At the conclusion of the Irrigation Canal Cleaning Initiative, SYCAC, in partnership with the White Heart Team, organized a special gathering for the women engaged through the Cash-for-Work program. The aim was to strengthen social ties among them and to recognize their efforts in making the initiative a success.
This gathering was not just a closing event — it was a living space where the women came together to share their stories and reflect on the tangible impact they created in their villages and farmlands.
The session featured diverse activities, including:
An introduction to SYCAC’s ongoing and previous projects, alongside an overview of the White Heart Team’s vital role in implementing the initiative on the ground. Representatives from Welthungerhilfe (WHH) also shared insights about their work and active partnership.
A short video that summarized the goals of the initiative, its importance for local farmers, and its contribution to strengthening food security and improving water flow.
A presentation about the city of Afrin, highlighting its unique natural and cultural heritage. This was accompanied by a traditional musical performance and a song in both Kurdish and Arabic, followed by a lively dabke dance performed by some of the participants, celebrating local traditions and community spirit.
Tasting a traditional dish from Afrin’s kitchen and a showcase by a local artist who presented her paintings and shared how her art connects to the tangible and intangible heritage of the region.
The gathering concluded with heartfelt words of gratitude to the workers for their dedication and teamwork — a reminder that what they achieved together goes far beyond daily labor; it is a step towards building new bridges within the community and planting seeds of collaboration in a land that truly needs such living initiatives. The session ended with the full distribution of wages to the women workers.
These moments remind us all that social cohesion is not just a slogan — it is a real practice that starts with a simple idea and grows stronger with every hand that reaches out to another.
This project is funded by BMZ and implemented in partnership with Welthungerhilfe (WHH).
