Critical Projects Funded With Your Donations
EDUCATION
With the establishment of the No-Fly Zone following the First Gulf War and the general stabilization of conditions in north Iraq, AASA and AAS-IRAQ turned their focus to education and established the Assyrian school system. For the first time, Assyrian children were being taught in their own Assyrian language by Assyrian teachers from text books printed in Assyrian.
Today there are over 2000 Assyrian students in 26 Assyrian schools, from primary school through high school.
Specialty software on dedicated computers is used to fully translate and publish into Assyrian the most current state-approved text books in every subject. Buses fueled, maintained, and operated by AAS-IRAQ transport children from outlying villages to schools in larger towns. New computer and Internet labs are preparing the students for a brighter future.
MEDICAL
The Assyrian Aid Society of America has established and maintains pharmacies and health clinics, including mobile health clinics serving rural and remote areas, to bring much needed and free or affordable medical services to areas lacking in public health care.
The brick-and-mortar health facilities are located in Sarsing, Alqush, Tellisquf, Batnaye, and Karemles.
PUBLIC WORKS
Since 1991 the Assyrian Aid Society of America has dedicated itself to improving the lives of Assyrians in the Homeland by implementing a vast series of construction and public works projects. Among these activities are roof recastings, home reconstruction, designing and constructing electrical networks and irrigation systems, rehabilitation of public buildings such as community centers, and planting thousands of apple trees.
AASA and AAS-IRAQ have also partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to build roads and bridges as well as rehabilitate or build new electrical networks and irrigation systems.
CHILD CARE FOR WORKING FAMILIES
The Assyrian Women Union is a charitable organization supported by the Assyrian Aid Society-IRAQ. Among its other community activities, the AWU runs two day care centers providing a safe and learning atmosphere for the youngsters while their parents are at work.
CULTURE
In its Mission Statement AASA commits itself to promoting Assyrian culture and heritage.
In 2006 the AASA Mesopotamian Night cultural project was launched in the California Central Valley, showcasing traditional and contemporary Assyrian music and dance and poetry. Since then these gala evenings have moved to San Jose and have become an annual phenomenon, providing a stage for Assyrian artists while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for humanitarian projects in Iraq.
In 2014 the Mesopotamian Night project premiered in Chicago and was a rousing success, followed this year with a widely acclaimed show in Los Angeles. A new show is currently being planned for Arizona in 2021.
In addition to the Mesopotamian Night program, the Los Angeles chapter has also sponsored and hosted poetry and art shows featuring Assyrian artists.
Fundraising activities at all chapters and the annual Narsai's Taste of the Mediterranean gala in San Francisco routinely feature popular contemporary Assyrian singers such as Walter Aziz, Ashur Bet-Sargis, Linda George, and many others.
