Arwa lives in Aleppo, Syria, and works for a church. She is married to Agop, who suffers with a heart condition, and has a 24-year-old son, who is currently training to become a barber.

During the civil war, the family’s house was partially destroyed, but their local church (that Embrace supports) helped them repair part of it. Sadly, the earthquake damaged their home again, with one of the walls collapsing on them. Thankfully, they escaped without serious injuries, and sheltered with relatives and then at the church until their home was repaired.

The church helped the family settle back in their home after the earthquake, and repaired their broken fridge. As well as receiving limited cash assistance from some NGOs, the family also has food baskets from the church, which they say help tremendously.

Arwa says: “We see very little hope in the near future and we are afraid we might need assistance all our life. The only dream we have left is to be able to provide a good and decent life for our son, and to help him buy equipment to work as a barber.”

About the local church

This family’s church is affiliated with the Latin community in Syria. It provides relief aid and educational programmes to support people’s livelihoods. The high cost of living and the lack of job opportunities means that the needs in the community it serves are great. Embrace supports this church via our Lebanese partner, MERATH.