Creativity as Healing: Art-Therapy in Syria and Iraq (since 2016)
Amid conflict and displacement, our Art-Therapy program provides children, youth, and caregivers in Syria and Iraq with a safe space to express their emotions and begin to heal from trauma. Through creative expression, the often wordless burden of trauma becomes tangible, resilience is strengthened, and mental well-being is nurtured. The program is implemented by Syriac Cross in Aleppo, Syria, and the Beth Nahrain Organization for Women in the Nineveh Plains, Iraq, reaching over 165 participants to date.
In guided workshops and expressive art sessions, participants find ways to process their experiences, rebuild self-confidence, and reconnect with their identity. Each three-month course includes a recreational outing—to monasteries, museums, playgrounds, or swimming pools—bringing moments of joy, community, and cultural connection.
The program concludes with an exhibition ceremony, where participants proudly present their artwork to family, local leaders, and the wider community. Each participant receives a certificate of participation and a children’s Bible, symbols of recognition, belonging, and encouragement.
This initiative demonstrates that healing begins in the heart, not just with material aid. By investing in the creativity and resilience of these children, we help lay the foundation for a future filled with hope, connection, and strength.
