Welcoming our 2024 Community Development Leaders in Iraq!

Jan 30

As we step into February, Free to Run's Iraq team has been gearing up for an eventful 2024. The spotlight is on the Community Development Leaders, a group of incredible young women who participated in Free to Run programs in 2023 and have now been selected to take on leadership and mentorship roles. More commonly referred to within the Free to Run family as ‘CDLs’, this year they will help to facilitate Free to Run sessions, putting their leadership skills into action and empowering the incoming group of runners.

The new teams of CDLs are active in Erbil and Duhok, both cities in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Over the past few weeks, these teams have been engaging in onboarding sessions to understand their new roles and to spend some quality time together!

The 2024 Duhok Community Development Leader Team

Erbil

In Erbil, the CDLs embarked on a mountainside hike at Kawlakan-Rawanduz in January. The experience wasn't just about conquering peaks; it aimed to foster unity and resilience within the team.

Against the backdrop of the stunning landscapes, the team connected with nature and each other, sharing stories of overcoming personal challenges, and of course capturing the moment with a few photos! Almaz reflected on the hike afterwards, stating, "Being together and working as one team taught me that anything is possible, and we will thrive through any obstacle."

Beyond the physical aspect, the hike was an opportunity for the team to strengthen their bonds, feel the power of their connection to nature, and draw motivation from the impact they can make in their communities.

Duhok:

In Duhok/Shariya, Free to Run programs began in 2022, primarily working with Yazidi girls and young women who have been internally displaced since the 2014 war in Iraq. The response and commitment from the young women runners since then has been nothing short of remarkable.

This year’s team of 12 CDLs spent 2023 actively participating in running, yoga, hiking, camping trips, football matches, and Life Skills Through Sport sessions. As CDLs, they are now breaking barriers in Yazidi society, serving as catalysts for change and building a legacy of girls and young women participating in sports where opportunities were extremely limited before.

The Duhok CDL team got together in January for a day of outdoor yoga and a cake to celebrate their role in the year to come.

Dilzheen shared her experience, saying, "Practicing and leading yoga outdoors, especially with my teammates, makes me feel at ease because the team creates a positive atmosphere that makes each session feel like a first."