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"Small Steps" Campaign and Events

With “small steps” and eyes gleaming with hope, the children filled the ceremonial halls in the governorates of Damascus, Sweida, Aleppo, Hama, Tartous, Homs and Hasakeh, where the Syrian Society for Social Development (SSSD) is carrying out its activities. And with joyful voices, they sang the slogan of the Rights of the Child Campaign, which was carried out throughout November:
My rights are many,
but with one small step
I own myself…
and them in the process!
The campaign included a variety of activities targeting children, adolescents and caregivers. It aimed at raising awareness about the rights of the child and the importance of all children’s access to them, and was concluded with a number of events to celebrate World Children’s Day.
During the events, the children presented artistic performances that emphasized the rights of the child, provided for in the 1989 UN Convention, and highlighted the causes of children’s exposure to risks, such as child labor, school dropout and even delinquency. These causes include not only depriving the child of care in general and family care in particular, but also neglecting and marginalizing children during childhood and other growth stages, which negatively affects them, and then the community as a whole.
The children’s interaction with the events’ activities and artistic performances was truly remarkable. Making use of their various talents, they were able to convey the message to their peers, as well as to their parents, teachers and other groups that attended. The Small Steps Campaign and Events constituted a strong step towards achieving a safe and healthy childhood and a new space for children—provided by SSSD in cooperation with the UNHCR.

 

A gallery for Women

In order to encourage women to work, develop their abilities and invest their skills, Maskaneh satellite center, in cooperation between the Syrian Society for Social Development and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees held a gallery, which included the supply and sale of women-made products such as (food provisions, handicrafts- women and children sewing cloths - Drawings on cartoon - Drawing on canvas - Spices & vegetable oils).
The gallery was attended by 68 of the beneficiaries of the hear my heart program and women from the community The joy was the dominant feeling among the ladies, who expressed their desire to have this gallery again because they were so happy to be productive women. these are some of their sayings:
"I sold all my products, I was feeling depressed before, but now I am happy because I am helping my husband moneywise, how good it is to work and see the productive of your job."
"I feel I'm in a museum of all kinds, and it's all beautiful "
"I did not have money for my home, I'm so happy because all the things I offered were sold"
"I did know that trading is this good . I am so happy I sold all the bread this morning"
"I did not imagined that people would like my tailor this much, sold a large number of them and I'm so happy !"

A certificate distribution ceremony for beneficiaries of vocational training courses

As part of the conclusion of the series of vocational training courses at Shams and Mosaic community centers, the Syrian Society for Social Development, in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), held a certificate distribution ceremony for graduates of these courses, they were 45 men and 30 women from the neediest groups of people.
The graduates attended courses in maintenance of mobile phones, maintenance of sewing machines and hair styling for women. The ceremony included a joint lunch followed by the distribution of certificates and talking with the beneficiaries about the ways of living that are opened to them after the training. Everyone then celebrated by cutting the cake that carried the logo of each training. The trainees expressed their happiness with such a gesture from the association when some of them said:
"this is the first certificate for me in my life, I feel that I truly graduated and I have accomplished a great deal"
"The training gave me a profession that I can live on"
"I do not have to wait for some on to fix my machine , I can do it myself now."

Al Salam group trip to the playing park

Because it's not a summer vacation without the joy and trips, one of the friendship groups for PWD at the Syrian Society for Social Development (Al Salam Group) took a trip to the playing park on 28 July. The trip was attended by 70 people among the beneficiaries, volunteers, families and friends. Everyone participated in the games and expressed their great happiness in this activities. One of the mothers said: "I feel that I'm living my childhood again with my family when participated in the games." another mother said : "I can leave on every thing, but I can not give up Al Salam group because they are my second family and friends."
And one of the volunteers said " the playing park is good, but it gets better with Al Salam group "

I'm special

Every human being has an individual talent that distinguishes him from the rest of the people, through which he can build and strengthen his self-confidence, it raise his human dignity and his ethics. All we have to do is to discover, develop and support these talents. Therefore, the Syrian society or Social Development in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had "I am special" event in the city of Aleppo on 27 and 28 of July 2018 on the occasion of the International Day of Youth Skills, the event provided artistic, musical and singing talents and collected all the beneficiaries of the Syrian Society for Social Development.
The training of the beneficiaries began on sing, dancing, casting, presenting and playing together on various musical instruments.
After two months of training, a number of really good talents were selected, ranging in age from 6 to 18 years old.
The event included 250 presenter, 600 people from the children's parents and 30 varied performances. Children with disabilities participated in the performances, where they performed a number of dance and musical pieces.
The effect was positive on the children, where many of them said:
"this is my first time on a theater in front of people, and I am so very happy"
"I first discovered my talent with you, and then I worked to develop it"
"this is the first experience to me on the stage in front of my family, and I will continue to work on my talent"
"I thank SSSD team who helped us to discover our talents and develop our them"
"I now have confidence in myself, so that I stop in front of people face what I fear, and broke the barrier of shyness"
Many parents expressed their joy with their children and their talents, and that they will help their children develop and nurture their talents. The association will continue training for all children so that all children discover their talents , and then we will help them to strengthen an develop them.

