Syrian Family Refugee Fund


Born and raised in the Upper Midwest of the USA, I have been a teacher and advocate for social justice and human rights since graduating from St. John's University.  I am currently living and working in Abha, Saudi Arabia at an English language institute. In July, I had the opportunity to volunteer in a refugee camp in Zahle, Bekaa Valley--on the Syria-Lebanon border.  I spent time teaching in the Hope program, which is the English education arm of  the NGO Triumphant Mercy.



The UN estimates that there are currently more than 2 million refugees in Lebanon. The need for basic supplies, adequate housing, work and education is urgent and overwhelming.  I’ve created this campaign to address this issue on a very small scale.  I’m hoping to support 2 families with whom I had the opportunity to meet and share many cups of tea as I learned about their stories, needs, and dreams. 



The first family, led by an amazing woman named Wafaa, is from Aleppo—a city that has been catastrophically destroyed by the Syrian conflict.  They have been living in a refugee camp for the past 4 years. Wafaa supports her disabled husband, elderly mother-in-law, and 3 children—including a deaf daughter named Warda.  Warda is 12 years old and has been unable to attend school for the past 4 years as there are no programs for deaf children in Zahle.  Wafaa told me that Warda would cry every day when she watched the other children going off to school.  With the assistance of the Learning Centre for the Deaf in Beirut, we were able to find a boarding school where Warda can study and learn to read, write, and sign.  The cost of the program is $3500, which includes room and board for 1 year.  We are looking for scholarships and other sources of funding to support her continued education at the school.  


The second family is made up of Ali, his wife and daughter, mother, and five sisters.  They are from a rural area outside of Aleppo and have been in the refugee camp for 2 years.  In 2013, while traveling to the city to bring medicine for his father, Ali was shot in the head.  He survived the attack, but went blind as a result of the injury.  His father, along with his brother-in-law, was later killed.  Ali’s sisters work long hours in a potato field to support the family.  They earn pitiable wages and it is not enough to support the needs of the family.  Ali proposed the idea to build a small store in the camp to sell clothes, shoes, and other basic goods.  We estimate the cost to be $4500 in order to rent a space, build and stock the store.



Watch an interview with Ali:

Interview with Ali 



Both of these projects are long term investments in the hopes and futures of these two families. It is only a drop of water in the ocean of need, but it is something I, along with the support of all you, can do.



I take inspiration from the words of Arundhati Roy, Indian writer and social justice activist:



“To love. To be loved. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power.  Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away.”



I sincerely thank you for taking the time to consider supporting this campaign.  In addition to your financial contributions, your thoughts, prayers, and loving vibes are greatly appreciated. 



Note: I will be returning to Lebanon Sept. 2-15.  The faster we raise the funds, the faster we can begin these projects.  It would be amazing if we could get Warda into the school by the end of Sept. and begin the shop project with Ali and family during my visit. 

Also, I want to state that I will be personally responsible for withdrawing all funds raised, and delivering them evenly between both families outside of GoFundMe.

I will keep everyone updated as this campaign unfolds.




Big Love,

John Van Rooy

P.s. A good background on the Syrian Conflict:

Quick Facts on Syria Crisis

P.p.s We have added a 3rd family to this campaign-- Asad, who is 9 years old and also deaf, will hopefully be able to attend the FAID school with Warda. They will be the first refugee children at FAID.


**Thanks to documentary photographer and travel companion, Brian Rodgers, for permission to use his photographs and video.  

See his powerful work from the refugee camps in Lebanon here:
  brianrodgersphotographics