FMSI has been supporting the community of Marist Brothers in Aleppo since July 2012 when the city was put under siege. At the time of the first bombings and raids on the city, the Brothers decided to stay and organized a group of 30 volunteers (young people and adults called “Blue Marists” because of the t-shirt that distinguished them) to assist more than 2000 displaced people in 4 schools provided by the city authorities close to them. They provide assistance with their basic needs, school support and training to bring hope and create a climate of normality for many children and young people even in the midst of the conflict.

With regard to humanitarian aid, the Blue Marist have provided assistance to thousands of displaced families through the distribution of food, hygiene products, clothes and shoes. They supported the medical care for the people who could not be assisted in the overcrowded hospitals. In socio educational activities, programs were organized for the school support children and young people, adult literacy courses, vocational training, life skills courses, social promotion activities, training for vulnerable women, and language courses.

Togetherness US is a nonprofit charitable organization established in 2021 with the mission of helping Syrians navigate the hardships of an ongoing 12-year war and the recent Earthquake which added more hardship to the Syrian people. Our aim is to enable children to develop into adults who have the skills to take responsibility for themselves and contribute to their community. Togetherness US board and friends have raised $5,000 as a grant to support the youth house with education and vocational training. Funded through the Cleveland Arab Theater tickets sales donations.