All names in this investigative report have been changed to protect the safety and security of those involved and to ensure the identities of the foster families who have taken in some of these children remain confidential. Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in the success of this mission, as safeguarding the identities of both the children and the families providing care is critical, particularly in regions affected by ongoing conflict and instability.
In the heart of Old Damascus,, where life is marked by challenges and hardships, lives Maya. At just 14 years old, she carries burdens far beyond her years.
At five in the morning, we met Issa in his modest, rural home in al-Karamah area of the Raqqa countryside. The early breeze bit into our faces as Issa finished breakfast with his brothers and father. Dressed in a red shirt, he had pulled on a light cotton jacket to shield himself from the morning chill.
Sunday, December 15th. While students from various cities and villages across Syria packed their bags in preparation for their first day of school after the fall of Assad, Ali was gearing up for a long day at work. His workshop awaited him, where he would spend hours of his day surrounded by tools and engines.
This is Joana in the fifth grade, attending this school for the past five years, but everything changed after the night of February 6, 2023….
In the war-torn town of Ehsim, Syria, a young girl named Safiya embarks on a courageous daily journey to school. Amidst the remnants of destroyed homes, she walks with trepidation, intentionally shielding her eyes from the haunting surroundings.
