Main fundraiser photo

Send Kayla to Serve in Iraq

Donation protected
Hi everyone,
I'm Kayla DeVries from Grand Rapids, Michigan although I have been living in Costa RIca for several years now. .
An opportunity to go work alongside some of my favorite populations of people has arisen, but I need your help to make it happen.  I am going to serve at, Bajed Kandala camp for IDPs (internally displaced people) in northern Iraq for four weeks, starting the middle of October.  My main purpose at the camp will be to teach English, but I'll also be working alongside psychologists helping people work through trauma, playing soccer, attending women's groups, and living in the camp assisting in any way I can.  I will be volunteering with Joint Help for Kurdistan, who provides emergency relief, medical care, educational, social and rehabilitation services to victims of war, persecution and genocide.  The camp is in constant need of new volunteers able to come and teach, or help in any way necessary. I have a huge heart for refugee and IDP populations, and am so excited to have been invited to be a part of this team providing aid where it is truly needed most.  
Bajed Kandala Camp is located near the borders of Turkey and Syria, and is home to the Kurdish. It struggles to provide for the basic needs of all the residents, therefore is always seeking the help of volunteers and donations.  The funds raised through this account will be used for 1) cost of my airfare 2) needs of the camp, such as: medical supplies, education needs, clothing and shoes for athletics, generators, and volunteer housing. If you are willing or able to donate, and would like an email with more extensive information on the camp and organization itself, please feel free to reach out to me. Coordinators from the camp have sent me a detailed list of supplies needed, and I hope to be able to fulfill all of their needs and requests. Your support would mean so much to me, as it would help provide for the needs of residents in the camp. 
Six years ago I met my first refugee family from Iraq.  They had nothing, starting a new life in South Dakota. Yet they invited me into their home, sat me down at their table, and told me beautiful stories from their life before they were forced to leave it all behind.  Today I have the opportunity to go, be a part of, learn from, empower, teach, and impact lives that have experienced so much loss, in their own country.  I think this is a very important and vital role we must play during a time of so much loss in this region of the world. I will be so grateful for any help you are able to contribute.  Again, if you email me or leave an email address, I will be sure to send you updates and more information on my time in Kurdistan.   Your contributions will benefit the lives of residents in Bajed Kandala camp more ways than you could imagine. 
Thank you for your kindness, generosity, thoughts, and prayers, as I leave for Iraq very, very soon!
Illustration of helping hands

Give $50 to help get this fundraiser to its goal

Make a donation
Make a donation

Donations 

  • Marcia Olthoff
    • $50 
    • 5 yrs
Illustration of helping hands

Give $50 to help get this fundraiser to its goal

Make a donation
Make a donation

Organizer

Kayla DeVries
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MI

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.