Thank you ACN Benefactors!
Over 300 young university students have been able to continue their studies thanks to the support channelled through their local Church, via a project sponsored by the international Catholic pastoral charity and pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need.
Since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, the foundation has given over 3.6 million Euros to help a great majority of Christian university students in Syria continue their studies.
“There has been a great deal of suffering in Homs, and many families have lost everything in the war”, says a young student, AnaghemTannous, who is studying civil engineering.
“Being able to continue with my studies is what has helped me to remain hopeful and stay happy through these years. Now I want to be able to deepen my knowledge and help other people here in my country.”
Khalil explains, “I was given a bursary for educational materials and so I could follow a course in French. I was also given help with transport to the university.”
“Many thanks for your help. There are many of us facing difficulties, but you never failed us with your support”, acknowledges Wissam Salloum, aged 21 and a software engineering student.
“I’m in my fourth year; hopefully, next year I will graduate, but I would like to continue my studies in order to avoid being sent to war. I want to remain in Syria and I am hoping that very soon we will have peace, peace for everyone.”
Wissam finds it difficult to put into words his emotions when he is told that kind benefactors around the world are helping him and hundreds of other young students to be able to continue their studies and their careers.
“One of the most difficult times I experienced was when the university was forced to close down a few years ago, for several months, owing to the intensity of the attacks. We all thought that we would now no longer be able to fulfil our dreams and finish our university careers and one day enjoy a better life here.”
Her friend, Pascal Napkin, also wants to say thank you,
“We know now that we are not alone. This gives us the motivation to complete our studies and at the same time to help those who are most in need here in Homs”, she tells us. “And we want to thank Pope Francis too. I don’t know him personally, of course, but I know that he has spoken many times about Syria and has told the world about our situation.”
ACN is now seeking in order to be able to fund the studies of some 7350 school and university students in Aleppo.
