Dignity For All Program: A Quick Glance (A Joint Newsletter Between Crescent School and Havergal College) The Journey of a Syrian Refugee
Millions of Syrians have fled from their country since the outbreak of the civil war. They have been forced to travel by water and by land with little money, few supplies, and uncertain paths ahead. Syrian refugees tend to first travel by foot to countries such as Turkey (a common choice), Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. Many of them then travel across the Mediterranean Sea to reach countries where refugees are welcomed, including Germany. However, prior to boarding a boat, they often have to wait on the coast for many days, living in wretched tents and crowded hostels. Furthermore, corrupt groups of human smugglers charge each refugee thousands of dollars for their boats, which is seldom affordable. Even if the refugees can pay for their passage, the conditions are dangerous and appalling: the overcrowded boats may often capsize, causing many people to drown. If the boats reach land, often along the coastlines of countries like Greece, Syrian refugees must pay high prices again to travel by buses to specific countries. At this point, many refugees must start their new life anew as strangers in foreign lands, often without their families, who were left behind due to the dangerous journeys. Although this description is just one example of the long route Syrian refugees may take, one thing is certain − their journeys have only just begun. -
Sabrina Mastroianni, Havergal College
The Painted Crisis
By Colleen Rose, Art Teacher at NipigonRed Rock District High School
With the refugee crisis in Syria becoming a global scale issue, people all around the world have lent a hand to aid in whatever way possible. Germany has been a large driving force in humanitarian aid, taking in over 220,000 of displaced people. Understandably, many of these migrants are children who have had to endure and survive through horrendous and violent situations. To prevent further damage to the minds of the youth, visual arts has become a means to cope with the trauma. Many pieces of art painted by Syrian children depict bombings and war torn buildings, the only reality known to the kids. A Kurdish art therapist by the name of Hassan Deveci owns an art studio in Cologne, Germany. He has been working tirelessly with Syrian children and their parents in helping them come to terms with their experiences. He notes that from his sessions, more often than not, the children depict images of helicopters, bombs and most heartbreakingly, sadness in the form of tears, dripping from the eyes of simple stick figures.
As innocent as the images may appear, deep beneath, they uncover the turmoil that was survived as well as the true, raw emotions that were felt at the time. In addition to the sessions assisting in the management of the death and brutality they have witnessed, it also serves to improve their German language skills. This allows the kids to make a more seamless transition from Syria to Germany without being alienated by their peers. With their German improved, they are able to communicate their feelings and open up to their parents and friends about their lives in Syria, a large step in the healing process.
October 30, 2015
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Dignity For All Program: A Quick Glance (A Joint Newsletter Between Crescent School and Havergal College) The Painted Crisis (Continued) Not only does art serve a medium for therapy, but also as an approach to communicate to the distressed that the world acknowledges their struggle without the need for words. With the challenge of language barriers passed, the visual arts relay a message to the government and Syria that change needs to happen. Now, students in Canada and the rest of the world use art to evoke a change, one that could end the crisis. The awareness raised through paintings and drawings of inspirational and powerful undertones has been crucial in bringing the attention that this crisis needs to major political figures. However, works on canvas and in clay have not been the only way artists have shown the world the true nature of this catastrophe. About a month ago, photographers released an image of a Syrian boy who laid face down on a beach, presumably dead. The effects of this image have spread like wildfire, with every television and radio station broadcasting the image and their interpretations on it. Regardless of what the news anchors, analysts or show hosts said about the image, the idea is clear. The events that are currently transpiring in Syria and on the borders of many other countries is one that spares none, not the innocence of children nor the children themselves. The profound effect that these overwhelming pieces of art have are a means to an end, an end to the fighting. -
Tyler Young, Crescent School
The Plight of Turkey and the Middle East The rapid outpouring of refugees from Syria has not gone unnoticed by most of the world. Syria’s neighbouring countries, which include Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, have all felt an increased strain on their resources since the beginning of the Syrian civil war. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Turkey and Lebanon host more than a million Syrian refugees each, followed by Jordan with 620,000, Iraq with more than 232,000, and Egypt providing sanctuary for approximately 136,000 Syrian refugees. The support that these countries are providing to Syrians is surely taxing on their resources; indeed, taking in these refugees has already begun to interfere with their economies and daily civilian life. However, Syria’s neighbouring countries continue to accept refugees, as they understand that these people have no other option and will do anything than to return to their war-torn, destitute country of origin. However, not all countries are supporting Syria to this degree. Many European countries have been hesitant to accept Syrian refugees, with Hungary even planning to build a wall to prevent migrants from entering its territory. Canada is not doing much better either. At the moment, Canada has only accepted 2,300 Syrian refugees into the country - a pitiful amount compared to other countries. As a democratic country with a stable economy and a strong justice system, we have the ability to support many more Syrian refugees than we currently have. Therefore, it is merely a question of whether or not we decide to help those desperate in need of a safe home, something Canadians all take for granted. -
Clare Morneau, Havergal College
Civilians Under Attack!
