Successful Campaign Delivers Immediate Support to Children
For many years the Parish of St Mark has been sponsoring refugees from Syria. On Wednesday evening, February 15, one of our families, Sumar Al Hbayo and her husband Bader Al Faraj received news that sixty children living in camps near the Turkish border had been orphaned by the recent earthquake. Neighbours and villagers who have very little themselves are caring for the children until permanent arrangements can be made for the children. Shocked and concerned, Samar sprang into action, approaching Jennifer and Terry Roberts and the Ali Al Faraj Refugee Sponsorship committee about setting up an event to raise funds needed to help buy diapers, milk, clothing and other essentials.
Three days later, St Mark’s hall facilities had been secured; our congregation was rallied and volunteers spread the word at the Saturday morning Farmers Market. Samar, her husband Bader, her brother Hesham Alhbiyou and his wife Nour Alebaid cooked for two days!! and prepared mountains of savoury Syrian dishes and treats such as hummus, baklava and date filled cookies. By Saturday, February 18, the church hall at St. Mark’s was ‘humming’ with people coming and going, meeting our Syrian friends and their children and finding out more about the current conditions in the camps. Donors gave generously to support the efforts and partake of the feast.
While it is very difficult to get humanitarian aid to those in need in Syria right now, the refugee committee has a long-established lifeline to get the funds to the people who need them. To date, more than $9,000 has been realized, including the money donated at the church service the next day and other donations that came in after the event!! 100% of the money raised will go directly to support the orphans. We are indeed blest by our Syrian friends and by our generous and caring congregation and community. Thanks be to God!
While all of the money raised can’t be sent in a lump sum, some has already been received. It was a wonderful day in the camp when the first instalments arrived and went to purchase food and wood for fuel. If you still wish to contribute, please speak to Terry Roberts.