When I first started writing this article in late January, a second cohort of Syrian church leaders were on their way to Lebanon to attend a specialized training course hosted by Thimar’s SKILD Center. The training would teach them, and a few women from Iraq, how to better support children with special educational, developmental, and behavioral needs. The skills and knowledge provided by the course is something that they and many others in Syria greatly need, and as I worked on this article, something my grandmother always used to say came to mind: “One cannot live without hope. Hope is the only thing that keeps us going.”  

Knowledge and skills weren’t the only thing that these Syrian church leaders were coming to receive. The training offered by SKILD would also give them hope. 

Imagine being born in Syria in 2011, where protests quickly gave way to a long war that destroyed an entire country and millions of lives. For an entire generation in Syria, war wasn’t a short event. It was formative years filled with fear, loss, and survival. As time passed and the war dragged on, trauma became widespread and hope steadily diminished.  

More than fourteen years later, the Syrian civil war is over, but uncertainty and violence continue. The damage of war goes far beyond what can be seen. The Syrian conflict deeply affected mental health, disrupted education, and left children with special needs among the most vulnerable, particularly in rural and displaced communities. Psychosocial and mental health support did exist, but it remained underfunded, inconsistent, and often far less accessible than food, shelter, and basic medical care.  

In many Syrian communities, churches remain among the most trusted and consistently present institutions. Families turn to them not only for spiritual care, but also for guidance, safety, and support for their children. But due to decades of war, corruption, and other challenges, many church leaders lack the training and resources to be able to help individuals and members with special needs.   

Against this backdrop, and building on years of success in equipping educators and leaders in Lebanon, SKILD launched its first ever training course for Syrian church leaders and volunteers titled, “The Culture of Inclusion: Scientific Knowledge and a Practical Mission.” The course aims to equip participants who work in children’s ministries with practical skills and knowledge to welcome children with special educational and behavioral needs, as well as supporting their parents. 

By helping Syrian church leaders make sure that every child is understood and welcomed, SKILD is giving churches more than just knowledge and skills — it’s giving them hope for a better future. 

The first cohort: learning becomes action 

In December 2025, SKILD welcomed its first cohort of 40 Syrian church leaders for a three-day, 20-hour intensive in-person training. For many participants, it was the first time they received formal instruction in special needs inclusion, child protection, and mental health, despite years of serving children with learning difficulties and behavioral challenges. 

“Before, I did not know how to understand what they need or how to communicate without making them feel different,” said Bassel, a Sunday school teacher and one of the participants. From the training, Bassel learned ways to respond calmly, use an appropriate tone, and create safer interactions among children. 

Throughout the training, he and other participants engaged in case studies, role play, and group discussions that reflected the realities they face every week in Sunday School classrooms and church programs. They practiced adapting lessons, managing challenging behavior, and creating emotionally safe environments for children impacted by trauma. The final day focused on burnout and self-care, reminding participants that caring for children sustainably begins with caring for themselves.  

By the end of the program, many participants described the training as long overdue and urgently needed. Not long after, they also reported clear, practical changes in how they serve children. 

“Before I participated in the training, the biggest challenge I faced was not understanding the behavior of some children,” said Laurice, a Sunday school teacher. “Sometimes I interpreted their actions as stubbornness, and I would feel helpless because I did not know the right way to deal with them.”

When asked about the impact of the training on her classroom, she answered, “I came to understand that behavior is a form of communication, and that behind every action there is a reason or an unexpressed need.” She added: “I now include children with special needs by simplifying instructions and being patient. I saw clear improvements — one child who became calmer, more responsive, and more engaged because he felt safe and accepted.”

Bassel has also seen improvements.

“I supported a child with hyperactivity through structured play that kept other children safe and helped the child interact with peers without physical touching,” he said, adding: “Avoiding loud or strong voices helped the child listen better.”

SKILD’s plan to help the Church across the MENA region 

By the end of January, SKILD had completed its second and third cohorts, training an additional 81 church servants from Syria and Iraq.

Moving ahead this year, SKILD hopes to host additional cohorts with participants from around the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Like Bassel and Laurice, the aim is that these leaders will implement what they have learned to make their churches more inclusive and trauma aware.

As crises continues in Syria, there exists a huge need for practical, community-anchored solutions. Through its Culture of Inclusion course, SKILD is coming alongside Syrian church leaders to give them the skills and resources they need to provide some of those solutions.

“Regardless of the backgrounds of those we serve, the church, alongside Christian institutions, has consistently taken the first initiative within its communities, both locally and nationally,” said Suheir, a church leader who participated in the first cohort with her son. “This comes from our conviction that the role of the church is an extension of what Jesus taught and lived on earth.” 

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