Whilst the Russian intervention in Syria has drawn criticism from NATO countries with regards to the specific targets being bombed, there is no denying the immediate collateral damage in the form of injured civilians. Graphic and heartbreaking images have surfaced of a three year-old child, Fadi, injured in a Russian strike just north of Homs, a city very close to Lebanon. The total civilian losses caused by the attack amount to 17 dead, including at least 3 children and 4 women, along with 72 wounded. According to a Facebook post by Rastan Media Center, Russian aircraft, “…focused raids on the western neighborhoods of the city. These raids led to the fall of a large number of civilians who were among the wounded and martyrs. Most of the casualties were experienced by children and women, including a child who did not exceed the three-years-old [in] very critical condition.” Furthermore, the Humans Rights Watch is conducting inquiries about both the Homs attack and another airstrike on the town of Za`faraneh, calling for the Russians to investigate and publish findings on the credibile allegations of the violation of the laws of war. The laws of war require that direct attacks only be directed towards combatants, which should be distinguished at all times from civilians. Additionally, all parties in the conflict must take every precaution to minimize and ultimately avoid civlian casualties. Nadim Houry, Deputy Middle East Director of the Humans Right Watch said, “Reports of civilian casualties in Russia’s first strikes raise concerns that it is not taking sufficient precautions to avoid civilian casualties in Syria. After enduring so much, the last thing Syrians need would be more indiscriminate attacks from the air.” -
Nathan Li, Crescent School
October 30, 2015
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Dignity For All Program: A Quick Glance (A Joint Newsletter Between Crescent School and Havergal College) OUR FUNDRAISING PROGRESS Dignity For All program has officially begun its fundraising efforts, and the program is off to a strong start. Currently, Dignity For All has procured over $2,442.50, which translates to 12.2% of our fundraising goal of $20,000. We would like to thank our partners Crescent School and Havergal College for piloting and spearheading fundraising efforts this month. Crescent School organized a casual dress day on Friday, October 23, 2015 to raise funds, and Havergal College raised over $900 at their community event, Celebration Saturday, on Saturday, October 3, 2015.
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80% On behalf of the Dignity For All program, we would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to everyone involved. -
Joseph Sumabat, Chief Financial Officer
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OUR PARTNERS 50%
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30% If you are interested in partnering with us, please do not hesitate to contact any member of our fundraising team for more details: Joseph Sumabat Jack Williamson Harrison Hui Ryan Boyd
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josephsumabat@crescentschool.org jackwilliamson@crescentschool.org harrisonhui@crescentschool.org ryanboyd@crescentschool.org
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October 30, 2015
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Dignity For All Program: A Quick Glance (A Joint Newsletter Between Crescent School and Havergal College) What is the Dignity For All Program? The Dignity For All program, or D4A for short, is a joint venture between Crescent School and Havergal College, established in response to the crisis in Syria, with the aim to raise awareness and provide assistance where possible. Crescent School recently hosted Ms. Tara Sutton on October 19, 2015, as a guest speaker to share her insight of similar crises. Ms. Sutton, a Canadian journalist and filmmaker whose work in conflict zones has received many awards, highlighted the struggles and heroism of people who find themselves in similar situation to the Syrian refugees. Her speech was insightful and allowed for better understanding of the situation unfolding in Syria. D4A has established two strategic goals: 1. Financial support 2. Social and recreational support The fundraising done at both Havergal College during Celebration Saturday and Crescent School during the October 23 casual dress day has allowed for the D4A fund to leap to a good start. With five more casual dress days planned at Crescent School and other fundraising initiatives in the works at Havergal College, we hope that we will be able to provide financial support to the crisis. We gladly welcome any support to our fund, where all proceeds will be given to assist in family-sponsorships of refugees. D4A is also currently investigating to provide social and recreational support for recently-arrived sponsored families. The objective is to provide a community environment for families to engage in sports (i.e. soccer, basketball), other recreational activities (i.e. movie time, card games) as well as an environment for them to network with other like-minded people. D4A will be hoping for a strong community base in the future, when more details arrive, to support this initiative. We hope that this newsletter will serve a helpful reminder of the ongoing development in Syria, and an outlet to update the community of our progress.. We would like to thank you very much for your support thus far, and hope that you will continue to support our response to the Syrian crisis. -
Ronald Chow, Student Chair
Dignity For All Program Ronald Chow, Student Chair Mr. Mehernosh Pestonji, (Crescent School) Faculty Chair Mr. Gordon Grisé, (Havergal College) Faculty Chair Tyler Mark, Student Co-Chair Editorial Board of “Dignity For All Program: A Quick Glance” William Gill, Editor-In-Chief Spencer Dale, Associate Editor
Selina Chow, Editor-In-Chief Angelina Pan, Associate Editor
Our Fundraising Team Joseph Sumabat, Chief Financial Officer Jack Williamson, Financial Planner Harrison Hui, Financial Planner Ryan Boyd, Financial Planner
October 30, 2015
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