São Paulo – The visit of the minister of Expatriates of Syria, Joseph Sweid, and of members of the Syrian Expatriate Advisory Council to the Syrian Home For Infants, in São Paulo, on Sunday (21), was marked by the donation of US$ 45,000 and 10,000 Brazilian reals (US$ 7,300) to the institution, which was established in 1923 by Syrian immigrants from Homs. “We are proud to visit this Syrian home, which promotes the name of our country. This institution reflects the loyalty of Syrians who came here and were well received,” said the minister.
The donation was made by the members of the council and should help the institution run its activities, turned to 1,600 children and adolescents who live in social risk. Apart from the youths, the Syrian Home aids 375 impoverished families, who receive support and psychological assistance.
The committee of expatriates met the vice president at the Syrian Home, Celso Emílio Stephano, the organisation’s superintendant, Cleide Paiva, and several directors. During the visit, the group visited the library, information technology rooms and even the classrooms and therapy rooms "I would like you to take from this place the memory of the work of those who believe in a better world,” said Stephano to the immigrants.
On arriving at the Syrian Home, the group saw a dance presentation by 12 young girls wearing shirts with the flags of Brazil and Syria. The minister and the committee praised the organisation’s work and applauded the girls. Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce president Salim Taufic Schahin, who is also a member of the council, said that it was with great pride that he and the Syrian Home team presented the institution, which has a bust of Salim’s father, Taufic Shahin – one of the first collaborators –, as well as a building named after him.
At the end of the meeting, Stephano presented the minister with a book about the history of the Syrian Home and a CD with music played by the youths at the institution, a non profit-making organisation that lives off donations. According to Cleide, the Syrian Home develops five social programs, all in line with the children’s statute.
Minister Sweid and the members of the council are in Brazil for the annual meeting of the Syrian Expatriate Advisory Council, which took place in Brazil for the first time this week.
*Translated by Mark Ament
