SWIC .
![[Image description: photograph of a red marbled plastic wristband on a table. The words "IRAQI CHRISTIANS" can be seen on the outside of the wristband.]](https://swic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/SWICband.jpg)
I never gave a great deal of thought to the idiom “banding together.” However, as I sit at my desk and look at a trio of reddish swirled plastic wristbands,
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Category: SWIC Blog
Category: SWIC Blog
SWIC had designated $11,500 of the total $19,000 collection we had brought with us to building caravan housing for 8 Christian families living in tents in Sulaymaniyah, a city about a
Through your generous donations, we are able to provide small businesses redevelopment grants, like the one for Ashur’s copy shop. Read about Ashur’s story here, or watch the video below.
![[Image description: Ashur and two other men are walking on the sidewalk outside the store, carrying boxes of paper, pens, a laminator machine, and other office supplies. They are all smiling.]](https://swic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ashur_10.png)
Watch the video of Ashur’s story here. One of the most satisfying things Quint and I were able to do in Erbil was to help Ashur begin his own copy
![[Image description: another photograph of a tent. There is a man sitting under a tarp, outside his tent. There is a cross, made of two pieces of wood tied together, tied to one of the poles holding op the tarp.]](https://swic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/15th_Picture.png)
Before our arrival in Erbil, Stand With Iraqi Christians had designated $11,500 of the total $19,000 collection we had brought with us to building caravan housing for 8 Christian families
![[Image description: Ashur and Father Chris stand next to the bed of the truck, looking at the camera and posing for the photo. They have their arm around the other's shoulders.]](https://swic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ashur_14.png)
My dear friends, I am writing on my last night in Erbil. I am hoping you have been able to get a glimpse of the exciting and important nature of
![[Image description: a group of boys dressed in white martial arts gis pose for a camera off to the right. The boy in the front is doing the center splits, the other boys are doing fight stances with their arms.]](https://swic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ashti_14.png)
One day our friend from Etuti Institute, Ninos Haddad (standing left), took Quint and me to see a group of boys, about ages 6-14, who were training in martial arts
On the way home we stopped here at our partner Hanna's suggestion. This is the Shrine of Marbina Qadisha, not far (3 KM) from the city of Koya. A perfect
![[Image description: several smiling children stand with their arms outstretched in front of them, waving at someone off camera.]](https://swic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/14681774_371903189807714_187677349961276128_n.jpg)
Yesterday was a day of unrelieved fun and joy. First we spent the morning with the most adorable and loving children imaginable at the Ashti IDP camp (Internationally Displaced Persons).
![[Image description: Father Chris sitting in a room behind his video camera. Three children are next to him, intently fixated on the video camera and Father Chris's explanations.]](https://swic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/14650180_371905399807493_4514957782988434687_n.jpg)
Click on the thumbnails to see the full images (and captions)! [aesop_gallery id=”2209″ revealfx=”off”]