In a modest neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, we lived together as a small family: my husband Riyad, our four children, and I, Amal. Despite the difficulties, we found joy in our simple existence. However, life often brings unexpected tragedies.
“In general, the situation remains complicated after what happened on the coast. Here, people are stressed because all hopes placed in the new government have vanished: the Druze and the Christian minorities are beginning to fear remaining in Syria. Many are seeking visas for Canada, Australia, or other countries—especially the Christians.”
Ayham Khouly, project manager of Pro Terra Sancta in Damascus, describes a divided, frightened, and unstable Syria: the government is unable to win the trust of the population or the international community. “The Brussels conference clearly revealed the lack of confidence in the Syrian government: the reduction of funds allocated to the current administration reflects the distrust of other countries following the events on the coast.”
The economic situation is also becoming “increasingly complicated”: the Central Bank of Syria has introduced a series of restrictive measures aimed at limiting the exchange of money between the country’s bank accounts. “The fees for currency exchange and withdrawals have increased exorbitantly when converting dollars or euros into Syrian pounds—starting at a minimum of 4% and reaching as high as 7 or 8%. So why not use dollars directly? We do have them available, but we cannot use them freely because the market still does not operate with that currency.”
“If we were to convert all the investments and payments for our projects here into dollars, we would have to completely reorganize our strategy with the beneficiaries: we would need to issue new vouchers in dollars and reassess people’s needs through new need assessments…” This would be a process requiring a great deal of time—“at least a month of work”—and in the meantime, those who today survive thanks to humanitarian aid would once again be left alone.
This is something we cannot and do not want to allow: the families we help need to feel safe and continuously supported, because they often carry too many stories of loss and pain to face yet another abandonment. Some traumas have then emerged suddenly, in the midst of bombs and daily fear, shattering a fragile equilibrium painstakingly built over time. This is the story of Riyad—a loving and courageous father; on one summer day his heart stopped, leaving his lifelong partner, Amal, and their four children alone to face the challenges of both the present and the future.
Riyad and Amal: The Unexpected Tragedy
“In a modest neighborhood of Damascus, we lived together as a small family: my husband Riyad, our four children—Maya, Diyala, Majed, and Yazan—and I, Amal. Despite life’s hardships, we found joy in our simple existence. Riyad worked as a laborer in a small grocery store to support the family, while I had a modest job that helped cover some of our expenses. Riyad was a loving father who worked tirelessly to secure a bright future for our children. Every day he taught them the value of hard work and perseverance.
However, life often brings unexpected tragedies. One day, as he was coming home, Riyad felt a sharp pain in his chest; his steps became unsteady and, suddenly, he collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital, but within a few hours he left us due to a sudden heart attack, leaving me alone with our four children and without any financial support.
The shock of his loss was devastating. It felt as if the ground had been torn from beneath my feet. How could I possibly raise my children on my own? My meager salary barely covered a minimal part of our expenses, while the responsibilities kept piling up day after day. I felt trapped under the weight of motherhood, work, and the overwhelming sorrow that gripped my heart.”
As Amal tells her story, she is seated on her living room sofa; a few strands escape from the bun at the nape of her neck as she speaks. When she reaches the darkest moment of her narrative, her eyes fall downward—perhaps afraid to look directly at the day that shattered her precious family forever. She speaks of Riyad while biting her fingers, as if trying to swallow the anger and pain that these memories flood into her chest.
“In the midst of this crisis, I learned about Pro Terra Sancta. Without hesitation, I reached out to them for help: their team welcomed me warmly, listening to my story with care and empathy. Without delay, they visited my home to assess all our needs and included us in their food assistance program. This support was far more than just temporary aid—it was a true lifeline. I began receiving food assistance through the program three years ago, and since then, I have never felt alone in my daily struggle. I have been able to provide my children with daily meals, which has given me a sense of security and stability.
I wouldn’t have made it without the support of Pro Terra Sancta. They continue to help and support my family; they have been a real pillar of strength, helping me to get back on my feet when I was on the verge of collapse. Thank God, my eldest daughter, Maya, now works and supports me. She has learned from me the values of perseverance and hard work, completed her studies, and started working, assisting me with the household expenses.”
