Hardwired

In January, Hardwired staff continued building strong partnerships in Zakho through meetings with key education leaders that have enabled us to continue working with trainers and teachers, even during school closures across the region.

We’re grateful for ToTs Abdulkareem and Hashim and support from the Director of Education, Mr. Salam Hasso Bero, and Director of the Training Department, Mr. Mahdi, who expressed their appreciation for the initiative and readiness to support its implementation.

These engagements play an essential role in ensuring programs are supported at every level. Thank you to our team, Mr. Salam Hasso Bero and Mr. Mahdi for your dedicated engagement.

Last month, our team had the chance to visit 7 Shtatori School in Peja, Kosovo to watch students perform Hardwired’s play, “Growing Together”. The school has a diverse population of students who worked together throughout the project to share a message of respect for differences of belief and the dignity of all people.

Ekrem, both the school director and a trainer with Hardwired, explained:

“The main idea of the event was to bring all communities together, promoting unity, inclusion, and mutual respect. The atmosphere showed that despite cultural or ethnic differences, people can stand together, support one another, and build a stronger community through understanding and cooperation.”

In January, Hardwired staff continued outreach in Sulaymaniyah, meeting with local education leaders to strengthen support for pluralism education.

We’re grateful for the ongoing support of the sub-Directorates of Education and leaders like Director Ms. Rosa Shaikh Raaof Esmail and Ms. Banaz Ramadan who warmly welcomed the team and expressed strong support for the program, recognizing its value for the community.

Through their leadership, TOTs have been able to support teachers in schools throughout the area even during the school closures.

Teachers in Sinjar are seeing the impact of our lessons on human dignity and human rights firsthand. As one teacher shared after participating in Hardwired’s Fruitopia simulation, “From the first moment… I felt that the fruits represent our reality. Fruitopia is similar to our reality in Sinjar.” Now, these teachers are sharing how these lessons are helping their students understand their rights and re-build trust, dignity and respect for others across their community.

Following a visit to meet with teacher-trainers participating in our program from Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, and Duhok, Mr. Yahya Reza Sayed Kul, Director of Training and Educational Development at the Office of the Minister for the KRG, commended the Hardwired for the program.

Mr. Yahya highlighted the program’s high quality and impact in promoting coexistence, respect, and equal rights for all communities. We’re grateful for the Ministry’s support to allow us to equip teachers across the KRG with practical knowledge and skills that foster human rights, dignity, and understanding among students, families, and communities throughout Kurdistan.