From Learner to Leader in the Community
Overcoming years of displacement and limited opportunities, Mayada Youssef, a 41-year-old woman from Sinjar, has rebuilt her confidence and found her voice through learning and community engagement.
Originally from Al-Adnaniya village, Mayada and her family were displaced in 2014 due to the conflict that forced many families to flee their homes. Adjusting to life in the center of Sinjar was not easy, especially for women. “With time, we met new people and adapted,” she recalls. Yet challenges remained. “Life in Sinjar is difficult for women because job opportunities are limited,” she adds. Still, she continued working, managing her home, and seeking opportunities to grow. Although she completed only primary school, she always believed in the power of learning.
A New Start Through Training
Mayada first joined trainings after hearing about them from friends. “I love trainings because they improve my mental well-being,” she shares. Through youth-led events and Advocacy and Peacebuilding trainings, she took part in sessions that promoted peace, social cohesion, and conflict sensitivity, offering safe spaces for respectful dialogue and empathy. Her dedication and skills led her to support and facilitate some of these youth-led discussions.
From Learner to Community Leader
Her journey took a major step forward when she joined the Nexus Accelerator Fund (NAF) project, a three-year World Vision initiative under the Recovery and Resilience Pathways for Iraq partnership, supervised by World Vision Canada.
The programme works to address the root causes of vulnerability by supporting recovery, strengthening community resilience, and promoting inclusion and peaceful coexistence across Iraq. It focuses on helping families and communities rebuild their lives through integrated support linked to peacebuilding, livelihoods, education, and essential services.
Through NAF, Mayada participated in youth-led community events that engaged 214 participants, 104 men and 110 women, from Sinjar and Baaj, helping build trust and connection between different groups.
In June and July 2025, Mayada was selected to help lead structured community dialogue sessions, bringing together adults ages 30–55 from both returnee and host communities. These discussions created a safe and respectful space to challenge harmful ideas, strengthen relationships, and promote peaceful coexistence.
This initiative highlighted the meaningful role youth, and especially women like Mayada, can play in building stronger, more united communities. The activities were supported through contributions from CRS (Catholic Relief Services) under the Resilience and Recovery Pathways for Iraq partnership (RRPI).
A Vision for Women in Sinjar
Mayada dreams of greater opportunities for women in her community. She encourages women to keep learning and discovering new possibilities: “I hope small projects can be offered so women are encouraged to work and serve their communities... Every moment you spend with others can teach you something new.”
“I thank the organisation for this opportunity, which encouraged us to learn when we truly needed it,” she adds.
Mayada’s story shows how learning can spark confidence, leadership, and positive change; proof that when women are empowered, this strengthens entire communities.