Nobody Protects Us Except the Mountain

Qassim Kenjo tells the story of a once peaceful life, suddenly destroyed. Born in a quiet village in Shingal, Iraq, his earlier days were spent surrounded by close family and friends, playing childhood games, then working hard, and dancing with friends at weddings among wheat fields. Everything changed in Shingal in 2014 when Da'esh (ISIS) tore through village after village during its genocidal campaign. Qassim is Yazidi. Every Yazidi is a target of the extremist Da'esh ideology. He shares the struggles of rebuilding a life after losing nearly everything that was familiar. The world can be harsh and intolerant toward people with different backgrounds. But kindness exists. The caring people who show compassion toward others offer a sliver of hope for the future of humanity.

This is a window into the life of someone you may not have otherwise met, but with whom you may share similar struggles.