Dear Friends of HIS Foundation,
From February to May each year marks the peak season for HIS Foundation’s short-term medical mission teams. The orthopedic team from HIS Foundation in Iraq served Yazidi refugees in Kurdistan from February 10 to 28, providing surgeries and rehabilitation treatment for numerous patients. On the other hand, HIS Foundation’s orthopedic team in the Philippines conducted surgeries for children in Tagbilaran City, Bohol Province, from March 15 to 21. The rehabilitation team from HIS Foundation will return to Kurdistan and the Philippines in May to follow up with post-surgery patients.
Currently, there are still hundreds of thousands of Yazidis living in UN refugee camps. Their hometown, Sinjar, remains in ruins and has not been rebuilt after being destroyed by Islamic militants (ISIS). Many areas are still littered with debris, lacking basic utilities like water and electricity, and are frequently affected by armed conflicts. As a result, refugees are unwilling to return home.
Many volunteer organizations have recently withdrawn from the camps or scaled back their services due to financial difficulties and other factors. Clinics in the camps also cannot afford to pay doctors’ salaries because of inadequate funding.
In response to a request from the refugee camp administration and to address local needs, HIS Foundation will take over a service center to deliver medical and educational programs. On the medical side, this encompasses maternal and child health, physical therapy, and nursing training. On the education side, it includes after-school and summer programs, English and Arabic language classes, and more.
HIS Foundation will take over this service center in the Chamiskho Camp.
Children can be seen everywhere in the refugee camp.
HIS Foundation is seeking churches that are interested in co-hosting a one-week summer children’s program for elementary school students in 2026. For churches that want to participate, please contact me at HISFound@aol.com.
Sincerely,
James Lau, M.D.
Board Chairman