Syria: One million children sign appeal for peace

More than one million children in Syria have been signing a petition calling for peace as part of a fresh appeal to political leaders to end the violence engulfing the country. At least 2,000 schools from many parts of Syria are taking part in the initiative in which youngsters have been drawing pictures and writing messages for the attention of the United Nations in Geneva and the European Union in Brussels.

The Peace for Children scheme, organised with help from Aid to the Church in Need, involves children of all ages describing in words and pictures the impact of the five-year conflict for them and their loved ones.

The initiative was developed by the charity in response to reports that at least 2.1 million Syrian children are unable to attend school - with many education buildings evacuated or damaged because of the conflict.

Meantime, the Oxford Research Group reports that more than 11,500 children died in the first two years of the conflict alone.

Aid to the Church in Need project partners including Aleppo-based Sister Annie Demerjian have stressed the number of traumatised children, with many experiencing violence, sexual exploitation, abduction and the loss of loved ones.

This week, children of all denominations in the capital, Damascus, as well as in Homs, Yabroud, Marmarita as well as Aleppo have been taking part in the Peace for Children initiative with songs, dances, drama and prayer, all calling for peace. The youngsters - who include many Muslims - have been writing messages to the global community on white balloons, slogans such as "We want peace", "Give us our childhood", "We don't want any more war" and "We want to go to school".

Children have been invited to tell their own personal story of suffering. Sister Annie told ACN: "When a child talks about losing his father, for example, we will follow it up by praying for all children who have lost parents or siblings."

Speaking from Damascus, she said: "The response of the young people to the Prayer for Children initiative has been amazing and we are working hard to get their messages and drawings packaged up so they can go out to those in Europe who can help us."

Since the conflict in Syria began in March 2011, ACN has provided food, clean water, heating (oil and electricity), clothes, medicine and shelter for victims irrespective of their religion.

The charity has prioritised help for children by, for example, providing baby food. ACN has provided £11.4 million (€13 million) in emergency aid for Syria since 2011.

* A group of walkers, including Jo Siedlecka from ICN completed a 200K walk across Catalonia, in the steps of St Ignatius Loyola this week, to raise funds for the work of ACN and JRS with Syrian refugees. If you'd like to give a donation please see: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Farm-Street-Camino-Walkers