Project Amal ou Salam was founded in 2013 after our co-founders Nousha Kabawat and Aziz Abu Sarah visited refugee areas in southern Turkey and the Atmeh IDP camp in northern Syria, where they were struck by the lack of educational resources and support for the children there. Project Amal ou Salam seeks to address these gaps by supporting educational initiatives for Syrian children and running workshops that meet their emotional needs and give them a chance to grow through creativity, fun, and play.
In the last four years, our workshops have reached thousands of Syrian children and we have begun sponsoring schools in the major countries of refuge (Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon) and inside Syria. To learn more about our work, you can check out our mission and goals, and meet our team who make Project Amal ou Salam possible.
I was heartbroken by many things I saw on the workshop days, from kids with battle wounds (both physical disabilities and obvious emotional trauma), to the fact that many children did not want to eat their lunches as they were determined to save them for family members …. I can say after having seen this first-hand that there is hope for the future if educational, recreational and therapeutic programs such as this one continue to be supported. – Genny, American
The biggest blessing of this work is the happiness you find yourself creating on the children’s faces. Their grins and eagerness to give you hugs and kisses and thanks – with occasional whispers of “this is the most fun I’ve had since leaving Syria” or even “this has been the best day of my life” – is truly the greatest reward that we could ask for. Keep spreading the love! – Grace, Syrian living in Dubai
Especially looking at a world where conflict exists globally it was inspiring to be part of a group that has no political or religious agenda and simply wants to inspire hope and spread a positive message, which is truly refreshing. – Sandrine, Swiss living in Dubai
