Our Projects
The Assyrian Aid Society of Canada is committed to focusing its efforts to support projects that are critical to long-term viability in the Assyrian homeland. These projects are intended to provide essential components needed to sustain an existence for the Assyrian people, whose population is rapidly dwindling in their indigenous lands.
A majority of Assyrians now live in the diaspora, with Canada being among one of the countries with a large Assyrian population. Our organization strives to help the local Assyrian community in Canada by offering programs and initiatives intended to promote and preserve their ethnocultural identity.
There are other independent global Assyrian Aid Society (AAS) organizations in Iraq, Australia, United States of America, and Sweden who share similar objectives. Donations are very impactful in helping AAS organizations to deliver these common objectives. Please reference the summary of projects below for information on how your donations make an impact.
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Agriculture
The Assyrian homeland consists of a multitude of villages, inhabited by Assyrian families dependent on the cultivation of their ancestral agricultural lands to thrive and maintain their existence as a people. Many villages lack the necessary tools, equipment and resources needed to yield a successful crop. As a result, Assyrian farmers are unable to upkeep their farmlands, and cannot produce food sources or supplies for local consumption or economic growth. AAS supports agriculture initiatives as they are crucial for sustainability and preservation of indigenous lands inhabited by the Assyrian people.
Humanitarian Relief
The Assyrian homeland has been destabilized due to war, terrorism, and other forms of conflict. This instability impacts the living conditions of the Assyrian minority population in times of crises as they are left with neglected humanitarian needs. Humanitarian relief efforts are critical to heal and restore the communities in various areas inhabited by Assyrians. These relief efforts include the return and resettlement of internally displaced Assyrian and Ezidi families who fled their homes due to terrorism, and the distribution of food, hygiene and water purification kits to families in remote villages.
Economic Development
Connections to peoples, places or languages are all integral components that contribute to the protection of indigenous Assyrian identity and culture. The foundation of a healthy community is a strong economy which allows all aspects, including the safety, security, and social conditions of the community to flourish. AAS supports business development initiatives for Assyrians in their homeland to encourage the advancement of economic self-determination, enabling them to thrive and remain in their ancestral lands through independent sustainment.
Reconstruction
There are many Assyrian homes, schools, shops, and other institutions which require rehabilitation and reconstruction throughout major cities, towns, and villages. This may be due to age, environmental factors, and the quality of materials used for construction. AAS focuses on supporting the funding and logistics of these reconstruction efforts to restore the safety, structural conditions, and to improve the overall quality of life for Assyrians in their communities.
Medical Services
Access to healthcare is very limited for many Assyrian towns and villages. Many do not have the means of traveling to major cities to receive care. Costs associated with healthcare are not affordable to the majority, but especially the elderly and children, and individuals who require treatment for underlying medical issues. AAS works to deliver medical services by offering free mobile clinics with a team of clinicians who travel to remote towns and villages on a scheduled basis to offer medical examinations and free medication to patients.
Infrastructure
Assyrian villages and towns lack basic infrastructure and structural repairs necessary to support and sustain a community within their homeland. AAS focuses on efforts to improve the quality of life for inhabitants of these villages by spearheading projects such as the installation of irrigation systems and electrical networks, supplying heating oil and aiding in the purchase and maintenance of power generators.
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Cultural Preservation
The preservation of cultural heritage is critically vital to the overall well-being of indigenous identity, therefore AAS focuses on cultural preservation efforts for Assyrians in the diaspora, as well as those remaining in the homeland. The Assyrians who remain in the Iraqi homeland are a minority population. Their rights as indigenous peoples are neglected and denied by the ruling government. There are also no devised policies or measures taken by the government to protect their indigenous identity. AAS fills in this gap by supporting events that promote cultural arts, national celebrations, religious celebrations, and all forms of programs tied to cultural traditions.
Education
Language is the foundation and fundamental aspect of indigenous cultural and ethnic identity. The Syriac (Assyrian) language is listed as a ‘definitely endangered language’ by UNESCO. Assyrians have preserved their culture and identity by using their language to pass on history and traditions through generations.
The formation of educational institutions which focus on the Assyrian language is of most significance for the preservation of this endangered language. The Assyrian school system offers a full curriculum in the Assyrian language, as well as English and Arabic, and was established by AAS-Iraq following the first Gulf War. The establishment of these schools enabled thousands of Assyrian children throughout the years to learn and practice their language with a high level of proficiency.
Today there are 32 primary and secondary Assyrian schools with 2,500 registered students. AAS organizations focus on raising funds to maintain these school systems. The funding goes towards ongoing Assyrian language translation and publication of state-approved curriculum in every subject; transportation costs, maintenance and fueling of school buses; funding computer labs; and covering instructor salaries.
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Women, Youth & Children
Strengthening the role of women, youth and children is pivotal to the health and social development of family, community, and culture. With the homeland of the Assyrians being situated in the Middle East, Assyrian women are subjected to gender inequality and gender bias. There are no laws established to protect women’s rights, nor are there any that serve to establish equal representation. Being of a minority indigenous population, Assyrian youth and children are vulnerable to various socioeconomic factors which impact their human rights. By supporting programs for women, youth, and children, AAS highlights the importance of empowering these important members of society. They are a minority within a minority, yet are vital to the development of change, progress and success within the Assyrian community, and make up a large part in the effort to preserve their cultural identity.