“What makes you happy?” I asked Rima, a youngster in the refugee support group for Syrian girls. The young girls sat in a circle and were taking turns saying their names and sharing something about themselves.
When it came to Rima’s turn, she didn’t know what to say. Tears formed in her great big eyes.
Rima is like so many young Syrian girls. Through the loss of homes, family members, and educational opportunities, they experience deep grief while also carrying a burdensome weight of responsibility in their families. Most of them have no safe place to process their own trauma or receive healing from the emotional effects of war.
That’s why we started support groups for the girls. Together with a team of local staff, we provide youngsters like Rima with opportunities to learn new creative skills, such as art, cooking, and knitting. Under the guidance of our compassionate staff, the girls find an emotionally safe place where they are empowered to make decisions and acquire skills they can enjoy and master.
In addition, the staff serve the girls by listening to their stories, walking with them through their suffering, and blessing them as genuine friends speaking words of truth, worth, and hope into their lives.
A local counselor visits the groups every week to help the young Syrians work through unprocessed trauma. This gives them the chance to give voice to their experiences and to discuss different age-appropriate topics.
By the time Rima spoke up, tears were streaming down her face. “I like to see my mom happy,” she said, “but she is very sad.”
Rima has seen so much hardship for a girl so young.
Our prayer is for Rima and the other refugee girls to meet the Healer, the Comforter, the Good Father—the One who is bigger than their pain and circumstances.
God has not forgotten the suffering of Syrian refugees. Praise the Lord for long-term workers who are sharing His love with refugees and giving them an opportunity to discover Jesus Christ, their Healer.
**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.**
Original article: https://www.frontiersusa.org/blog/article/healing-for-syrian-girls