Jihan’s Story

Jihan’s childhood was fractured. Forced to leave her family at just seven years old, she sought refuge with her older sister in Aleppo, clinging to the hope of an education. But those dreams were shattered when her sister married, and Jihan, at thirteen, found herself back home, her schooling abruptly ended. Life became a cycle of helping her parents in their olive grove, the years blending into one another until, at thirty, she found love and married.

But their newfound happiness was tragically cut short. War erupted in Syria, tearing families apart and forcing Jihan and her husband to flee to Lebanon. They arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a desperate hope for safety. Soon, they were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, but the struggle to survive in a foreign land, coupled with the prejudice they faced as Kurds, left them feeling lost and alone.

Just when their hope was fading, they encountered Heart for Lebanon. Our team embraced them, providing not just essential food and supplies, but also the warmth of human connection and the unwavering support of prayer. The Kurdish church services at Heart for Lebanon’s Hope Evangelical Church became a lifeline, a place where they could hear God’s word in their own language and find solace in a community that truly understood them.

Jihan, who had been robbed of her own education, yearned for a different future for her daughter. Through our H.O.P.E. (Helping Overcome Poverty through Education) Program, her daughter found a path to learning, a chance to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter tomorrow.

But the transformation didn’t stop there. Jihan, once burdened by bitterness and resentment, discovered the healing power of forgiveness through Christ’s love. “Thank you,” she shares with tears in her eyes, “for your material and spiritual care… Many things in my life have changed because of these lessons.”

Jihan’s story is a testament to the power of compassion and the transformative power of faith. Heart for Lebanon was there, offering a hand up and a path to hope. From the ashes of despair, Jihan and her family found a new beginning, a life filled with purpose and the promise of a future filled with God’s love.