The Children's Afternoon School Program in Damascus

Project title: Iraqi Refugee Children’s Afternoon School Program

Project Leadership: The director of a local Christian Church School, Damascus, Syria. The organization leads a team of 12 staff, including 8 teachers/counselors and 4 administrative staff. They also receive support from the pastors affiliated with the organization. Regular support and monitoring visits are provided by the Manara International team from Amman, Jordan. Venture International, led by Jeff Meyer, President, will provide project oversight, including regular reporting and project evaluation.

Background: Iraqi refugees have fled to Syria since the first Gulf War in 1990. Another major exodus of Iraqi’s occurred in the aftermath of the 2003 war which led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. The ensuing insecurity in Iraq has led to an estimated 2.5 million Iraqi’s fleeing to several countries in the Middle East. Today, an estimated 1.2 million Iraqi’s reside in Syria. Officially, the Iraqi’s are not allowed to work. Some refugees receive support from the UNHCR or other international agencies. The Iraqi refugees in Syria (and the region in general) find themselves stuck in poverty, with no where to go, receiving limited support from the local authorities and the international community, and largely forgotten by the outside world.

Main Goal: To provide a regular afternoon school program for at least 130 Iraqi refugee children in a safe, professional, and loving environment.

Project Objectives: 1) Support the local church in the provision of a holistic child friendly program; 2) Provide classes in Arabic, English and Geography; 3) Provide counseling for traumatized children; 4) Provide a safe place for children, along with fun outings that encourage and bring hope; 5) Provide ongoing training and support for volunteer staff that serve these special needs children; 6) Provide the children with a nutritious meal 4 days per week.

Potential Impact and Outcome: Most of the children come from non Christian backgrounds. The local Christian church has established trust with the children and their families and is very open about their faith in God. Daily chapel services encourage worship and prayer. In this complex environment a very sensitive and bold witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ occurs daily. The whole program is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate love and caring for the children.

Educational Element: Most of the children are not attending a regular school. This afternoon program is not a substitute for a regular curriculum. It is an emergency interim solution that can only provide a small part of the educational needs.

Annual Budget Summary (12 month period): The cost of this program runs about $65,000/yr. and includes staff and administrative salaries, meals for the children, transportation, training, and monitoring and operational expenditures.

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