(ANS - Madrid)- After four years of conflict, Syria is devastated and so are its children ... "In the middle of the conflict the young Syrians in the Salesian centres in Aleppo, Damascus and Kafroun are trying to take control of their lives. They dream of peace and of building a better Syria." This is part of the campaign of Misiones Salesianas of Madrid, to help the people who are still affected by the war.

Among the testimonies collected by Misiones Salesianas Madrid is one by eleven-year-old Lin Wahba. "I saw my uncle being killed and my house blown up. It was very hard. I hope this does not happen again. When it all ends we will have to to build a civilized society. I do not want to live in a country that is illiterate and ignorant. I believe that we must invest in education and in the values ​​of respect, dialogue and peace."

Some statistics of the conflict that started in 2011:

250,000 deaths

50,000 missing

6 million people have fled their homes

10 million need humanitarian aid

670,000 have had their education interrupted

"There are shortages of food, water, fuel and medicines. Normal activities have been replaced by new needs, but we continue working with joy and hope that their dreams may come true." So say the missionaries who are close to the people who are suffering in the conflict. And this is happening not only in Syria but also in the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ukraine, etc.

Further information is available on the campaign site of Misiones Salesianas de Madrid.

Published 04/03/2015