Syria, support beyond hope

It is not an easy story to tell, that of George’s family in Syria. The man, his wife and two children lived crammed into a rented room, without furniture, without the necessities of daily life, wearing the few clothes unsuitable for the weather conditions. They were also forced to change homes often, and without any certainty for the future. Yet George’s family was grateful to the Lord for what they had, and for the support, including financial, received from the Seeds of Hope project with which AMU provides primary assistance in a situation like that of Syria today, where almost all people live below the poverty line. The two volunteers of the Seeds of Hope project in Syria – Suleiman and Fairuz – knew the conditions of George’s family well: “We could not stand by and do nothing in the face of the great difficulties of these people, so we provided them with clothes and blankets , but every time we were amazed by the strength of their faith and how they always thanked the Lord for everything they received”. This serenity was a gift for the volunteers, something that came back to them in a completely free and reciprocal way: “Their attitude gave us more strength than we gave them”. Unfortunately, however, the difficulties increased and the family suffered two important losses. The eldest son, enlisted in the army, contracted hepatitis. George was also struck by the same disease. Both died, the first seven months ago, the second three months after the boy’s death. George’s wife was unable to face so much suffering and was struck by a severe nervous breakdown for which she now needs sedatives. The second son, overwhelmed by all these events, had to abandon his studies even though he wanted to continue them. He and his mother moved to a room in the Doealaa area of Damascus: an unhealthy accommodation, without windows, with only an iron door that allows, if left open, the exchange of air. They have no furniture. They do not have a refrigerator to store food, nor a washing machine to wash clothes. Seeds of Hope continues to follow them: when the project receives clothes as a gift, these are made available to those in need, so each family chooses the most suitable clothing. George’s wife and son also receive clothing. The volunteers often visit them, check on their health, bring them help and comfort to try to lighten as much as possible the burdens that life has placed on the shoulders of this family.