Their homes have been destroyed. Don't let that happen to their education

Christians like you are giving hope to Syrian refugee children. But much more can still be done.

 

We can’t help them. The situation’s hopeless. Syria – it’s a basket case. The people who’ve left it are best not thought about: unfortunate, sure, but not our problem. Not like us. Them. Refugees.

Praise God, most Christians BMS World Mission knows don’t feel this way – nor do they think of refugees as ‘swarms’ or terrorists. But it’s easy to fall into the habit of obscuring human beings with that word: refugees. And it’s easy to think there’s nothing you can do.

But there is. You can help refugee children today.

Children with names and personalities and potential. We’re excited because we have the privilege of introducing you to two of them.

We asked their teachers (who you can help support) to introduce us. We asked their parents if they’d let you get a glimpse of two funny, charming, big-hearted boys from Syria called Ali and Yussef.

Ali and Yussef are half-brothers. Ali is ten and Yussef is 11. They come from Homs in Syria and today they live outside Beirut in Lebanon – a country they’ve been living in for seven years.



So many Syrian children like Ali and Yussef have had their school years ripped apart. You can give them hope of a better life.

Our temptation when we meet children like Ali and Yussef is to treat them like statistics. Case studies, defined by the worst parts of their stories and the story of their country: the bombings and beheadings, the murdered family members.

That’s not what we want. Ali is not a victim, he’s hilarious. He loves English and learning new words, and while he likes playing football, he’s not nearly as good at it as Yussef. And Yussef is cheeky. And confident. And says he gets in trouble a little more than his brother – but their teacher tells me they’re both good boys.

Their family lives in a tent. That’s not life for all refugees, but it is for their family. They sleep on mattresses on the floor and when I ask them to describe the tent, Ali looks impatient, like I’m a little slow: “It’s just a normal tent,” he says. And to him it is.



We want to help more refugee children like Yussef get back into the classroom, where they can learn, be inspired, and get their childhood back.

Children like Ali and Yussef have had their entire lives disrupted and uprooted by war. They’re living in a country that was once invaded by Syria. They’re in danger of missing years of school, of losing all hope for a future of employment and fulfilled potential. And that’s where you come in.

You can give right now to help us support the learning centre that is changing their lives. You can make sure other children get the chance they’re getting.

There are so many Syrian children who we haven’t yet been able to help. So many not yet blessed with what BMS supporters have given Ali and Yussef: a supportive, caring environment where they can learn and grow and hear about God’s love.

Here's what you can do:

Give £15 – this can pay for a desk and chair for a child
Give £32 – this can pay for one child's school transport for half a term
Give £113 – this can pay for a teacher for a week


By giving now you can make a real difference, stepping into the gap and helping children like Ali and Yussef, as well as children and adults around the world whose lives God is transforming through BMS work and UK Christian support.

Be a part of that miraculous story today. Reject the message of hopelessness and make a donation – every amount makes a difference – and show that no child, no human being, should be defined by a label.

This story was originally published on the BMS World Mission website and is used with permission