The worlds largest orphanage will be opening its doors in Turkey tomorrow morning to 990 children left behind by the Syrian war.
Undoubtedly, children are most affected by the Syrian war that has been going on since 2011.
According to the official reports one in every three Syrian children, which corresponds to 3,7 million children, was born after the war started.
Currently over 80% of Syrian children, 8,4 million who are trying to survive both inside the country and in neighbouring countries as refugees are still affected by war. Moreover most of these children need help in many areas ranging from education to healthcare, food, psychological support and security.
“It is estimated that more than 800 000 children lost their fathers during the war that took over 450 000 lives already.”
Syrian orphans like orphans else where are threatened by substance abuse, forced into being child soldiers, human traffickers, missionary organizations, prostitution and organ mafia or begging rings.
The lives of these children, who were born in the middle of war or far from their homes are shaped by violence and fear of loss and deportation. Psychological support and rehabilitation comes first among the list of essentials needed by orphan children who are war victims in order to grow up as physically and mentally healthy individuals in safe environment.
The new “City for Human Welfare” came to life with this goal in mind.
The city has been designed and built in Antioch, Turkey near the border of Syria. With the help of the “Humanitarian Relief Fund”, the new place of safety will be a home for 990 children who have lost both parents during the war.
“The city features 55 houses, 3 schools, a mosque, a health clinic, playgrounds, cultural centers, sports halls, rehabilitation centers, art workshops, open patches for gardening and planting, loads of outdoor activity space and an olive orchard… all housed on a 100 000 square meter space.”
The city has been modelled on a small neighbourhood. A space for children traumatized in war to be giving the chance to return to a normal life.
Over 550 staff members, from care-givers, to teachers, to security, and psychologists will work and live on the property making sure that the kids get the best possible care.
In addition to leading a peaceful life in a safe environment here, child residents of the city will be able to build their self-esteem that will serve as an antidote against antisocial and introvert tendencies; to foster feelings of mercy and kindness by tending trees and caring for pets.
They will be able to take control of their emotions through love and rehabilitation and make their dreams for their own futures a reality.
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