As the war in Syria enters its seventh year, many of us feel helpless. We hear stories about children such as Fares, a 6-year-old from Syria who has never seen a classroom in his life, and we wish there was something we could do.
“My name is Fares. I do not know how to read or write. I only know how to draw the sky, the sea and the sun.”
But we must not give up hope. Together, we can take action. Together, the Messengers of Humanity can show their solidarity with the Syrian people.
In the following weeks, we will send you powerful actions that you can take to make a difference for the people trapped in Syria’s conflict and for the people who had to flee and leave everything behind.
Remember, you are not alone! The UN and our partners in Syria are delivering aid to millions of civilians, trying their best to reach as many people as possible. And on 4 and 5 May, world leaders will come together in Brussels to discuss the future of Syria and to find a lasting political resolution.
1. Make sure that Syria is not forgotten – share on social media
UNICEF released this moving video of 10-year-old Ansam, a blind girl who was displaced by the violence in Syria. Her song is a message of hope to the world. Children such as Ansam are not giving up and neither should we. Please share!
Click here to tweet: Do you wish there was something you could do to help #Syria? Check out these 4 actions that you can take now http://bit.ly/4thingsyoucando
2. Encourage universities to offer scholarships for refugees
For refugee students, not being able to continue their studies is devastating. Help them by writing an e-mail or a letter to your own university or a college near you and ask them to support a refugee. You can also e-mail major universities in the USA, asking them to admit more refugees. Here is a handy template.
3. Support internally displaced people in Syria
We hear a lot about refugees who seek safety outside Syria, but more than six million Syrians are displaced within their own country. They are often forced to flee at very short notice and have to leave everything behind. Many of them find refuge with host families, but others have to stay in overcrowded shelters. As the conflict continues, they are struggling to find food and water and are in dire need of humanitarian aid. If you want to help internally displaced people in Syria, you can donate to the UN’s humanitarian fund in Syria. Your donation will provide emergency food, water, shelter, medicine and other life-saving assistance to those who need it most.
4. Help refugees to integrate into a new culture
Refugees often feel lonely and isolated when they try to restart their life in a new country. Could you see yourself mentoring a refugee family? Imagine teaching the kids your language or helping the parents figure out the public transport system. Even small gestures of friendship can mean a great deal! A quick Google search can show you which groups and local non-profits are active in your area and looking for volunteers.
That’s it for today! Stay tuned, because over the following weeks and months we’ll share more actions that you can take to make a difference.
Red Fox by A. Komarov, Original vintage Soviet art print 1976 Listed on Etsy: http://ift.tt/2ogGhQY
maybe it’s for the best
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My piece for the upcoming Beauty and the Beast show at Gallery Nucleus. Check it out this Saturday(~April 2) if you’re around LA!
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, April 16, 1909
Photographer Ann Sophie Lindström spent several months documenting a group of horsemen in North Philadelphia who have been countering crime through their love for horses. For more riveting photos of the equestrians of North Philly, here’s this week’s Spotlight essay from Emily Anne Epstein.
A stallion named Dusty rears up as Jamil Prattis, 25, leads him to the lot across from the Fletcher Street Stables, October 19, 2013. Jamil became involved with the horses when he was 12 years old, after he saw a group of urban cowboys riding through the streets of North Philadelphia. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
Jamil Prattis sits in front of his house on French Street, May 23, 2014. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
Stephfon Darnell Tolbert, 31, teases a pony named Harlem, making him rear up, October 2, 2013. Harlem is known for being aggressive when someone gets too close. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
A horse is tied up in front of a vacant lot on Fletcher Street while horsemen clean the stalls, October 6, 2016. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
Stable manager Edward E. Ward cuddles a horse named Maverick, September 29, 2013. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
Tymeir Sanders, 17, stops by a friend’s house on West Harold Street while out on a ride with Rosie, June 1, 2014. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
Stephfon Darnell Tolbert, 24, prepares feed for the horses, October 16, 2016. The horsemen have tack rooms where they keep supplies, feed, and hay. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
Donnell Glenn takes Cash out for an evening walk, October 9, 2013. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
Stevie Spann, 50, checks on the horses before closing the stable for the evening, August 22, 2014. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
Jamil Prattis, Stevie Spann, and Nate Benson sit inside a horse trailer to escape the sun and smoke, May 25, 2014. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
There is no indoor arena at the Fletcher Stable, so the horsemen like use the vacant lot across the street to train their animals, October 6, 2013. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
Romere Burch,13, rides bareback on a stallion named Ace N da Whole on Glennwood Avenue, October 3, 2013. (Ann Sophie Lindström)
He drinks and he smokes to forget about me, but at the end of the night, when he’s absolutely wasted and faded, he’s crying over me into another girl’s arms. He is yet again reminded that nothing could take away how much it hurt to lose me. No substance, no drug, nothing. I will always live within his mind and within his heart. It is not a choice. He will have to live with the pain that is the loss of something so great, the best he’ll ever have.
v.m (via writingboutyou)
they are so fired
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