"What happened in Homs was very hard. Still, we did not think about emigrating because we have strong commitments here and ties with our local community—the idea of emigration was totally unacceptable to my father. He feels rooted in the land and leaving Syria is not for him."
“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.”
A young expectant mother, Genan Abdalaha, expressed her joy and hope that she might give birth to her new child in her own home. She said: “We can’t wait for the moment when we can return home; and God willing, it will be soon!”
“Christians would love to stay and be bound to their country because this is their land… What is preventing them from staying is the instability in their work, the insecurity and vulnerability that they are facing, economic difficulties and dreadful living conditions.”
“Everyone who is helping to rebuild there is investing their personal courage and vision for the future. That is the foundation for rebuilding relations between people.”