Seven years is a long time to listen

It’s been seven years since the war in Syria began and people are still seeking refuge from the continued violence. The war has impacted over 13.1 million people in Syria, with more than 5 million fleeing the country as refugees. The majority of these refugees are women and children seeking safety predominantly in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. Most of these numbers aren’t new to you. You’ve seen them flashing across the tv, you’ve heard them blaring from the radio, maybe you’ve even talked about them with your friends or family. And maybe, just maybe, you’ve stopped paying attention.

Seven years is a long time to listen. It’s a long time to engage, invest, and care. That may sound harsh, and it’s not to place blame or guilt on us, but it’s the reality of the world we live in. Are you still listening? It’s not too late to start.

“Embrace the initial feelings of being overwhelmed. It’s not a bad thing. It reminds us that we can’t do it alone, that it’s a deeply complicated, emotional thing. It’s okay to embrace being overwhelmed. But we can’t stop there.”  -Eugene Cho

We are committed to remembering these refugees and coming alongside local leaders to make a positive impact in the midst of such conflict, trauma, and loss. Last summer, part of our team travelled to the Middle East to visit our partners working there. We saw firsthand the living conditions in refugee camps, listened to stories from the people there, and learned about some of the struggles we didn’t even realize existed in that context. Child labor, for example, is a huge component in many of these camps. Families are having a hard time affording basic necessities, so their children are working in the fields for up to twelve hours each day. There’s a huge need for child-friendly spaces where kids can learn, play, and experience a glimpse of life beyond the conflict.

We want to continue listening, sharing stories, and empowering children, women, and their families. Join us and double the impact of your gift through our matching grant with World Vision. Our goal is to raise $100,000, which we are matching so that a total of $200,000 goes directly to providing resources people need most.

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