Universities are places for aspiration and change. This was no different at Al-Baath University in Homs. But there was an important similarity between all the students here; a shared dream to improve our country, our home - Syria. For me, I was focussed on reviving the Arabic culture in the old city of Homs.
During the first two and a half years of war in Syria, I lost my office, my valuables, my home and my wife. Many others have suffered as I have, faced with death and destruction, and left with little hope for our futures. Throughout the war, I watched, aiming to understand the structural and cultural damage caused. I observed people and their families returning to Homs after fleeing conflict, finding their homes and businesses destroyed.
This damage had a severe community-wide, and indeed personal impact, but there was hope still. I saw in people a desire to rebuild. I recalled the shared dream. As soon as I was safe and able, I swore to aid those affected by the war. There was a sense of immediacy to the destruction, and it kick-started this shared journey to revive my city.
In a call for help, I found there was no definitive answer. Where was the immediate support? From what global community was our solution to come from? It became clear that change had to come from within. I announced initiatives, asking people to return to their destroyed neighbourhoods. This was not a time to give up, it was a time to be inspired, a time to become change and shift the trajectory.
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What happened
Here is the answer after 2 and half years of war from 2012 until June 2014 …. Like most of people, I lost my office and all my valuables in my destroyed apartment disappeared. However I am still alive after facing death many times which I am very grateful for.
During this 2 and a half years I was watching this insane war and do notes what is possible and what I can do next.
What happened
I swore to set a mission of helping people as soon as I am safe, and saw them with their big desire and hope while they are back checking on their destroyed properties. Therefore, it encouraged me more to start my mission immediately.
Reviving My neighborhood
The first image
This picture was taken when I announced the first initiatives and asked people to come back to our destroyed neighborhood. I told them that we should not give up.
Reviving Aldablan Neighborhood
It was one of the best city centers in Syria and the Middle East. It was clean, arranged and very well known by everyone.
THE SITUATION PRIOR THE CHANGE.... 07.2014
Al Dablan was deserted. All offices and shops were abandoned. After the war, the owners
and investors were afraid to return to their properties. They lacked confidence and funds for rebuilding
and starting their business again. There is hope; …something positivities are that the condition of some
buildings are still relatively good, it wouldn’t take much to rebuild and most importantly, the people have the
willpower to make a change.
An initiative to rebuild involving all communities would return confidence to investors
and business owners.
Some photos of Al Dablan street before the initiative's ….
THE IDEA OF WORKING IN GENERAL
This is a large project mafe up of many individual projects. It was led by the collaboration with the owners and local Tradespeople.
The costs of the social activities was just 5,000 Euros. The 6 steps above covered all the necessities aside with the help of local agencies and volunteers who helped revive 65% of the neighborhood in just 6 months.
Key activities from Germany
Continuation of coordinated activities via Facebook
“Longest Falafel Sandwich Festival”
Empower personalities with similar passions and tasks (Like Hadi Soufan)
New Clock Square
Longest Falafel Sandwich Festival
As a result Reviving
As a result Reviving neighborhood stands on 3 Pillars
Competence
Community
Capital
The 3 pillars of... CCC
Key learning and core problem
There is no fail, start with what you have.
Owners are heroes!
Lack of resources to rebuild
Displacement - people are dispersed across the world
Great anxiety to return - social fabric destroyed
A lot of money is not necessarily the most effective
Communication between diaspora - local system and within
Local system disturbed / lack of reliable information
Key Question
“How can we support
local and dispersed communities to rebuild their cities and countries?”
Reviving Home Solution
Reviving Home is a digital platform that connects people who own destroyedproperty with reconstruction experts on site. Reconstruction efforts are funded by donors and investors from around the globe. Community mobilizers help to build trust and revive neighborhoods so people feel safe to return.
