With the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the (IRCS) has launched a proposal to rehabilitate a number of youth centres in Baghdad within the project of (Union through the power of football).

The IRCS’s volunteers have began repairing and painting the inside and exterior walls of the Al-Shula Youth Center in order to breathe new life into it following extended periods of neglect.

The project was carried out with the assistance of volunteers from the plastic arts community and a number of individuals with disabilities.

“We have participated in our voluntary work with a group of volunteers to restore and spread beauty after it was invaded by devastation, destruction, and deformity by drawing artistic paintings that reflect the bright side of life and in colors that provide comfort, hope, and optimism,” says painter Adel Abdel Hussein (one of the campaign’s participants).

Mr. Adel continued, “A number of people with special needs have participated in the activity to demonstrate their abilities and self-realization through volunteer work, and that they are capable of completing any task entrusted to them, especially given that some of them possess artistic abilities, including the ability to draw, and are capable of creating something beautiful for themselves and the community in which they live, disability will not be a reason for them to give up.”

Over 30 volunteers helped clean and restore sidewalks, clean and arrange gardens, plant seedlings, replace secondary ceilings, install lighting, repaint stadiums, replace forum panels, paint the center’s interior and exterior walls, and paint murals on them, which serve as expressive and guiding panels for the community, such as interest in agriculture, water rationalization, attention to general hygiene, and other specific instructions are accomplished through using a lovely aesthetic style.