A success ninth-grade-students party

Because the success is the ultimate result of working hard,The Syrian Society for Social Development in Aleppo, in cooperation with the UNHCR office, held a celebration for the successful students who passed in the ninth grade exams, the party included paragraphs of art provided by children, followed by a range of entertainment games. The party ended with a paragraph of honoring the outstanding students and provide gifts for all the successful ones.
the students were happy enough due to the success, so they did not expect anyone to celebrated them, one of the children gave us flowers and said : " you deserve all the flowers in the world after what you did to us. I can't believe that after all of that, you also are celebrating us."
One of the girls asked the volunteers for a picture with them saying: (it is the first time someone throw me a part, and it happened to be with the teacher I love, I want a pic with you so I don't ever forget this day).
One of the children who had the informal exam said: (I am so excited to have the high school exam to see what you're going to do after this party).
On the day after the party, a mother came with some sweets to thank the volunteers for everything they gave to the children, especially as she refused for her daughter to attend the party, but after the volunteers insisted and promised to take her back, she agreed.

The girl thanked the volunteers as she left the party saying, "Thank you very much for the this special day. I felt special for the very first time"
The children expressed their happiness when they saw their pictures in the sessions ( oh , we can remember every picture, I feel this is my house that I find myself in).

Overcoming the obstacle

Mr. E is a 28 years old man who has a physical need, and live with his mother, sister, wife and three children in Al Ashrafieh area.
To be responsible for supporting his mother, sister, wife and three children, tailoring was the best profession for him. His hand was disabled and he did not need to use both hands together. That did not last long anyways because the war hit everyone. He lost his job and his brother, who was always a support for him, and now he is responsible for his brother’s family too.
He was forced to work hard works that were not suitable with his handicapped hand, in order to provide his big family's live. During the preliminary evaluation visits of the volunteers of the Syrian society for Social Development in Al Ashrafieh area, the young man was identified and nominated for a small grant.
He applied for the project management course, and he was successful in terms of commitment, mental presence and the outputs that he reached at the end of the training. After the final interview, he was chosen to receive a small grant. He chose his old profession, tailoring, which the war had taken it away from him before.
The young man came back to establish his dream, when he bought the materials he asked for like sewing machines. He is now more able to cope with his difficulties and challenges after he rented a house that he made it a workshop to work in. Believing that tomorrow is better after he has a material resource, he does not have to move between different jobs and now is able to secure the needs of his young children and his family, which has better clothing and food for its members now.
The grant did not stop with Abdullah, he was able to provide jobs for his relatives by involving them in the sewing work on the machines to expand the circle of beneficiaries of the grant, now it includes a larger number and also contributed to meet the needs of the area of sewing.
"My disability was not a hurdle on my way, I overcame myself every time I tired," he said.

A new hope

Strangers had the unity of a situation: displacement, escaping death, loss and suffering. The village of Um Arquila, in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, was the same as other villages in the same area who had suffered from all above.
Ms. R, 33 years old is a mother of five children, she moved away and then returned after 3 years to live in a mud room at her husband's relatives.
Ms. Kh, a 50-year-old woman. She has six daughters who, after her husband's death, returned to live in her mostly demolished home, working on a small fare to support herself and her children and keep them in school.
Ms. H, 40, has seven children, and lost her husband during the war.
This is the case of women who live in a simple rural society, their largest concern is their homes and their families. But, after their return, the village was no longer the one they used to live in. The people changed and the faces are different. The war ended, but it destroyed most of their homes and loved ones. The destruction of most homes and people is burdened by economic and social difficulties because of the arrival of new families who they do not know.
Mr. S, who is five decades, who lives with his 10 children and his wife. His neighbor, Mr. E lives with his wife and eleven children, two of whom have a disability who can cope, except with the presence of a breadwinner, which requires sufficient money for attention and care.
As part of its role in supporting the material resources, the Syrian Society for Social Development went to the eastern countryside of Aleppo where these and other people were monitored and nominated for a small grant. Taking into consideration the most needed ones. They were given a course in project management for three days and after the approval of the projects, which were about sheep keeping , in view of the nature of the pastoral area and its rapid material return, the beneficiaries received their own sheep and feed.
Day after day, the beneficiaries continue their projects carefully and take care of the sheep without any difficulties, because the region helps them to do so and because of their great knowledge in this area.
Beneficiaries are more able to secure their needs, take care of their children, bring them back to school, maintain their homes and keep their livelihoods and access to resources that will give them a new hope of a decent life.
The village also had its share of the projects. providing the people with sheep products, which is considered a main food after these products did not exist due to poor material conditions for all the villagers, which encouraged some people to return to their places of residence in the village.

