Helsinki, January 15, 2025
Photo: independent.co.uk
The Philanthropy Center, an international social and missionary organization of the Finnish Orthodox Church, has been operating a crucial humanitarian project in Damascus, Syria, focusing on supporting women affected by the ongoing civil war. The project, which began in 2021, has recently secured funding through 2028, primarily supported by Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ development cooperation funds.
Additionally, a Christmas fundraiser managed to raise more than $30,000 in support of the program, reports the Finnish Church.
In collaboration with the Antiochian Patriarchate, the program provides comprehensive support to women who have experienced violence, offering both psychological assistance and practical help for rebuilding their lives. The impact has been significant—in 2024 alone, the project reached over 1,000 women through various support programs.
A particularly notable aspect of the initiative is its medical component: Last year, 54 women received necessary surgical procedures to address injuries resulting from violence, including treatments for broken noses and bladder injuries.
The project operates on multiple levels, combining psychological support through group and individual therapy with practical skills training. Women participants receive vocational training in professions such as sewing, hairdressing, cosmetics, and crafts—all chosen specifically because they can be practiced from home, accommodating cultural considerations and childcare needs. Upon completion, graduates receive both certification and the necessary tools to start their own home-based businesses.
This work has become increasingly critical as Syria’s Christian population has dramatically decreased from 1.5 million to approximately 300,000 during the 14 years of civil war. The Philanthropy Center operates under the “Good Samaritan” model, providing assistance to all in need regardless of gender, race, or religious belief, while maintaining an open Christian presence in public spaces.
Despite recent political upheaval and temporary security-related pauses, the project has maintained its operations, particularly in the Damascus and Hama regions. The Hama area was specifically chosen for expansion due to the additional vulnerabilities created by the 2023 earthquake. The project’s effectiveness is carefully monitored through participant interviews before and after program completion, with annual on-site inspections by Philanthropy Center staff ensuring proper implementation and resource allocation.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
