A Sense of Normalcy for At-Risk Youth in Syria
Amid the turmoil and danger that plague Syria, our missionaries are providing programs and activities that offer children a sense of normalcy. For 2,200 young people struggling to cope with the chaos that surrounds them, these moments of joy make a world of difference.
In Damascas, Aleppo and Kafroun, children gather at Salesian centers where they can participate in activities that bring rest and relief to their stressed bodies and minds. This allows them – for a brief time – to forget the poverty and uncertainty which surrounds them.
The kids who attend the Salesian programs are desperate. Many have been forced to flee their homes with their families due to the ongoing war in the region. Others are barely surviving in conditions that are inhumane — with no money, no food, no medicine, and no heating fuel.
Children often don’t understand the circumstances that create these unimaginable situations. They don’t understand why they suddenly have nothing to eat, or why they are freezing instead of warm. The sounds of battle that encompass them are a harsh change from the chirping of birds or laughing of friends that were once familiar.
“Our centers are places of solice for children and young people,” explains Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “We offer them stability and hope for a brighter future, in spite of the uncertainty that surrounds them, because every young person deserves to grow up in a peaceful and secure environment.”
That is why our Salesian missionaries remain committed to providing young people with consistent, safe activities and programs that build confidence and bring hope to a world full of uncertainty.
Learn more about our work in Syria.
Our mission is to bring hope and normalcy to children trying to cope with their shattered lives in war-torn regions. What’s your mission?
