attend university and help them meet their additional educational needs such as buying books or covering transportation costs. This support eased the pressure on Fawaz and allowed him to focus on his studies with even greater determination.
Fawaz carefully performing electrical dry needling on his patient. © UNHCR/Rasheed Hussein Rasheed
During his studies, Fawaz gained professional experience by practicing physiotherapy as a volunteer at a local centre in Erbil. Upon graduation, Fawaz and a group of his local Iraqi classmates opened their own physiotherapy centre. “Patients seek specialists who can help them regain a normal life, and this is what they find here,” he says.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see someone go from being bound to a wheelchair to starting to walk again after receiving treatment.” Fawaz says.
Fawaz’s physiotherapy centre quickly built a reputation for excellence across Iraq. Dhiaa, an Iraqi national, travelled over 300 kilometers from Baghdad specifically to be treated by Fawaz and vouches for the quality of treatment he has received in the centre.
“A friend recommended Fawaz as a great physiotherapist. He is not just my doctor now. We have become good friends. I am impressed by his skills at such a young age,” Dhiaa says, as faint electric pulses pass through carefully placed needles along his arm and leg, helping him breathe in relief after years of pain.
“The majority of my patients do not care that I am a refugee. What matters is that we are all here, helping each other,” Fawaz says.
Establishing the centre was a turning point for Fawaz and he now is the primary breadwinner supporting his family. However, for Fawaz, the goal is not just earning a living, but also helping others rebuild their lives. “This centre helps us make a living, but what matters most is working with a conscience and helping people heal and regain their independence. We cannot add days to a patient’s life, but we can add life to their days.” Fawaz says
“I am proud to help people and make a difference in this community,” he concludes.
UNHCR has implemented the DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholarship programme in Iraq since 2016, helping 488 refugee students, including 280 women, across 21 universities complete their tertiary studies. Ultimately the scholarship programme aims to empower refugee youth to contribute meaningfully to communities while building a brighter future for themselves and others.
The DAFI programme in Iraq and around the world is supported by Germany, with additional support from Denmark and private partners and foundations.
Lilly Carlisle contributed reporting to this story.
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