After the recent trip of my colleagues Giacomo and Libero, I chose to spend Easter in Lebanon and Syria. It was a very important experience as it allowed me to bring affection and support to the still suffering people. The situation in Syria, as cardinal Zenari confirmed, is terrible. When I met him he spoke heavy words: “When I walk down the streets of Damascus I see things I have not seen not even in the darkest times of the war: long lines of people waiting to buy bread in shops selling to State-regulated price point, even longer lines of cars waiting for petrol. The last time I visited the northern part of the Fertile Crescent it was before the war, in May. For 500 km, from the Tigris to the Euphrates, laid a golden heap: it was the ripening grain. Now, how come we don’t have bread? By Iran boards I saw the oil wells. How come we are in a petrol shortage? These years of war destroyed Syria. The last data by ONU is shocking: Syria is the first country for poverty as 90% of its people live below the poverty line. 60% of people suffer of hunger. If I can recall an image for Syria is the one from the parable of the Good Samaritan that, moving from Jerusalem to Jericho was beaten up by thieves. Syria was beaten up by thieves as well and we knows who those thieves are. They destroyed Syria and let her die along the road.”.
The strong words of the Cardinal accompanied me during the visit with these women and children in the Franciscan Care Center of East Aleppo, one of our projects. It’s moving to see how focused and motivated these women are in learning English and Arab in the courses we offer. More than 70% of the women are widows and they have 7 to 12 kids on the average. They are truly grateful for what we do for them and their kids. They want to continue with their studies and they want us to teach them how to work. What jobs they would like to take? Well, they don’t have many experiences outside the domestic context so they go for embroidery, knitting and cooking in order to get a little income.
In the Franciscan Center kids are supported in their studies as well as they cannot attend school anymore. The school year has officially ended this week because of the Covid-19 pandemic but also due to the fact that there is no money to cover teachers’ feeds and fixed expenses. Those who are helping these kids are very sensible and also try to help them with their traumas linked to the war, with being exposed to dead bodies and destruction, traumas that are keeping them from properly learning. Even if the bombing has ended, there are no reconstruction plans. Many kids, entering in one of our centers for the first time and seeing the colorful classrooms or the soccer field, ask “is this what Paradise looks like?”.
The pivotal meetings with the friars leading our projects and experts were many. One of our precious collaborators is Doctor Binan, a Muslim lady. There is a strong friendship between Christians and Muslims leading our Centers. All of the Franciscan Centers of Aleppo, Hama, Latakia and Damascus were strongly supported by Pro Terra Sancta and we are so proud of the outcomes!
I’ve joined the community of Latakia in celebrating Easter, as you can see from these pictures. It was beautiful to be with them in such an important time of the year. In the Easter of Jesus, I asked to be able to see again –one day- the resurrection of this Country. They need to rise up again!
