Page 10 - PT Winter 2021-2022

MOTIVATED
BY FAITH
Sandie Shirley

The call to rebuild

Syria’s ruins

tay-at-home mum, Samara Levy’s fledgling Sacrifice and surrender
desire to help war-weary Syrians propelled Living with relative comfort, ease and luxury in comparison
Sher on a life-changing journey amid danger Samara has been moved to radically love her neighbour as Photo Credit: Samara Levy
and poverty. Jesus commands: ‘His words are very simple, and are black
and white, asking us to share what we have and to feed the
Founding a charity has opened the floodgates hungry, clothe the naked and care for the sick,’ says Samara
of provision for hundreds of thousands of people who has sacrificed social life and material pursuits to pour
and as an author, she tells of the heartaches time and energy into her calling.
and miracles that have accompanied her The former A&E nurse who gave up her full-on job
astonishing mission. to care for her two small boys says: ‘Two thirds of the
hospitals in Syria have been destroyed, damaged or are
It is believed more than 13.4 million in Syria require largely dysfunctional but our charity aims at rebuilding
humanitarian help; the UN has described it as ‘the worst hope and demonstrating God’s love and light.’
humanitarian crisis of our time.’ But Samara explains how a She continues: ‘We established four temporary field
small gesture of love and a mustard seed of faith became the hospitals at different times in the conflict, one of which
catalyst for a £2.6m campaign that began eight years ago. treated 3,000 patients a month. Another permanent medical
The charity, Samara’s Aid Appeal, helps those centre with specialist services is due to open soon while we
internally displaced, bereaved, traumatised, impoverished also work to our future goal for a large hospital with even
and homeless. Samara raises a motivational voice more advanced facilities.’
broadcasting their life-threatening plight: many have been The overall need in Syria is dire and costly. Samara has
forced to flee their homes to escape violence, terrorism, witnessed the shocking large-scale devastation and horrific
persecution and war while lack of essentials means they atrocities done to humanity during numerous visits. But as
struggle to survive. well as responding to raising funds for medical projects, the
Together with her volunteer team, Samara makes charity is engaged with farming projects and support and
numerous pleas for support. These have resulted in provision for orphans, disadvantaged children, and widows,
sending 110 containers and lorries to the Middle East empowering and equipping them to reach their potential in
including providing 11 ambulances to Syria and funding for life. ‘Too many poorer widows, bereaved by the Syrian war,
numerous growing initiatives including medical care and have been forced to sell their bodies to survive and feed
services for orphans and widows. their children,’ she explains. As the country copes with the
Last year they opened a centre which feeds, educates fall-out from the pandemic, people’s income and livelihoods
and provides a safe place for orphans and gives livelihood have been hit hard as food prices continue to rocket but
training to widows. It has been so successful they have built charity teams are helping to provide meals for the orphans,
a second that is soon ready to open. widows and the poor.

10 The Plain Truth Winter 2021-2022 Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk