My Story

Mryana is a bright and ambitious teen living in Northern Iraq with her parents, two sisters, and brother. Her family fled their home in 2014 to escape the violence of the Islamic State and have remained refugees ever since. Despite the many hardships, Mryana remains hopeful and focused — with dreams of becoming a pharmacist one day.

She enjoys school and excels in math, her favorite subject. Sociology is more challenging, but Mryana is determined to improve. Her favorite color is pink, and she loves dogs. When it comes to food, chicken fingers are her favorite treat. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer and staying active with her friends.

At home, Mryana helps her mother by cleaning and supporting the daily needs of their household. She’s dependable, mature, and plays an important role in caring for her family.

Life in Iraq is full of tradition, family connection, and community celebrations — but for refugee families like Mryana’s, it’s also marked by daily uncertainty. Jobs are scarce, the government is unstable, and basic needs like food and clean water aren’t always available. Christians are a small minority here, and openly living out their faith isn’t always safe.

Even in the midst of these difficulties, Mryana finds strength in her faith. She believes that God loves her and will always be with her — no matter what she faces.