Much of the real impact of our work takes place after an event, when the children share their experiences with their families, and they talk to their classmates and others in their community. The Little Heroes, feeling valued and inspired once more, have the courage to make new friends and grow to become little peacemakers. In this way, they build new bridges of respect and understanding with children of other faiths that they meet in their community. This encourages an attitude of reconciliation and a rebuilding of trust between the faiths.
Little Heroes, while Christian, is open to all. All local denominations take part; sadly, ecumenical activities are very rare in the Middle East due to a deep-seated mistrust between Christian denominations. However, even local Bishops have chosen to take part in Little Heroes to support the children.
In addition, every year, Muslim families send their children to Little Heroes. These children take full part in the activities and also receive counselling and support. The parents trust the Awareness Foundation, and they recognise that Little Heroes offers their children both a disciplined environment and a rare opportunity to interact with their Christian peers.
Without Little Heroes, the children receive no counselling and very little spiritual nourishment. Sunday Schools in Syria are vastly oversubscribed due to internal displacement, and mass emigration means that most Sunday School teachers have left. In this case, the children will remain traumatised and separated from God, and their possible positive impact on community harmony will be lost.The programme is led by experienced educators, with the support of our local coordinator and her team of 30 locally-trained volunteers. Our programme is tailor-made by Syrians for the children of Syria.
The people and communities of Syria have been shattered by years of sectarian violence. Many elements of the country’s infrastructure have been destroyed, and relations between faiths have been poisoned by the religious nature of much of the violence. Many have left their homes, never to return.
