Dear Friends,
At the end of a historic, turbulent year that tested our humanity to the core, I wish to first say to each of you: thank you for supporting us through the tough times.
In 2020, we witnessed painful questions that have haunted the most marginalized people for decades, centuries even, come into sharp focus for everyone. These questions were no longer ignorable. From our systems of health, democracy, and education to the ill-treatment of our fellow humans and shared planet, equity—and the extreme lack of it—was at the center of it all.
In the time of “stay at home” orders, where do the people without home go? Whose lives matter? How are the most essential workers also the least cared for? Can we build true connection in a virtual world? And who gets locked out of that world due to lack of access to technology? Why do systems of justice and accountability continue to fail across the world?
One of the clearest takeaways of 2020 is this: What we have been doing is not working. And one of the only certainties of this uncertain time? There is a terrifying lack of global leadership.
The suffering became even more acute for Syrians and Syrian refugees during the pandemic. COVID-19 has spread across the war torn country at a rapid pace, bringing the death toll ever higher. Just a few days ago, an entire refugee camp in Lebanon was burned to the ground leaving hundreds of people who already had so little, with nothing, once again.
From the first days of lockdown in March, it was clear that Karam’s work was going to be challenged by the circumstance but it would be more important than ever to the people we serve. We adapted and grew to meet the obstacles the best we could. I’m most proud of our incredible team that kept going through it all.
To be honest, much of the year I didn’t know how we would make it. Our work is founded on the idea of providing a second home, a physical space, for Syrian refugees. How do you build community, innovate, and create a sense of belonging without the space? Would virtual Karam House work?
A few weeks ago on Zoom, we celebrated our second graduating cohort from Karam House Istanbul and Reyhanli—58 Syrian teens who have defied the odds and emerged with huge dreams and determination to match. My screen was a grid of joy and emotion. They wore their caps and gowns with pride in their homes, some joined by parents and siblings, as they watched videos of their stories and projects. They were connected not just through sharing a refugee experience, but through being creative, inspiring, collaborative. We built something new out of our loss. Both fragile and resilient, this was community.
2020 underscored that brave, authentic, skilled, and generous people are needed more than ever, everywhere, which makes Karam’s commitment to building 10,000 Syrian leaders a necessary investment in our collective future.
So we are dedicating 2021 to our future leaders. We will share their stories, track their progress, and follow their journeys. The Year of the Leader starts tomorrow with a letter from one of our Karam House teens, Reem, who shares her hopes and outlook for 2021, in her own words.
Thank you again for being in community with Karam. I wish you and your loved ones much health, joy, and peace. May 2021 be brighter for all of us.
With love,
Lina Sergie Attar
Founder & CEO, Karam Foundation