Stockholm (AINA) -- Nearly Three years ago a trip to Turabdin, Turkey paved the way for a new initiative for Assyrians in the world. A simple trip back to one's roots, by a group of Assyrian teenagers, became the catalyst that changed their lives. Seeing the Assyrian population go from a majority to a minority in Turabdin, Turkey, and Assyrian villages that were no more, the group decided it was time to act.

Back in Sweden the effect of the trip on the youth resulted in a determination to change the situation of Assyrians in their homelands. The group founded an aid organization called Assyrians Without Borders.

I met up with the secretary-general of Assyrians Without Boarders, Cristina Keryakos, to find out more about the organization. At first glance she conveys a confident charisma, determined and professional. We sat and had a talk about the organization.

What is the mission of Assyrians Without Borders?

Our mission is to help Assyrians living in their native countries. We want to help our people to live the best life they possibly can, without discrimination or oppression. We consider all people equal, regardless of heritage and religious belief. Assyrians have the right to stay in their home lands and have the same rights as other people living in those lands. Assyrians (also known Chaldeans and Syriacs) have the right to affect their everyday life and educate themselves in the same way as every other citizen in a country. Simply said, Assyrians have the right to stay in their homes and live accordingly to their belief and culture.

Who runs the organization?

There is no particular individual who runs Assyrians Without Borders. A board is elected during an annual meeting and the board works in order to achieve the goals of the organization.

Assyrians Without Borders is a politically and religiously independent organization. At the moment the board members consist of five women and three men. The secretary-general is a woman.

What differentiates this organization from other Assyrian organizations?

We do not distinguish between different names or denominations of our people. We do not distinguish between the countries our people live in -- everyone is the same, regardless if you live in Turkey, Iraq, or Syria. And most importantly, we do not make a difference between genders. On the contrary, we find it extremely important to promote equality between the sexes to make sure that no form of suppression is being executed what so ever.

A crucial distinction is that Assyrians Without Borders has a so called 90-account. That is an account which starts with the numbers 90. All organizations with such an account must operate under certain rules of revision. The economy is not only audited by an authorized accountant, but also by Svensk Insamlingskontroll [Swedish Control of Collections], SFI. That organization also insures the money collected goes to the purposes stated by the bylaws of Assyrians Without Borders. SFI also insures that money does not go elsewhere. One is for example not allowed to spend too much on advertising, at least 75% of all the money must go straight to charitable purposes.

As far as I know there is no other Assyrian organization in Sweden that has a 90-account. This makes Assyrians Without Borders a unique organization which can be trusted.

How do you plan to organize help for Assyrians in their native countries?

We have already established several contacts in Turkey, Iraq and Syria. We work by asking our people in the home country what they need help with, and then we try to do as much as possible. We always respect the people's will, it is important that the help we provide does not feel forced.

We have, for example, distributed food packages to refugees, purchased medicine for needy patients, awarded scholarships to university students, and sponsored school supplies for school children. We have also had a Christmas campaign which resulted in giving Christmas gifts to Assyrian children -- a much appreciated action.

We aim for long term solutions, we feel it's important to help the Assyrian people in helping themselves and in that way be more independent.

How do you raise funds?

There are many ways in which one can help. Most people choose to transfer money to our account every month, through the direct debit system. That is the by far easiest and smoothest way to contribute.

We also have various campaigns that engage the community, such as "Målhjälpen" (The Goal Help), in which one commits to donating five Swedish crowns (approximately 50 eurocents) per goal that an Assyrian football team scores during the season. We run the campaign "Hundra Hundra" (Hundred Hundred), which aims for 100 people give 100 Swedish crowns a month.

We also put much effort into promoting Assyrians Without Borders outside the community, such as Bokmässan (Book fair) and MR-dagarna (Days of Human Rights).

We will have a Christmas advertising campaign and film on the Assyrian television channel Suroyo TV.

Why did you choose the name "Assyrians" even though the question of the name is sensitive and can limit the cooperation with certain groups within our people?

The name conflict is a sensitive thing here in the Diaspora. But we chose to use the name Assyrians because it is the only term that includes other names such as Chaldeans, Syriacs, etc.

When we have worked with our people in their native countries nobody has commented on our name, it is only regarded as a problem here in the Diaspora, and mostly in Sweden. We hope that people who want to contribute to our people having a better life will look past the name and think about our people and their needs.

When our people are oppressed the oppressor does not first ask what name we prefer --- it does not matter to him. The same should be here in the Diaspora for us helping our people. It should not matter what name one prefers, what should matter is that the help is reaching to where it should.

We, as a people, are Assyrians without boarders, it's just what we are.

What is your message to our people in the Diaspora?

That we must not forget our people in their native countries. It is easy to think about the future for one self, in the Diaspora. Of course one is entitled to do so. But one must not forget what situation one was in about 40 years ago. How life was for oneself.

One should not think that one cannot do anything to change, because one can! One can always work for a better future for our people, either by getting involved actively, or by simply contributing money. Because honestly -- who does not have 10 Euros to spare for his people?

By Robel George Golo