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Reflections on Resilience: A Family’s Journey Through the Syrian Conflict
The story of Baraa, now a 20-year-old university student, traces back to her childhood days when she and her family were uprooted from the Old City of Homs nearly a decade ago. In the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s prolonged rule, Baraa found herself amidst jubilant crowds in the streets of Syria, a backdrop of hope contrasting sharply with her turbulent past.
As she recalls, “Even now, I look back and wonder how we survived this nightmare.” Surrounded by her sisters, Ala and Jana, the three young women huddled on a worn sofa in their modest Homs home, each of them nodding in agreement as memories of hardship lingered just beneath the surface.
Baraa’s father, Farhan Abdul Ghani, shared his perspective, stating, “We did not want war. We did not want a forever president who builds monuments to himself.” Their family’s plight mirrors that of countless others affected by the ongoing conflict, which had once shattered the peaceful aspirations of Homs residents.
In 2011, Homs emerged as a symbol of the uprising when peaceful protests erupted, demanding change before devolving into the violence that engulfed the country. Baraa’s family was among those evacuated during a rare humanitarian pause orchestrated by the United Nations in February 2014. They survived a harrowing two-year siege characterized by the Syrian military’s ruthless strategy, which forced civilians into a dire existence marked by hunger and despair.
Reflecting on those dark times, Baraa recalled the grim realities of survival: “Instead of learning to read and write, I learned about weapons.” The siege had transformed a child’s world into a brutal arena of violence and starvation, leading families to desperate measures, with some resorting to eating grass and surviving on scant food supplies.
Fast forward to the present, Homs has seen a resurgence of life, yet the wounds of war remain raw. Old City, once known as the “capital of the revolution,” still bears scars of devastation. This juxtaposition of sacrifice and renewed hope was evident in the community’s response as Baraa and many like her began to visualize a future beyond the conflict.
“I felt as if I was asleep and I lost hope,” Baraa confessed, adjusting her headscarf while speaking about the years of fear that silenced much of the population. Now, however, she expresses renewed optimism, saying, “I am dreaming of so many things now, to finish university, to do a master’s degree, to improve my English.” This newfound aspiration signifies the resilience that has taken root among the youth in Syria.
Farhan beams with pride as he reflects on his daughters’ growth. Following the tragic loss of their mother to a rocket strike that shattered their kitchen, he has single-handedly raised his three daughters amid the ongoing challenges of poverty and insecurity. He noted a shift in the current economic climate with prices for food and utilities decreasing as checkpoints have become less obstructive. “Everything is cheaper now,” he remarked, highlighting a small but significant improvement in their lives as the country gradually begins to stabilize.
As the ruins of Homs echo the sound of recovery, the psychological effects of the war continue to manifest. Dr. Hayan al-Abrash, who lost a brother to the notorious Saydnaya prison, articulates the haunting memories tied to the landscape of destruction. He recalls with emotion the remnants of an underground hospital he had once operated, now a mere shadow of its former self.
Despite the pain of reliving those memories, Dr. al-Abrash emphasizes the need to build a better future for Syria, stating, “It’s a time to build Syria for everyone.” His sentiment resonates with many residents who recognize the necessity of unity in rebuilding a fractured society. Despite lingering anger towards those who perpetuated the violence, hope remains as people speak of collaboration and shared dreams for the future.
The Jesuit community also plays a crucial role in the healing process. Farhan and his daughters visited a former shelter in a Jesuit monastery moderated by Father Frans, a Dutch priest whose legacy continues to inspire resilience among the community. The current pastor, Father Tony Homsy, remarks on the significance of their shared history, affirming that the stories of Muslims and Christians intertwine in the quest for peace and healing.
While Father Tony acknowledges the long road ahead in mending spiritual and emotional wounds, he, too, holds onto hope for a brighter future for all Syrians. “It will take time to heal our wounds, to heal our memories,” he cautions, embodying the collective resolve that characterizes many in Syria today.
Source
www.bbc.com