(ANS - Madrid) - Syria continues to drown in a sea of ​​blood. The violence is never-ending. The noise of gunshot and explosions is louder than any conversation. For now, the overwhelming desire is for peace. However, the Salesians remain close to the people, especially the young, and confirm that hope has not disappeared from their hearts.

There has been no security in Syria for a long time. Fear is constant, because of the ongoing violence all around, and it continues to spread and grow. Children have lost their innocence with the threat of death around every corner and at every minute. The people are still waiting for peace but no one knows when it will be a reality.

Fr Simon Zakerian, SDB, describes the situation of pain and destruction experienced by the young people and families that are being cared for by the Salesians in Aleppo, Damascus and Kafroun: "Every day there are dead and wounded. Every day there are kidnappings, threats, displaced persons ... Even those who cower in their homes are not immune from the bombs ... What are we to do? What is the solution? No one knows."

Despite the suffering and the daily atrocities experienced by the Syrian people, "the will to live is much stronger than the fear of death and the temptation to surrender to despair", according to the Salesians.

In the midst of adversity there are still examples of integrity and fortitude, "the child who goes to school despite the missiles and bullets all around, is strong. The father who starts work every morning, while the city is gripped by violence, is strong.  The mother who leaves home with her daughter to take her to school and waits for her at the corner when she goes to collect her, is strong. The young people who go to university knowing that a bomb or a missile can put an end to their lives, they are strong" he says.

The people try to continue their lives without succumbing to bitterness, with great sacrifice and determination, so that desperation and fear may not triumph over their desire for peace. However, there are many who have had to leave everything and flee the country.

They are mainly young people who want to leave, for fear of being conscripted and to seek better opportunities for the future. The Salesian houses in Aleppo and Damascus offer them initiatives of hope and unity to help them to overcome the trauma of war and to persevere in their desire to work for peace in their country.

Source: Misiones Salesianas

Published 14/12/2015