A New Opportunity

Mrs. S was predestined to become a widowed breadwinner for her 6 children at the age of 35. Her husband passed away because of the events that took place in Sheikh Ahmed village in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, leaving her burdened with greater responsibilities, especially in light of the many displacements she and her children had to go through until they finally settled in Assafira village.

During the Syrian Society for Social Development’s visit to the eastern countryside of Aleppo to support the returnees to these villages, Mrs. S was elected as one of the candidates for a grant within the Small Business Grants project to restore her lost livelihood.

After Mrs. S completed the project management course with total success in terms of attendance and full commitment, she chose to begin a project in sheep raising. The reason behind her choice was the revenue such a project would bring her, the thing which would support her and help her meet life’s basic needs. Also, her children would be able to go back to school once they are back to their village.

Undoubtedly, SSSD purchased and provided all the grant’s requirements.

The smile was too apparent on Mrs. S’s face after she received the grant. Through a follow-up visit, she talked about the difference that happened in her life and the lives of her children, the smile of hope that came back to her and her feeling that there are still people interested in her and other marginalized people. Her joy in securing her children’s needs such as school supplies, food and clothes, was overwhelming. She was also able to build a sheep barn, buy hay and extra fodder from the milk sale surplus.

Mrs. S is now considering expanding her project by selling rams, buying ewes and securing fodder to ensure that her sheep keep increasing.

The importance of the livelihood programme in Mrs. S’s life was crystal clear, especially after her life perspective changed with her five children’s return to school following three years of parting in midst of the crisis.  Her children’s situation could have lasted even more due to the dire financial situation she was living in.

 

Ramadan breakfast tables, organized between SSSD and the local community at Arabesque Community Center.

Ramadan breakfast tables, organized between SSSD and the local community at Arabesque Community Center.

Because Ramadan is the month of good and gathering of people, we had the idea of "Ramadan gathers us" events. The team of SSSD, in collaboration with the (UNHCR) office and by networking with people from the local community, prepared Ramadan breakfasts in Arabesque Community Center in Aleppo. The breakfasts gathered more than 1200 people. They were distributed on eight Fridays’ evenings that included family discussion about Ramadan and Eid rituals, a series of topics from the society provided by theater aims to support the families and to the community cohesion and in the region.

These breakfasts, with the help of young people from the region, returned to the people’s minds the gathering of large families. they expressed their joy as they said:
- Happiness is often a door open to the laughter of children, thank you because you shook the war’s dust and helped us to see the beauty of life.
-I haven’t felt the family gathering in the last five years, but today with you, I felt as if I’m in my house in the days of Ramadan before the crisis.
- We loved the way you welcomed us, and the play reminded us of our beloved people who are now far away.
- I was not able to get a breakfast like this for my children, and now I’m happy because they ate and had a good time.
- I feel like god have made my dream come true, I had a dram of sitting with you in some restaurant and feed you with my hand, and today my dream came true.
- I felt I’m in some European restaurant. I didn’t even imagen of sitting in a regular local one.
- thank you for shaking our fears and making us have the best time, God bless you. We feel like you’re family to us.
- Today, I had the time of my life, I did not expect to have this much fun, my children also had a lot of fun here. We felt like we are all a one big family.
- Thank you for taking the time to do this. You entered the joy to Kadi Askar and Bab Al Hadeed areas.
- I loved everything about today, I hadn’t have this fun sine 30 years.
One kid said “I saw these things on television before but I thought they were acting, I had the time of my life today, and it is real”.
-another kid said: “I haven’t had barbecue a long time a g. today I had them and they were delicious. I’m so happy”.
-One man said: “ the young people in the center are teaching us the meaning of volunteering and cooperation, you encouraged us to do and dream of stuff we didn’t think we could do them”.
-Another man said: “we felt the spirit of love and care we haven’t felt since the war began”.
-“thank your Arabesque center for all the things you’re doing, you’re developing the talents of children, adults and all ages"
-The people even mad a short song by saying: we had our breakfast, it was delusions. We even gave some to the neighbors. We had Eid cloths, and Ramadan gathers us.”

 

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