As the battle for Mosul rages between ISIS and coalition forces, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, severely injured, or traumatized by the atrocities of war.
It is the deadliest urban battle since World War II, scarring families physically and emotionally. Children have seen more violence and terror in just three years under ISIS than anyone should see in a lifetime.
Samaritan’s Purse is working to heal both the physical and spiritual wounds of war. While the former are obvious, the latter can be just as terrible.
To treat the physical wounds, Samaritan’s Purse is operating an emergency field hospital just outside of Mosul. Medical staff have treated more than 1,400 victims of war and performed 745 major surgeries since its opening in January. More than 40 percent of these patients are women and children injured in a war they were not fighting in. Those who escaped with their lives lost their innocence.
Samaritan’s Purse teams are working in three refugee camps outside of Mosul to restore hope and demonstrate the love of God. One way we are addressing the invisible wounds of war is through character classes for children ages 6-11.
This child-friendly program gives kids the opportunity to play games, have fun, and laugh again—all while learning about love, joy, peace, patience, and other Biblical traits.
Sanaa,* who escaped west Mosul with five children, worries about their wellbeing. ISIS fighters forced her children, ages 2-11, to stand outside on the street and watch a bomb detonate inside their home. Sanaa knows it could have been worse; many of their neighbors died in similar attacks. Nevertheless, Sanaa’s children are haunted with the memories of war.
In another tent, Amira,* an 11-year-old girl, listened as her mom recounted their escape from Mosul. When asked what she remembered from that day, Amira buried her face in her mother’s shoulder, unable to explain the horror of life under ISIS.
“These children have been robbed of their childhood,” said Jessica Langevin, Child-Friendly Spaces Program Coordinator in Iraq. “Nothing in the camps resembles a normal childhood—everything is rationed, they don’t attend a regular school, and their parents have also experienced trauma, which makes it hard for them to be caregivers.”
Jessica designed the Child-Friendly Spaces program to meet an overwhelming need within the camps. Samaritan’s Purse identified 100 of the most vulnerable children between three camps, and is engaging them in weekly classes.
“The classes may seem simple, but the idea is to give these children two hours a week of an alternate world—a world where they can be children again,” Jessica said. “We are sowing seeds, and giving these children a chance to dream about their future.”
During each class, participants will learn about a key character trait, such as love, kindness, and patience—character traits that ISIS has fought to eliminate over the past three years.
On opening day of the program, 20 children tentatively kicked their shoes off at the entrance to the tent and were greeted with balloons, streamers, and music. Slowly, their guarded faces transformed into smiles as they played games like “Simon Says” and “Duck, Duck, Goose.”
When it was time for their first lesson, they were engaged and eager to answer the teacher’s questions. After 10 weeks, a graduation ceremony will mark their accomplishments, and their parents will be invited to attend the celebration.
There are five classes, each comprised of twenty children, that meet once a week. The small class size allow the teachers to truly invest in their students. They make a point to know each of the children by name, visit their tents, understand their struggles, and meet their family.
“My hope is that this will minister to the whole family,” Jessica said. “When the parents see their children receiving love, I hope they feel it too.”
Sura, originally from Baghdad, is one of the character class teachers. Sura recognizes that children are the future of her country, which is why she is excited to be a part of the child-friendly program.
“It gives them a new beginning,” Sura said. “We are teaching them to dream, look to the future, respect each other, and live in peace.”
Samaritan’s Purse is committed to investing in these student’s lives and reminding them that there is still hope. Children are resilient, and God’s love is greater than the tragedy they have witnessed.
*Names changed for security.
Help families in the Middle East who have been displaced as a result of violent conflict and religious persecution receive the physical and spiritual aid they so desperately need to cope with the resulting poverty and trauma.