Syrian retired teachers help people in need

Record ID: 1723102

  • Title: Syrian retired teachers help people in need
  • Date: 3rd May 2023
  • Summary: JARAMANA, SYRIA (APRIL 30, 2023) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXECUTIVE MANAGER OF THE SOCIAL CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION IN JARAMANA, GHAZALEH JARAMANI, AND RETIRED TEACHERS AT WORK IN THE CENTRE VARIOUS OF BENEFICIARIES WAITING, REGISTERING, AND RECEIVING AID VARIOUS OF BENEFICIARIES LOOKING THROUGH CLOTHES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EXECUTIVE MANAGER OF THE SOCIAL CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION I
  • Embargoed: 17th May 2023 10:28
  • Keywords: Syria charity education teachers
  • Location: JARAMANA, SYRIA
  • City: JARAMANA, SYRIA
  • Country: Syria
  • Topics: Living/Lifestyle,Middle East,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA001927402052023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Syrian retired teacher Ghazaleh Jaramani spends her days helping people in need at the association she founded with her friends some 20 years ago.
    With the severe economic situation gripping the country, the 72-year-old said donations to their association decreased while people in need increased by some 40-50 percent.
    An economic crisis in Syria has been triggered by years of conflict, western sanctions, a currency squeeze in part due to a financial meltdown in neighbouring Lebanon, and the government's loss of its northeastern oil-producing territories.
    The resulting collapse of the pound has driven up the price of goods and aggravated hardship as Syrians struggle to buy food, electricity, and other basic items.
    "Of course, (the donations) decreased but we do not blame anyone because generosity is related to what people own... We are making up for this with our activities," Jaramani said. 
    The association, called the "Social Charitable Association in Jaramana", provides private lessons for high school students in need, food for beneficiaries, and job opportunities for those who need to work.
    The charity was initiated by fourteen teachers who retired in 2003. They first started by just helping students who can't afford private lessons - but then expanded to providing for people in need with money, clothes, food, and jobs. 
    One of their project, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is a sewing atelier in which they employ some of their beneficiaries who make clothes that are then sold to traders and shops.
    The income goes to support the association and pay for those working in the atelier and other employees.
    Another initiative of the association is to provide medical advice and medications through doctors they partnered with.
    "There are people we did not see before coming to the association, their situation was good and some used to support the association. Now, it is different - many come here believing the association can help them," Jaramani said about new faces.
    (Production: Firas Makdesi, Kinda Makieh)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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