Fundraising by Agnese

It was 2014 when I first set foot in a refugee camp inhabited by

Syrians fleeing the war.

And for the first time I heard about Syria, from them who had lived it and lost it.

I lived almost a year with these people inside a plastic tent.

More than ten years have passed since then, and thanks to other volunteers, who gave their time, I was always able to keep a contact and a relationship with these people and the harsh reality they were living.

The reality of war, which is not a story, a history book episode or a geopolitical reflection on which to have an opinion.

It's a tragic and dramatic reality, made up of broken lives, families broken into several pieces, people in diaspora, nostalgia for past lives and destruction--lots and lots and lots of destruction.

After 12 years, the situation has changed.

The destruction remains, lots of it, as does the pain, but many refugees can return to their homeland and think about rebuilding the country.

After 12 years I am leaving for a short trip to greet and support the group of Operation Dove (Nonviolent Peace Corps of the Pope John XXIII Community) that has been based right in Syria for a few months now.

I will finally see with my own eyes this country I have heard so much about, with love and pain.

Operation Dove's presence is now more valuable than ever to support and encourage a return that leads to peaceful reconstruction instead of destructive revenge.

If you want you too can support this small but concrete step toward peace.

Thank you!