Memory Regained

About 2 years ago we reached out to the local orphanage and brought them into our world. It has been a wonderful friendship and journey together, changing the lives of those entrusted to them, and incorporating them into several of our programmes with the hope and prayer that we would play a small part in building restorative memories for them.

This week we share a letter of thanks that we received from them, which, yes, in these hard days, filled our hearts with joy.

Here at Shariya Orphanage we sometimes receive children whose early years were defined by neglect and hardship. Most of the stories are too sensitive to share in detail, and in order to protect these young lives we often “disguise” their faces when posting pictures. What we can say about these children is that they arrive carrying heavy burdens and both emotional and physical wounds.

About a month ago, Shariya Camp Management brought three new children to us: Randa, 11 years; Raniya, 5 years; and Rayan, aged 3. The three siblings had been living with their stepmother as their parents had divorced and the custom is that children of divorced parents stay with the father, the mother being “cast out”.

For a period of time the children lived with their father and stepmother, until their father left, leaving them with the stepmother, who inevitably did not want them. Although both their parents are alive, they are effectively orphans, abandoned, lacking all forms of safety, protection and family stability.

When they first arrived at the orphanage, they were frightened, withdrawn and unsure if they could allow themselves to trust anyone. For the majority of their young years their homes had been conflict zones, and they had been devoid of even basic care and nourishment. When food was given to them, they devoured it quickly as if they were machines, anxiously enquiring whether there would be more food that day. Simple things surprised them: clean clothes, snacks, fresh fruit, things that should be ordinary and part of a normal life. Seeing their reactions broke our hearts.

Our first step was gentle care, hygiene, clean clothing, medical check-ups, and giving them a safe space. More importantly, we began building emotional safety. At the beginning all three were afraid to speak, worried that anything they might say would lead to punishment. We responded with patience, gentleness and consistency. Day by day they are learning that they are safe.

Randa, the eldest, is especially sensitive to raised voices. She is still incredibly fearful; fear lives alongside her, but we see her changing, albeit slowly, and there is progress. Raniya is beginning to discover the childhood that was taken from her and in the process is beginning to smile. Rayan, at a tender 3 years, needs constant reassurance and gentle guidance but, like his sisters, is beginning to show signs of comfort and trust.

The transformation of the children became even more visible after their weekly visits to Horses for Hope in Old Shariya Village. The stables and the animals bring the siblings a deep peace that we do not see them embrace elsewhere. In that environment they are fully present, fully engaged and are calm and smiling. They talk about their visits for days and when the Springs of Hope bus arrives, their excitement fills the entire orphanage.

What moved us most is how quickly they gave their trust to the SOHF staff, how quickly they formed significant bonds with Avya, with Wessam, Bnar and Nojdar. Even though they are new to us and still learning how to interact with the outside world, they immediately felt safe, loved and happy with the Springs of Hope team. Yesterday when they went on an outing, they asked why Ms Avya was not with them, a small question revealing their depth of care for her.

We are deeply grateful for every invitation from Springs of Hope, both to the Hope Centre and to Horses for Hope. We are deeply grateful for everything we see and experience and for everything we know that happens unseen and quietly behind the scenes. The kindness, the patience, the dedication and love given to our children by all the Springs of Hope staff mean more than words can express.

Many organisations ask to work with our children but we do not open our doors or give trust lightly. Springs of Hope Foundation is the only organisation that receives our full and complete trust, even allowing our children to go with their staff without us accompanying them. That trust was built over a few months by experiencing their genuine care, respect, consideration and consistency.

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“For a child the loss of a parent is the loss of memory itself.”

— Svetlana Alexievich

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May God bless every member of Springs of Hope with success and goodness. Thank you for standing beside our children, for honouring and protecting them and for helping them rediscover what childhood should feel like, and for helping their fragile hearts and spirits to heal.

We will remain forever grateful for the light and hope that you bring into their lives.

With deepest gratitude,

Randa, Raniya and Rayan and all the staff and family of the orphanage.