Syria: Christian Hope Centre
Syria has been in a civil war for over ten years. The war has been difficult for everyone, with Christians suffering particularly heavily as a persecuted religious minority. The economic situation has been very difficult with most Syrians living in poverty. The Christian Hope Centre, supported by ACN, hopes to help Christians in Damascus set up their business to support themselves and their families.
By ACN Staff
The Christian Hope Centre in Damascus. (Credit: HOPE CENTER)
For over ten years, Syria has been rocked by civil war. This war has been tough on all Syrians, although Christians have suffered disproportionately as a persecuted religious minority. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is determined to provide the support that is needed to allow Syrian Christians to stay in their homeland.
Mons. Georges Abou Khazen, the Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Aleppo and spiritual director of the Christian Hope Centre. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
Part of this support includes the Christian Hope Centre, a Syrian organization supported by Catholic organisations, including ACN, Caritas Poland and Oeuvre d’Orient. The Christian Hope Centre opened their first ever microproject programme centre in Damascus on 22nd July. The centre is located in Damascus’ historic Christian quarter, Bab Touma.
The main goal of the centre will be to provide the fund necessary for families to either start new businesses and restart businesses that were forced to closedown due to the civil war. This will mostly be done through providing equipment and training. Mons. Georges Abou Khazen, the Bishop of the Latin Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of Aleppo, is the spiritual director of the new centre. The centre is located opposite the Melkite Catholic Cathedral, Our Lady of the Dormition.
The economic situation is Syria is worsening. Today, around 90% of the Syrian people live below the poverty line. Damascus contains one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. The new centre in Damascus lies metres from the Straight Road mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, where St. Paul had his sight healed by Ananias after his conversion on the road to Damascus.
A significant proportion of the Christian population of Damascus originally come from other parts of Syria but have fled to the Syrian capital during the current war. Life is particularly difficult for these Christian families, with many of them having to turn to the Church for food packages, rent subsidies and education fees.
Carla Audo works for the Christian Hope Centre and has expressed thanks to ACN’s benefactors for the support provided:
“We can help the families to start over, we give them a reason to stay, and a chance to build their country. I just want to thank supporters from ACN for their support and for their constant inspiration.”
The Christian Hope Centre had previously carried out similar projects in Aleppo and Homs with a success rate of 78%. It is hoped that the centre will have a similar success rate in Damascus.
Johnny Sayegh in his coffee shop. (Credit: HOPE CENTER)
One of the people that project was able to help in Aleppo was 25-year-old Johnny Sayegh. His father was kidnapped and killed by an armed group, leaving Johnny, his mother and two siblings without a stable income. Making things even worse, Johnny was left blinded in one eye and disabled after a workplace accident.
With the help and support of the Christian Hope Centre, Johnny was able to open and run a coffee shop and is now able to support himself and his family.
ACN has been providing support to Syria’s Christians over the last 10 years. In that time we have provided over €40 million in aid to help Syria’s Christians. None of this would be possible without the support of our benefactors. If you would like to help us secure a future of Syria’s Christians please consider making a donation. Please also join us in prayer for peace and stability in Syria.