Ana Kamen – Syria

/ Al Mazeed / By

ANA KAMEN PROJECT – FULL REPORT


Location: Syria (Alep, Homs, Tartous, Damas)
Duration: September 2023 → May 2024
Beneficiaries: 200 youth leaders & frontline workers (20 participants per session)
Project Title: Syria: Training for Frontline Personnel

1. Introduction

The Ana Kamen project, meaning “Me Too”, is an initiative launched by Al-Mazeed to respond to the psychological, social, and spiritual needs of youth leaders and frontline responders in Syria. These beneficiaries are scout leaders, Christian movement heads, social workers, and volunteers who are actively supporting their communities during crises — from natural disasters and armed conflicts to pandemics and humanitarian emergencies.

Due to the difficulty of bringing beneficiaries to Lebanon, all interventions take place in Syria, Tartous, providing a safe and supportive environment for training, reflection, and healing.

2. Project Context

Syria has been severely impacted by years of war, instability, and humanitarian crises, resulting in:

  • Limited access to mental health professionals — very few psychologists, psychiatrists, or therapists remain in the country.

  • Minimal support systems for trauma recovery, especially among youth leaders carrying heavy responsibilities.

  • Ongoing social and economic hardships, creating heightened pressure on community responders.

Ana Kamen addresses this gap by empowering 200 youth leaders to care for their own mental, emotional, and spiritual health so they can continue supporting their communities effectively.

3. Project Objectives

The program is designed to empower young leaders through holistic development that integrates human, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions.

General Objective

To enable participants to care for their own well-being while improving their capacity to support others within their communities.

Specific Objectives

  • Master inner liberation techniques and stress release.

  • Identify personal strengths, weaknesses, and limits while fostering self-acceptance.

  • Grow emotionally and spiritually, achieving balance and harmony between thoughts, words, and actions.

  • Improve communication and interpersonal skills.

  • Acquire an objective vision of life and a deeper understanding of self and others.

  • Create a safe space for emotional ventilation, reflection, and relaxation.

4. Target Beneficiaries

  • Age group: 20–35 years old

  • Profile: Scout leaders, movement heads, NGO staff, volunteers, social workers, and youth coordinators

  • Geographic scope: Alep, Homs, Tartous, and Damas

  • Total beneficiaries: 200 participants (20 per session, rotating between regions)

5. Methodology & Activities

The project spans 10 months (September 2023 → May 2024) with monthly weekend sessions. Each session focuses on a different theme so participants can select what resonates with their personal needs.

Key Components

  • Training Workshops: Led by specialists in psychology, art-therapy, drama therapy, meditation, and emotional regulation.

  • Dialogue Circles: Safe spaces to express emotions, share experiences, and build solidarity.

  • Spiritual Guidance: Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, promoting inner healing and meaning-making.

  • Recreational & Cultural Outings: Opportunities for social connection and emotional release.

6. Themes Covered

Each weekend focuses on one main topic combining personal growth and healing techniques:

  1. Art-Therapy (Sept 2023) – Using creativity to process emotions and traumas.

  2. Emotional Regulation (Oct 2023) – Tools to manage stress, anxiety, and burnout.

  3. Drama-Therapy (Nov 2023) – Expressive exercises to improve self-awareness and release tension.

  4. Meditation & Mindfulness (Dec 2023) – Cultivating presence, relaxation, and inner balance.

  5. Managing Interpersonal Relationships (Jan 2024) – Strengthening empathy and communication.

7. Testimonials from Participants

The impact of Ana Kamen is reflected in heartfelt feedback:

“The art-therapy session gave me peace and emotional relief. It helped me discover myself in new ways. Thank you for your support.”

“These weekends are rare opportunities in Syria. We don’t have access to such treatments here. I returned home calmer, stronger, and more hopeful.”

“Drama therapy allowed me to reconnect with my emotions. I feel energized and optimistic, ready to support my community again.”

“Thank you for creating this safe space. I’ve learned to listen to my emotional voice and accept my personal limits.”

8. Achievements (Sept 2023 → May 2024)

  • 10 weekends completed successfully despite regional tensions (including the Gaza war).

  • 100+ participants have already benefited from the first cycles.

  • New methods introduced: Art-therapy, drama therapy, and meditation — techniques rarely available in Syria.

  • Built strong inter-regional connections among leaders from Alep, Homs, Tartous, and Damas.

  • Empowered youth leaders to support their communities while protecting their own well-being.

9. Challenges

  • Shortage of qualified mental health professionals in Syria.

  • Initial resistance from some bishops and leaders unfamiliar with personal development methodologies.

  • Regional instability occasionally disrupting scheduling and logistics.

Despite these challenges, Ana Kamen succeeded in launching a unique intervention for frontline youth leaders.

10. Impact

The project delivers a transformational experience for participants by:

  • Offering a safe space for emotional release and psychological healing.

  • Providing practical tools to manage personal stress and support others.

  • Strengthening leadership capacity among youth responsible for communities in crisis.

  • Creating a sustainable peer-support network across four Syrian regions.

11. Conclusion & Next Steps

The Ana Kamen project fills a critical gap in Syria by addressing the mental, social, and spiritual needs of youth leaders. By combining training, psychosocial support, and spirituality, the program builds resilient, confident leaders capable of serving their communities while protecting their own well-being.

The next phase aims to:

  • Expand sessions to reach more regions and beneficiaries.

  • Introduce advanced training on trauma care and resilience strategies.

  • Build stronger collaborations with local parishes and NGOs to ensure long-term sustainability.