SYRIA
Why Syria?
More than a decade of civil war has devastated Syria, killing hundreds of thousands, uprooting millions and leaving an entire generation of children carrying the invisible wounds of war, conflict and forced displacement. In a country of approximately 23 million people before the war, more than 6 million Syrians became internally displaced, while nearly 7 million more sought refuge abroad, particularly in neighbouring Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan where many faced discrimination, poverty and barriers to education and employment. Years of interrupted schooling, displacement, loss and chronic insecurity have made bespoke mental health and psychosocial support essential for displaced families and those returning home. In Zabadani, a city outside Damascus that endured years of siege, ART OF HOPE has established its first centre, combining mental health support with educational programming for children in addition to bespoke psychosocial programs for mothers and caregivers. In Douma, another city devastated by siege and chemical weapons attacks, our programmes support women and mothers through psychological care, self-care, financial literacy and economic empowerment. Majority of these women participating in these programmes have lost their husbands, and some have also lost their sons - carrying profound grief while struggling to rebuild their lives. We proudly carry our work in Syria as a registered NGO with a stellar team of qualified teachers, social workers and psychologists.
Our Program Supports:
ART OF HOPE is proudly a registered NGO in Syria and works with an expert team of caregivers in Zabadani, Duma, Eastern Ghouta
Program Development
At ART OF HOPE, we strive to use our voice and global network to advocate for the emotional and psychological well-being of refugees as we believe that the invisible wounds of war, displacement and loss should not be forgotten.
Advocacy & Awareness
At ART OF HOPE, we work closely with our local partners in the field to develop the most effective programming for those who serve. We spend weeks, sometimes months studying the crisis at hand, examining the best strategies, and designing tangible, sustainable, and scalable programming that can deliver effective change.
Capacity Building
At ART OF HOPE we strive to create programming that's complimentary and sensitive to the socio-cultural nuances of the communities served while also empowering for our local partners and caregivers. In addition, we believe that mental well-being is for all - therefore, we take pride in providing support for our therapists and caregivers in addition to our beneficiaries by ways of unique and personally curated mindfulness programming.
Bespoke Individual and Group Psychosocial Support:
ART OF HOPE works with experienced local facilitators, artists and educators to provide bespoke, trauma-informed psychosocial support for children, mothers and caregivers affected by conflict and displacement. Through individual and group sessions, storytelling, art, drama, movement and creative expression, participants are encouraged to recognise and process difficult emotions, develop coping skills and rebuild confidence. Our structured children's emotional well-being programme incorporates breathing exercises, mindfulness, interactive games and guided reflection to help children navigate fear, grief, anxiety and uncertainty. By creating safe and supportive spaces, we help restore a sense of belonging, emotional stability and hope.
Educational and Academic Support Programmes
After more than a decade of interrupted education, ART OF HOPE provides academic support in literature, science, mathematics, English and physics, alongside sports and recreational activities. Our programmes help children recover lost learning, strengthen academic skills and rebuild the confidence needed to return to formal education. Combining education with psychosocial support is central to our approach, recognising that trauma can profoundly affect concentration, memory, motivation and a child's ability to learn. Sports and group activities further encourage teamwork, emotional regulation, social integration and a renewed sense of normalcy. Our aim is not simply to help children return to the classroom, but to give them the emotional and academic foundations to thrive.
Bespoke Programmes for Mothers and Caregivers
In Douma and Zabadani ART OF HOPE supports mothers and caregivers who have endured years of conflict, displacement and devastating personal loss through bespoke programmes combining individual and group mental health support with selfcare, artisan workshops, financial literacy and economic empowerment. Through creative activities and facilitated discussions, women are given a safe space to process grief, share their experiences and rebuild confidence. Artisan workshops provide opportunities to develop practical skills, while financial literacy helps participants work toward greater independence and economic security. By supporting mothers and caregivers, we also strengthen the emotional well-being and resilience of the children and families who depend on them.
