THE
P RTAL
February 2019
Page 20
Aid to the Church in Need
Helping Syrian students
to help others in need
Our eyes are opened by Josué Villaión
U p to
300 young university students in war-torn Syria are continuing their studies with support
from Catholic charity. Aid to the Church in Need’s team visiting Syria met with students at the Melkite
Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in Homs cathedral including young student Pascal Napki. He said,
“We know now that we are not alone. This gives us the motivation to complete our studies and at the same
time to help those who are most in need here in Homs.”
Another student, Khalil Al Tawil
said, “Being able to continue with
my studies was what kept my hope
alive during the war. Little by little,
the situation in Syria is beginning
to improve. Daily life and public
transport are gradually returning
to normal, although we still face
many economic problems.” He
added, “I was given a bursary for
educational materials so that I
could study French. I was also
given help with transport to the
university.”
Syrian males of 18 years can be
conscripted for open-ended periods – unless there
is only one man in the family or he is a student at
university – resulting in many young men fleeing
the country to escape the violence. Despite years of
conflict, the majority of Christian university students
in Syria have been able to continue their studies with
support from the charity.
Anaghem Tannous, who is studying civil engineering,
said, “There has been a great deal of suffering in Homs,
and many families have lost everything in the war.
Being able to continue with my studies is what has
helped me to remain hopeful and stay happy through
those years. Now I want to be able to deepen my
knowledge and help other people here in my country.”
never failed us with your support.”
With a Muslim majority at Homs University,
Christian student Ibrahim Karam said, “We are friends
with everyone, and in fact our Muslim fellow students
have a high regard for us… we don’t want to quarrel
with anyone, and they look to us with hope in the face
of so many difficulties.”
Outside the cathedral, buses transport people to
their homes in the outskirts of the city. Sandra Satmeh,
another student, told ACN’s visiting team, “These
are the same buses that take us to the university. The
Church takes charge of the expenses, and it is a big
help to our families, since we barely have enough to
eat with or to pay the rent on our homes.”
Engineering student Wissam Salloum said, “I’m in
Since the beginning of Syria’s conflict, the charity has
my fourth year. Hopefully next year I will graduate,
but I would like to continue my studies in order to given over £3.2 million (€3.6 million) helping young
avoid being sent to war. I want to remain in Syria and people’s school and university studies.
I am hoping that very soon we will have peace, peace
Aid to the Church in Need - www.acnuk.org
for everyone.” Wissam added, “Many thanks for your
contact: [email protected] or call 020 8642 8668
help. There are many of us facing difficulties, but you