In the summer of 2006, a group of Assyrians went to Turabdin in Southeastern Turkey on a trip in which they intended to reconnect with their roots and origins. However, the journey showed them a more upsetting reality than they had expected.
To witness the tragedy and misery that was, and still is, the everyday life of the Assyrians in their countries of origin – with economic, social and physical oppression in the form of threats and violence – left a lasting impression, and gave rise to what was to become Assyrians Without Borders.
We have a 90-Account
Assyrians Without Borders has been granted a 90-Account by SIK, the Swedish Fundraising Control agency. A 90-Account is a guarantee for you as a donor that funds are always spent in a regulated manner for the purpose they are intended for.
Our values
Our core values are based on the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The foundation of our values is based on the conviction that all people have equal rights, as well as highlighting children and their special rights, and that everyone has a responsibility to ensure these are met.
Our goals
Assyrians (also called Syriacs and Chaldeans) are currently a vulnerable ethnic group in the Middle East that is subjected to daily abuse, violence, armed conflict and discrimination. Our work is to help Assyrians in their countries of origin (Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon and Iran) live a safer and more favorable existence.
Responsibility and transparency
Transparency about our organization’s finances and operations is crucial to us. All aid efforts are subject to stringent quality control and if applicable, are documented directly on site, as it is of utter importance to us to maintain a strong internal control.
Read our Bylaws.
Bylaws (pdf)Formation of the board
The board is responsible for any decision making in regards to matters relating to Assyrians Without Borders’ activities, including project management and coordination, cooperation with other organizations and companies, scholarship distribution, fundraising and other matters.
The board is formed by the Nomination Committee, which is responsible for selecting potential candidates when it is time to elect a new board. Decisions are made at the annual meeting and the term of office is 2 years. Selection criteria when choosing a board are experience, competence, a desire to improve the organization and, above all, a desire to improve the lives of Assyrians in their countries of origin. The board convenes at least four times per year.
Assyrians Without Borders’ current board was elected at the annual meeting in June 2021. The next term of office starts in the Spring of 2023.
Ferit Rhawi
President / Marketing
ferit.rhawi@awbswe.com
Ferit Rhawi started volunteering for Assyrians Without Borders in 2015 in the marketing group. In the same year, he traveled to Iraq with other representatives from Assyrians Without Borders and got a close look at how children, women and the elderly lived in difficult conditions in the refugee camps. Ferit was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2017 and is currently serving as President.
Ferit holds a teaching degree with an intercultural profile from Södertörn University and has also studied religious studies at Uppsala University. After completing his education, Ferit started working as a student and teacher assistant at IT-Gymansiet in Flemingsberg, and later as a teacher at Elafskolan and Lilla Parkskolan i Södertälje.
ninos bethzazi
Vice President
ninos.bethzazi@awbswe.com
Ninos BethZazi began his involvement in the Assyrians Without Borders’ Scholarship Committee in 2016. In 2021, he was elected as Vice President.
He holds a M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. He is currently working within business development at a Nordic transportation company.
temra baydono
Secretary
temra.baydono@awbswe.com
Temra Baydono started volunteering for Assyrians Without Borders in 2019 and was elected to the Board as a secretary in 2021.
She is studying at the Law Programme at Stockholm University and will be graduating in the fall of 2022.
Sandra Youssef
Treasurer
sandra.youssef@awbswe.com
Sandra Youssef was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2019. She has been active in Assyrians Without Borders since 2018, when she served as a support for the financial division of Assyrians Without Borders.
Sandra holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration since 2016 and began her career as a financial assistant at Munters Europe AB. She currently works as a Group Controller.
jenifer yousef
Board Member
jenifer.yousef@awbswe.com
Jenifer Yousef started volunteering with Assyrians Without Borders in 2017 and in 2019 was elected to the Board as an alternate. She has previous experience in volunteering from India, South Africa, Greece and Uganda.
Jenifer graduated as a pharmacist from the University of Gothenburg and currently works at the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca in Södertälje.
maikel makdisi-somi
Board Alternate
maikel.makdisi-somi@awbswe.com
Maikel was elected to the Board as an alternate in 2021.
He holds a M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and Management from the Royal Institute of Technology and a B.Sc. in Business and Economics from Stockholm School of Economics. He is currently working as a business analyst.
jakob rhawi
Board Alternate
jakob.rhawi@awbswe.com
To be updated
Other coworkers
Collection:
Ferit Rhawi, ferit.rhawi@awbswe.com
IT Support:
Luke Örun, luke.orun@awbswe.com
Projects:
Romiana Bikasha, romiana.bikasha@awbswe.com (Iraq)
Zalgai Aho, zalgai.aho@awbswe.com (Syria/Lebanon)
Ferit Rhawi, ferit.rhawi@awbswe.com (Turkey)
Marketing and Communication:
Ferit Rhawi, ferit.rhawi@awbswe.com
Scholarships:
Ninos Bethzazi, scholarship@awbswe.com
Advisory Commitee
Gabriel Baryawno, gabriel.baryawno@awbswe.com
Lenard Yako, lenard.yako@awbswe.com
Romiana Bikasha, romiana.bikasha@awbswe.com
Nomination Committee
Ninos Oussi
Nimrod Badur
Nohadra Heido