In Memory of Giwar Hajabi

*A message from Paruar Bako, Founder of Our Bridge*

There was nothing I could have foreseen less.

You didn't know who I was - only that the desert I came from had been drowned in blood. In your greatest hour, you lent us your voice and broadcast our cry for help into the world. You gave us hope.

When I had once more returned from one of Kurdistan's regions most affected by crises, you asked me what we could do to help. I thought for a moment and said, 'Orphans need to be in an orphanage'. And then you asked me why we didn't just do that. I made a gesture with my hand and said, 'How will we accomplish that without money'? You suggested the concert and said: 'Let´s make the video right now and post it so there will be no turning back'. You checkmated yourself in order to do the necessary. There wasn't much talking, no complicated hurdles, never any 'No´s'. We jumped in at the deep end, you pushed and motivated me to attempt something that defied so many predictions.

While the monsters of this world hunted the defenseless, you did not look away. You helped. And when you got your hands dirty, so many more hands joined in. Under your influence´s wing, we went on the offensive. After a long, steep journey and with a lot of effort we finally managed to build the orphanage. Through a help contingent, the residents were able to go to safe Western states. So that we could help even more orphans and those who had previously been in ISIS captivity, we turned the orphanage into the biggest orphanage school in Iraq, with over 400 children attending. The university of Tübingen later wrote a research paper about it; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised it as one of the best projects worldwide.

In such a fake world full of liars and hypocrites, you were the light at the end of the tunnel that will never extinguish. What a rare moment, when the hands of such an influential person reached down to lift up smaller people. You lifted me up, you made 'Our Bridge' as well as 'Greenedbridge' possible. You encouraged me to be courageous, to dream even bigger. And now, you are gone - without ever expecting anything at all. The 'gangster' I was warned about by all the typical suits was the person who listened, who extended his arms to the poor in the end. We are perfect because we are not perfect - And you are the proof that we can always improve ourselves. Without you, there would be no beautiful days in this oasis.

How am I ever supposed to thank you, Giwar? Unknowing how one is supposed to thank a man, who on the darkest day offered you a hand, I give you my word to carry on with this mission, until we have created a world in which every child has the chance of making their dreams come true. With certainty that you look out for us, we humbly continue on this path. With candid respect for a person that I owe the funding of the biggest orphanage school in Iraq to.

In eternal gratitude Paruar and the team