Awareness Foundation in Action
Read about how your support is helping us to transform lives
In the Middle East.
Discover the Gospel in its Cultural Context
Awareness Foundation founder and Executive Director the Rev’d Dr h.c. Nadim Nassar’s latest book is a timely reminder that the peace brought by Jesus happened in a specific place – a Middle East that is now torn by conflict, fractured communities and suffering.
At the book’s official launch at St Andrew by the Wardrobe church in the City of London, special guest Bishop Michael Marshall spoke of the book’s importance in highlighting the Universal Christ, and the man Jesus who lived within a very specific culture.
It both places the Gospels in that context, and also points to the peace revealed in Christ that can break the cycles of violence and hatred in the Middle East and point us on a path to reconciliation, healing and restorative justice.
In collaboration with Foundation Trustee Carina Dingemans, Fr Nadim has drawn on his own Syrian heritage and understanding of Middle Eastern Culture, and his deep theological knowledge to produce an important commentary on a region where faiths, cultures and histories can collide, but where lasting peace is possible.
If you would like to purchase a copy of The Middle Eastern Jesus you can do so from Canterbury Press.
A portion of all sales will support the peace through education mission of Awareness Foundation.
Confronting Secularism and Empowering Faith in Syria
As conflict rages once more across the Middle East, our Executive Director met an inspiring group of young people in Aleppo, putting faith at the heart of positive transformation.
Fr Nadim co-hosted the seminar ‘Christianity and Secularisation’ with Dr. Haroutune Selimian, President of the Armenian Evangelical Community of Syria, attended by young men and women from a range of denominations.
The group discussed the challenges of grappling with freedom in the face of change and chaos, and their place in an age of social media and digital culture.
In those contexts, they looked at how Christ revealed God’s presence in everyday life and how the Kingdom of God can be a beacon of hope and positive transformation in society.
Awareness Foundation Middle East Coordinator, Elza Nasra, said, ‘The participants split into groups, and at the end they presented their reflections, expressing a sincere desire to renew their Christian lives, and live their faith with clarity, responsibility and hopeful influence.’
The Passing of a Beautiful Light at Awareness Foundation
It is with deep sadness that everyone at Awareness Foundation say goodbye to our dear friend Ditta Deeb.
Ditta was a graduate of our Ambassadors for Peace programme and became a generous, joyful and invaluable volunteer for our Little Heroes programme, assisting our Middle East Coordinator Elza in transforming children’s lives in Syria.
Ditta will remain in our hearts and minds and continue to be an inspiration for both the potential of the Ambassadors programme and for what genuine goodness looks like.
Please keep Ditta, along with her family and friends in your prayers.
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Christmas Cheer for Disadvantaged Youngsters
After more than a decade of conflict and insecurity, children in Syria face a catastrophic humanitarian crisis and often lack even basic needs.
Poverty, trauma, health issues, and on-going threats are made worse by an educational crisis.
But, thanks to our friends and supporters, we have been able to give gift bags to around 1,000 vulnerable youngsters, packed with stationary and other crucial educational items, along with other essentials, such as water bottles.
The gift bags, which are part of our Pen & Paper campaign, have reached children in cities and rural areas of Syria.
Our Middle East Coordinator, Elza Nasra, who managed the campaign on the ground, said, ‘We wish all the children in need of Syria, and around the world, a merry Christmas, filled with the joy and hope of the Heavenly Child, who is the Light of the World.
Our special thanks goes to the amazng people of Trinity Wall Street Church in New York for their most generous contribution to the campaign.
Is There Light for the Young People of Syria?
After months of chaos and confusion in Syria, our Director for the Middle East, Huda Nassar, made the trek to the coastal town of Latakia to discover how young people are coping, and their views on the future.
Among 30 participants were many who’d graduated our Ambassadors for Peace programme which provides young adults with the skills and sense of citizenship that promote reconciliation and celebrate diversity.
They were asked about the pros and cons of staying in Syria or leaving for the possibility of a better life, how the future looks amid so much uncertainty, and the role of education in the current reality. What freedom and security look like was also a topic of discussion, along with their hopes for the future, and how their values stand up to the pressures of life in the region.
Huda said, ‘many young people carry pain with them, and this was an opportunity to express themselves and feel they are not alone. We hope the discussions inspired small initiatives, such as youth support groups and student activities. It was also aimed at encouraging understanding and deeper conversations about everyday life in Syria.’
Our deep thanks go to the Rev’d Salam Hanna for hosting the event.
Watch this space as we bring together all the reactions and feedback from our young people.
A Royal Celebration of Little Heroes
With our annual Gala dinner this year marking the 10th anniversary of our Little Heroes programme, it was an occasion to reflect on what has been achieved, plan for what more needs to be done, and say thank you to those who have helped us along the way.
A highlight of the dinner, at London’s Lansdowne Club and in the presence of our royal patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, was a video by graduates of Little Heroes, who’ve now joined our Ambassadors for Peace.
Lila from Latakia spoke movingly of the impact of Little Heroes had on her life. She said, ‘Little Heroes gave every child a place to speak and express themselves, to discover and learn more about ourselves – and to believe in ourselves. I learned how my voice could reach and influence others’
Little Heroes is designed for youngsters aged 6-12, to help rebuild childhoods turned upside down by conflict and social collapse. Many Little Heroes join our Ambassadors for Peace programme, aimed at young adults.
Bashar, also from Latakia, said, ‘We have become Ambassadors for Peace. My goal, and the goal of the group is to try to spread the culture of peace in this region, a region where the culture of peace is often very absent.’
And Lila added, ‘Peace is not just an ordinary word. Peace is a way to know how to live properly. I also learned how dialogue and kind words can really make a difference.’
HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, whose support has been invaluable, spoke of her pride at being Awareness Foundation’s patron. And our Middle East Coordinator Elza Nasra, joined via video link from Syria, and spoke powerfully of the challenges facing people in the region.
Rochester Cathedral, represented by the Dean, the Very Rev’d Dr Philip Hesketh and Canon Chancellor the Rev’d Gordon Giles, was presented with the Awareness Award for its support of the Foundation’s work, along with being named as an honorary Awareness Ambassadors for Peace as a recognition of its own mission to build peace..
United Christian Broadcasters CEO, David L’Herroux was given the Awareness Award for his leadership of the UCB, as well as his help and guidance in furthering the Foundation’s mission.
Our Chairman, Tom Roberts outlined the longer-term strategic plan for the Foundation. He also paid tribute to outgoing Chairman James Appleyard, who received the Foundation’s Gold Cross badge in gratitude for his years of leadership, commitment and support.
Executive Director, the Rev’d Nadim Nassar, said, ‘We are so grateful for all those friends who came to the dinner to support our mission. They are helping us show how positive change is possible in the Middle East. It’s a mission that is needed now more than ever.’
A last word can go to another Little Heroes graduate, Amira, who said, ‘Thank you for making us feel, appreciate and believe that we are the makers of change from our childhood to our adulthood. And that we will be peace ambassadors in the future.’
Hope Comes to Homs and Latakia
We’re excited to announce that we’ve trained a new group of Leaders for Little Heroes, ahead of launching new programmes in Latakia and Homs in the new year.
A key part of Middle East Director Huda Nassar’s recent visit to Syria was to help the new leaders hone skills for the programme, aimed at rebuilding shattered childhoods amidst the conflict and collapse of Syria. The leaders were drawn from across different denominations and hosted by the Rev’d Adon Naaman from the National Evangelical Church of Latakia.
Huda said, ‘The vision we gave to the Leaders is to build a strong educational and spiritual foundation for the youngsters, planting the seeds of love and hope.’ They were instructed in a range of skills including lesson planning, activities and understanding children’s individual needs.
The programmes will be delivered to up to 400 children, all of whom have had their lives turned upside down by the conflicts and uncertainty that plague their homeland. The initial sessions will be followed up with on-going support that aims to make a lasting positive impact on these young lives.
Our Ambassadors Speak Out for Peace
Awareness Foundation is not a political organisation. Its role is to train and educate children, young people and women to transform their lives, help transform their wider communities and create environments of peace and understanding.
Which is why, as the momentous events unfolded in Syria with the overthrow of the Assad regime, the Foundation was in touch with a group of our Ambassadors for Peace, enabling them to stay in contact with, and support, each other.
It was a time when many of the skills they had learned in the Ambassadors for Peace programme came into play. It helped them to calm those around them and begin to make plans as to how to respond.
Subsequently, the group created 10 points they would like to see included in any future constitution, based on civil rights, the rule of law and equality, and they have liaised with other groups in Syria.
In a time of uncertainty, our Ambassadors are voices of peace, understanding and reconciliation.
STEPPING OUT FOR PEACE I
Our heartfelt thanks go to intrepid pilgrim John Ager, for his wonderful effort in walking the Portuguese Camino to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in support of the Little Heroes programme.
Having previously hiked from Lisbon to Porto, John has just completed the final stretch from Porto to Santiago, covering around 280km – with plenty of hills on the way.
John is a long-time friend and supporter of Awareness Foundation, and he was determined to raise the money that would go directly to helping rebuild childhoods in Syria.
Santiago is a place of pilgrimage as the final resting place of the Apostle, St James
It is the perfect destination for a pilgrimage devoted to the cause of building peace and the care of children who have suffered the appalling effects of conflict and social collapse. You can donate to John’s JustGiving Page from the link below. And, if you want help with ideas of how to support Awareness Foundation’s work, get in touch through the contact details below..
STEPPING OUT FOR PEACE II
The tranquil Surrey countryside may be a long way from the torments of the Middle East, but the hope for peace and reconciliation in the region echoed in every step of our pilgrimage from Godalming to Guildford Cathedral.
A hardy group of the Foundation’s friends and supporters joined us for the 11-mile trek along the River Wey, guided by the wonderful Richard Smart, for the latest of our annual Peace Walks.
It was an opportunity for prayer and reflection, and the very peace that surrounded us was a constant reminder of those who are not so lucky.
We were welcomed at the Cathedral by Canon Neil Roberts, who led us in evening prayer.
Deepest thanks to all who walked, and to everyone who donated. You can still donate, with every penny going towards our Ambassadors for Peace programme.
Women Do it for Themselves in Homs
It was wonderful to see around 60 women from all backgrounds and cultures in Homs join our programme aimed at supporting their economic independence.
Enterprising Women is designed for women who’ve paid a huge price for Middle Eastern conflict and instability, imparting the skills and confidence to thrive in business, to
After launching in Latakia, we were able to take the programme to Homs, under the title Super Women, in partnership with Junior Chamber International (JCI), who gave it the Project of the Year award.
The finale of the 50-hour programme was a conference featuring their work, attended by established women in business in the region.
A Year to Remember – Check Out Our Annual Report
Awareness Foundation is always working towards a future where need, hunger, violence, displacement and injustice have been overcome.
But, to know where we’re going, we always keep in sight where we have been. Our annual report is a moment to take stock and reflect on what has been achieved through the help and support of so many amazing and generous people.
From training new peacemakers to supporting disadvantaged women, and taking the messages of peace and reconciliation to North America, download our annual report see what was achieved in 2024.