One of the things about being a blogger is getting to lend my voice to causes that are near and dear to my heart. Today, I’m excited to share with you the work that CARE is doing with Syrian Refugee’s.

CARE has reached over 2 million Syrians with humanitarian relief, from food baskets and grocery debit cards to emergency shelter and hygiene kits. But as the Syrian conflict goes on past the five year mark, they wanted to do something more.. they wanted to offer hope.

They reached out to some of the original recipients of CARE’S care packages, refugees from WWII and asked them to write a letter of encouragement to a Syrian child. The stories that unfolded are remarkable.

 

I was particular struck by Gunter Nitsch’s letter.

“Seventy years ago, when I was 8 years old like you, I was also a refugee. I‘m writing to share my story with you to let you know that, no matter how bad things may seem, there are good people in this world who can make everything better.”

Having escaped the Russian invasion of East Prussia, Gunter Nitsch and his family made their way, illegally at times, to West Germany. In order to survive, he often stole potatoes from fields along the way. An author of three books about his experience in
His letter and care package was received by Zaher, an eight year old little boy living in Jordan with his family. Since relocating to Jordan, Zaher has been struggling to come to terms with his new life. He misses his yard, his house, and his toys left behind in Syria.

Zaher is eight years old and lives in an apartment with his family in Irbid, Jordan on February 7, 2016. His family left Syria several years ago, not long after the war broke out, but he still remembers and misses his home in Syria. Zaher goes to school i

Gunter Nitsch’s letter offered him hope and this advice:

“I trust with all my heart that your school situation is better than mine was and I hope that your life will also change for the better soon. No matter where you are, always try to learn as much as possible by reading books. The day will come when it all will pay off.”

Zahar thinks of Gunter as a grandfather figure, since receiving his letter and care package.

I was inspired by Gunter to write my own letter to a Syrian Refugee child. You can write one too here.

Dear little one,

My name is Nancyjo and I live in America with my two children, a boy named Malone who is six and a girl named Lola who is two. I’m writing you today because I want to let you know that we are thinking about you as you begin a new life away from your home. We are hopeful that you’re settling in as best you can and that you’re finding happiness in small pleasures. I have never been to Syria, but my close friend Reem is Syrian. She has told me about the beautiful countryside and how delicious the food is. I hope you always remember the best parts of your life there- the parts you can take with you and hold on to forever…. the memories.

I am wishing you a lifetime of peace. Read as many books as you can and if you’re unsure about what to say to someone in your new home, offer them a smile. A smile is free to give and a universal language.

With love,

Nancyjo

3 Easy Ways To Help Syrian Refugees Today:

  1. Words matter. Take a few minutes to write your own letter of encouragement to a Syrian Refugee child today. You can do that here. 
  2. Make a donation to CARE.org and send a “CARE Package” to a Syrian Family. Every dollar donated counts. But for just $70.00 you can provide an entire month’s worth of food.
  3. Sign this petition to remind the President and our leaders that this is an issue you care about.