As a father, there are so many things in this world that distress me, but which I cannot fully relate to or completely understand. Even though I have been unemployed, I cannot relate to not being able to provide for my family. Even though I have moved my family frequently, I do not know what its feel like to be homeless. Even though I have lived with my family in two African countries, I have not feared for their lives. I receive news of disasters around the world all day, every day, and as much as I try to put myself in the shoes of disaster victims, I still cannot help but take my own blessings for granted. That pains me.
Wayne de Jong reporting from Jordan |
As a father, there are so many things in this world that distress me, but which I cannot fully relate to or completely understand. Even though I have been unemployed, I cannot relate to not being able to provide for my family. Even though I have moved my family frequently, I do not know what its feel like to be homeless. Even though I have lived with my family in two African countries, I have not feared for their lives. I receive news of disasters around the world all day, every day, and as much as I try to put myself in the shoes of disaster victims, I still cannot help but take my own blessings for granted. That pains me.
For millions of fathers, the painful realities of losing their home, job, career, security, and even their country are all too familiar. Hundreds of thousands of fathers from Syria, for example, do not know where to turn for help. They have lost everything, and have been forced to take their families to safety within Syria or to neighboring countries. Now, they have no idea when – or even if – they can return home. Many have lost hope.
These fathers need our help now. Many cannot feed their families. Some are unable to find work, while others are not allowed to work in the countries where they have taken refuge. These Syrian men are proud people. They and their spouses once had businesses, careers and aspirations. They wanted the same things for their children as we all do – peace, security, stability, education and careers – a future.
We don’t know how long Syrian fathers and their families will have to endure their present circumstances. Until they can return home, we must help them feed their families, while retaining their dignity.
This Father’s Day, please help fathers like Samir to care for their families. Please help Samir and his family to know that there is a God who loves them, and to continue to feel hope.
Samir’s family has endured much suffering due to the civil war. Prior to that, Samir had lived with his wife Bushra and their four children Shadi, Kais, Wisam and Jamil in a two-room house in the old city of Homs. Samir earned his living as a painter, and their life was happy and peaceful.
In 2011 they began to witness violence and terror on a near daily basis. In spite of the danger, Samir kept working and they endured the hard conditions. He hoped that the situation would get better, but it did not. On November 23, 2011 the family was having dinner when they heard gunshots right under their kitchen balcony. Terrified, Samir, Bushra and their sobbing children hid in the corridor for over two hours until the shooting stopped. When they returned to their kitchen they saw seven bullet holes next to the kitchen window – at the very place where they had been eating. Samir and Bushra made the decision to flee the city in search of safety.
The next morning they left their home on foot, carrying what few possessions they could, and reached a safe area where public transportation was available. Eventually they arrived in the city of Tartous, west of Homs. Samir was hoping to find a job there, as the city had not yet been affected by the crisis. Bushra sold her gold necklace and they used the proceeds to buy food and rent a small apartment in the countryside.
Unfortunately, Samir was unable to find work, and after two months they could no longer afford the rent. In desperation, fearing they would soon be without food or shelter, Samir stole some food from a nearby kiosk. He was caught by the police, and although he explained to the judge that he had stolen food to keep his children alive, he was sentenced to jail.
Samir’s family was then evicted for not paying the rent and they went to Kafersitta, a church area which was hosting displaced families from Homs. Nadim, the local coordinator for World Renew’s partner FMEEC, was distributing assistance from World Renew at that time. He was notified about the family, so he went to visit them and listen to their story.
Nadim saw that the children had few clothes and were very frail. He could see symptoms of malnutrition, so he made sure that this vulnerable family received one of the urgently needed food baskets from World Renew. Nadim also helped the family find a place to stay.
Filled with gratitude, Bushra accepted the food basket. Two months later, when the FMEEC staff did a follow-up visit to the family, Samir was out of prison after serving his sentence. The team saw a dramatic change on the faces of the mother and children. They were very happy to be reunited with their father.
They are very grateful and they thank all those who have helped save their family from hunger and from turning to theft to meet their most basic needs. The World Renew food baskets have restored this family’s hope.
This Father’s Day, please help fathers like Samir to care for their families. Please help Samir and his family to know that there is a God who loves them, and to continue to feel hope. One day, peace will return to Syria and life will resume, but meanwhile they need us – they need you – to walk in their shoes and feel their pain.
to support World Renew’s ongoing efforts in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
In His Service,
