MEET LEILA

“I used to be a seamstress in Idleb, Syria, working and providing alone for my three children since the death of my husband in 2002. During particularly violent clashes in my city in November 2013, my home was attacked, set on fire, and my youngest daughter got killed in front of my eyes.

Despite my enormous grief, I had to flee with my remaining children with nothing else but the clothes we were wearing, first from one village to another within Syria and then to Lebanon.

This is where I heard about the food assistance given by the nearby church. Soon enough, although I thought Christians were “infidels”, I found myself overwhelmed by the church’s assistance and warm welcome in this time of great distress in my life. The pastor and other members have taught me real forgiveness. Now, I pray for the people who killed my daughter. My first grand son, who is due shortly, will be named after the church’s pastor.

I am happy and proud to be responsible of the income-generating sewing project of the church. I teach 10 refugee women how to sew while I try to find, with the help of the church and MERATH, ways of generating enough income for us to live in better conditions.”

Now, I pray for the people who killed my daughter…

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