Volunteer group in Halabja supports low-income students living in dorms

HALABJA – A volunteer group in Halabja, known as the “Umbrella Group,” has been providing support to university students who reside in dormitories and face financial challenges. Since its establishment in 2022, the group has assisted over 250 students.

The group primarily focuses on students from outside Halabja who are studying in the governorate’s university. It provides monthly financial aid to help them meet their basic needs.

Diyar Hawez Nasruddin, the group’s founder, explained to 964media that his own experiences as a student inspired the initiative. A resident of an area outside Halabja, Diyar studied at Halabja university and graduated in late 2023. Witnessing the struggles of students from similar backgrounds led him to establish the group.

“In the group’s first year, we raised 14,470,000 Iraqi dinars ($9,618), which was distributed among low-income students,” he said. In its second year, 6,500,000 dinars ($4,320) were collected, while in 2024, so far, 500,000 dinars ($332) have been gathered. The funds for this year are set to be distributed among students in the coming days.

Each beneficiary receives a monthly stipend of 50,000 dinars ($33). In the group’s first year, 170 students were supported, and in the second year, 82 students benefited from the initiative.

The group operates through a team of volunteers who assess the living conditions of the students and provide necessary support.

In addition to financial aid, Diyar noted, “We’ve also provided clothing, mobile phone credit, and meals for some students on several occasions.”

To gather resources, the team visits individuals and local business owners to explain the challenges these students face. The funds are then collected and distributed, with support form the university’s administration.