Emergency War Relief Campaign
Bringing Play, Treats and Smiles to Kids
While their Moms were receiving training in trauma relief education and techniques, we provided some fun activities and treats for their children.
Imagine if you had to flee your home in the middle of the night with only the clothes on your back. That was the case for many of the internal refugees fleeing the explosions to their homes this past month. Many of these refugees have little to no support. Many children are barefoot or wearing rubber flip flops because that is all their families can afford.
With your help, we can provide families with warm winter clothes, toiletries, food and inner peace.
These are some of the items, including warm socks, in our Be in Peace care packages.
Why Would a Child Be Barefoot in the Snow?
Sobhi and Nawar (before he received his family's care package.)
Women's War Trauma Relief Support Groups
The women start the session with a getting to know you game ... the one with the ball introduces themself.
The women are invited to select a slip of paper from the "inspiration box," answering feel good questions like ...
Who is the person who gives you moral support?
Mention two blessings in your life that make you grateful for them.
Mention a dish/or/type of dessert that you are good at, and that your family asks you for?
Mention a situation that makes you smile whenever you remember it.
What are the qualities that you like about your personality?
What is the most beautiful memory that comes to mind from your childhood?
What is the positive trait that you see in yourself (your personality) that others do not notice?
What is your goal in life?
The women watch a film about the effects of war and signs of trauma.
Here, the women are guided by our Program Director to apply the HeartMath® cardiac breathing technique to support their trauma relief by placing their hands on their hearts, slowing their breath and breathing into their hearts the feelings of ease and peace.
Be In Peace Emergency Trauma Relief Program
Our Be in Peace Facilitator team meets with small groups of women from the nearby towns directly impacted by the war bombings, who have been displaced into three of Arsal's Refugee Shelters. Be in Peace has begun delivering this emergency one session program for these new internal refugees, comprised of:
WHO (World Health Organization) evaluation screening of participant's well-being levels
Fostering Group socialization and communication activities
Presenting a short video about wars and their impact on people
Inspiration Box Q & A to foster discussion
Teaching and applying the HeartMath® cardiac breathing trauma relief exercise as a group.
Distributing Basic Needs items, including personal hygiene products; winter clothing such as gloves, hats, socks, scarves; and food items such as healthy dried fruit, nuts and sweets.
Providing light refreshments for mothers and their children
Distributing Care Packages
Mrs. Aisha, practicing stress relief breathing techniques
"Our Only Goal Was to Stay Alive"
Mrs. Aisha is a Syrian woman who was living her normal day to day life with her family in a town nearby Arsal until she began to hear and feel the explosions. The mother of 5 and her children became more and more anxious as the bombs came closer to their home. In a panic, they fled, taking nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Their only goal was to stay alive. Displaced, the family sought safety in the town of Arsal, living in one of the schools.
She tells us:
"I was not afraid for myself, as I went through similar situations of displacement and moving from one place to another, but my fear was for my children and young grandchildren, we had to save them, we forgot everything we owned, and left in the clothes we were wearing,"
Her voice trembled, mixed with tears, filled with sadness ... miserable, helpless feelings ... she tells us she wishes she could cook for her children and family again, but she has no pot, stove or plates to serve them. Then she gathers her strength and feelings, and says: Thank God we are all fine ... something that God compensates us for." She thanked us a lot at the end of the session, and told us that she felt very relieved, because we communicated with them, and asked about them, so she was able to express everything she felt with all comfort and sincerity. She and the other ladies asked for us to visit them again and to be part of the new Stress Relief sessions.
Help us continue supporting the many women like Mrs. Aisha, whose only goal was to stay alive. Let's help give them peace.
The Project's Basic Needs Items
The majority of these new refugees have lost all their possessions in the bombings and are receiving little government aid other than the local shelters. This is an example of one of the hygiene packs Be in Peace provides to each woman / family who attends our trauma relief program. It includes shampoo, a hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, women's sanitary products and children's winter hats and socks. Each pack costs $10 USD (our per person/family budget) and is free of charge to each program attendee. Please donate today!
Mrs. Mona lives in the Arsal tent camp and has developed a small cottage industry business, knitting wool socks, hats, scarves and other items for custom order. With the bitter cold winters arriving in Arsal, she will be providing Be in Peace with warm hats at a discounted cost of $3.50 and $2 for scarves. This is a win / win situation ... not only can we provide low-cost warm winter wear to our beneficiaries, but we can also support the economy of the residents in the local community with our dollars. Please join us in supporting this live giving program!
