Nonprofit visits Arkansas schoolchildren to promote awareness of Syria earthquake victims

Little Rock, Arkansas – With the assistance of nearby students, a nonprofit group with members in Arkansas is still working to give hope to people in Syria six months after terrible earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria.

The earthquakes in Turkey and Syria in February claimed hundreds of lives and left countless others injured. Members from Arkansas have traveled to Syria as part of the organization Syrian Emergency Task Force to assist those in need.

Syrians still need hope, according to Natalie Larrison, Director of Humanitarian Programs.

“Right now, more than ever, the people inside Syria need the hope of people around the world to care,” Larrison said.

Larrison, who was one of the few Arkansans to fly to Syria, stated that even while schools and local companies have shown a great deal of support, they still want certain items for further aid.

“We need financial support so we can support our programs on the ground like our women’s center,” Larrison said.

She stated that several members of the group are in central Arkansas this week as part of the organization’s call to action, visiting different colleges and universities throughout the state to spread the word about the situation in Syria with the people impacted by the war and earthquake.

A number of members visited Pulaski Academy on Wednesday to assist in educating children about the consequences of the conflict in Syria. Public speaker Omar Alshogre, a Syrian, talked about how the war had an impact on his high school experience.

“I was arrested during my time in high school. I was tortured for the first time in high school. and my personality was formed during my time in high school,” Alshogre recalled.

He continues by saying that he was smuggled to safety after three years of unfair imprisonment and that he now wants to assist pupils in realizing the universality of human ideals.

“There is empathy that is needed and that their actions are necessary,” Alshogre said.

According to Larrison, numerous students from other schools, including Pulaski Academy, have contributed materials since the disaster.

“It’s amazing what Arkansans have done to write letters of hope to raise awareness in their communities,” Larrison said.

Senior Pulaski Academy student Galen Juss said he is the president of the school’s Amnesty Club and has been able to get in touch with the charity organization for assistance thanks to their teacher.

“Listening to their speeches is really important to get people more connected,” Juss said.

After hearing the speeches, club members Fatima Majid and Eshall Nadeem declared they wanted to lend a hand and bring about change.

“I think incorporating the school as a whole and maybe doing some fundraising through that,” Majid said.

“These projects have made me want to work even harder,” Nadeem said.