Looking back, Omar (name changed) reflects that life was once so simple and beautiful for his family and himself. The 33-year old lived in a nice house with his wife and children, and had a stable job he enjoyed. However, when the war in Syria started, they had to flee from airstrikes and violence. Today, Omar, his wife and five children shelter alongside other relatives. They share one room, sleeping side by side on mattresses on the floor.
The war has taken a toll on him. The constant insecurity and never knowing what will come next is exhausting for the family. “My parents both got injured during an airstrike. We have lost so much, and I am always very worried that something will happen to my family,” Omar says. “When we fled our house, we could not even take our belongings. We had to carry our children; how could we have taken anything else? We ran for our lives and I still thank God that we actually made it.” Like many Syrians, Omar has been unable to find consistent a job since being displaced. Every now and then, he found work as a daily laborer, but nothing that would provide him with a steady income. In some areas of Syria, the number of people without formal employment exceeds 90%. At the same time, Syria has seen some of the steepest price increases globally.
When he heard about a work opportunity with SRC from the community council, he immediately registered. For three months, he helped rehabilitate a school which had been destroyed. He helped manage tools and equipment, ensuring the other men had what they needed to restore the school back into working order. Since the beginning of the war, two in five schools have been destroyed or damaged, with many schools being used for military purposes. Over 2 million children – which is over one-third of Syria’s child population – are currently not able to start or continue their education. 1.3 million children are at risk of dropping out, with many children requiring specialized psychosocial support.
“It felt good doing something useful for the community. We turned a dark, dull place back into a place of joy, where children can work towards a brighter future. I was also happy to be able to work again and buy clothes and food for my children.” Omar received a total of 360 USD for the 45 days that he worked.” His own children are currently too young to go to school, but Omar hopes that there will not be any further bombs and airstrikes hitting his neighborhood. “More than anything I wish my country would return to peace. I wish my children could sleep again without feeling scared or sad.”
