Rawan’s Story
When Rawan was just six years old, her world turned upside down. Her family was forced to leave their home in Sinjar in 2014 when ISIS attacked, and like many other Yazidi families, they fled, ending up in a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Duhok, Iraq. Rawan’s dad, a farmer, did everything he could to protect them, but the camp was a harsh new reality.
The first year in the camp was especially tough. Rawan and her family were scared and unsure of what the future held. Everything they knew had been left behind. But over time, they came to terms with the fact that the camp was going to be home for a long while.
Rawan (left) with her coach, after winning first place in the 5km race.
Fast forward ten years, and now 16, Rawan is no longer the little girl who arrived at the camp. She’s grown up there, taking on a lot of responsibility for her family. She works on nearby farms with her dad to help out, balancing this with her studies at the camp’s Arabic school.
Despite everything, Rawan has always been strong. In 2024, she joined Free to Run. Even though her days were already packed with work and school, Rawan made time for the program. What started as a way to stay active quickly became something much bigger.
Through Free to Run’s Life Skills Through Sport sessions, Rawan found a space where she could focus on her mental well-being and connect with other girls who had similar experiences. Yoga became a big part of her routine—not just for fitness, but as a way to find peace and calm in the middle of her busy life. It wasn’t long before she started to really thrive in the program.
“Free to Run has taught me so much more than just running,' Rawan shared. 'It has helped me build confidence, and resilience, and find peace and strength when everything else feels tough.”
After a few months of training, Rawan became a strong runner. When Free to Run organized a 5K race, she surprised herself by winning first place! “Life in the camp made me grow up faster, but it’s also made me stronger,” she said. It was a big moment for her—proof of how far she’d come, despite everything.
Even though Rawan sometimes has to miss sessions because of family responsibilities, she always comes back with dedication and determination. Her commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed, and she recently became a Core Team member, stepping into more intensive training in preparation for a longer fall race. She says it’s been an incredible journey for her.
For Rawan, Free to Run isn’t just about running or staying fit. It’s a lifeline—an opportunity to grow, find her voice, and connect with a community that gets her.