Idlib Center Brings Childless Parents with Children who Lost Families in War
(AWP) - Abdel-Khaliq Mohamed shed a tear as he touched a newly-born infant for the first time, at a center devoted to provide care for the children who lost their families in the Syrian war, or those with unknown lineage, in the western Idlib countryside. After 15 years of marriage, he and his wife’s wish had finally come true.
Child Home Foundation, in the town of Sarmada, offers care for hundreds of children who meet certain criteria, including the parents’ relinquishing of the child, or their death, whether in the war or in the catastrophic earthquake that befell the region earlier this year.
Since its establishment five years ago, the center has received about 600 children. Currently, there are about 30 inside the center, where the staff work on meticulously selecting the families that can provide good care for them.
The foundation follows the family for a period of five years, offering help and support to ensure that there are no further separations.
Faisal Hammoud, Director of Programs at Child Home Foundation, said the reception of children by Abdel-Khaliq and people like him is only the first step in a five-year follow-up process to make sure the child gets excellent care with his new family.
“Today, families are invited to meet the child for the first time as part of the process of selecting a substitute family that meets all the criteria for the child. The aim is for the family to get acquainted with the child., and from the warmth of their meeting, we can determine how eager the family is to embrace the child. From there, we go on with the next steps,” explained Hammoud.
He pointed out that today, November 20, is World Children’s Day.
“On this day, we always have to remember that these children have the right to live in families, and to be brought up soundly and normally, and to have relationships with their families, just like any children anywhere in the world,” he said.
“The current circumstances in Syria sometimes prevent these children from growing up within families, because of economic conditions and the long years of war,” he said.