It's not just a centre, it's home

It's not easy to wake up one morning and realise that your life has completely changed, not just a degree or two, but a complete 180 degree. This is the story of Maher*, a child born during the Syrian conflict, whose life, along with his family's, took an unexpected turn as they sought safety and stability in Turkey.

Maher, now five years old, loves football with a passion. “Cristiano Ronaldo is my hero,” he often says with a sparkle in his eyes. However, Maher’s journey, much like his family's, has been fraught with challenges and hardship. 

In 2014, when Maher's family fled the escalating violence in Syria, his mother, Halla, made the hardest decision of her life - leaving behind their home, their roots, everything familiar. “When the conflict began, I told myself I’d never leave. We were so firmly rooted in our land. But as things got worse, the only thing on my mind was protecting my children,” she recalls. 

Relocating to Türkiye opened a new chapter for the family, but Halla’s concerns for her children’s well-being were ever-present. "We barely made ends meet," she admits. "My husband’s job helped, but it was never enough, and Maher had speech delays. It was hard to see him struggle." Like many parents, her primary focus was ensuring her children were safe, supported, and had access to opportunities that could help them grow. 

Then, as if the conflict wasn’t enough, on February 6, 2023, Türkiye was struck by a devastating earthquake that upended the lives of millions. The aftermath left families like Maher’s, already displaced by conflict, facing fresh hardship and uncertainty. "We thought we had finally found some stability," Halla says, "but the earthquake shook us again, not just physically, but emotionally."

It was in response to this tragedy that the LIFT Project was launched by World Vision’s Syria Response team, aiming to support local communities and refugees, both socially and psychologically, helping them restore a sense of normalcy in the wake of disaster. The project’s mission—Life in Fullness to Together—was not just about education or activity; it was about rebuilding lives and creating a sense of home.

"We heard about the LIFT Center through our neighbors," Halla shares. "And since we live just across from the center, we could see the children playing, learning, and participating in activities. One day, I decided to take Maher, along with Razan and Ahmed, and see what it was all about." 

The moment they stepped inside the LIFT Center, everything changed. For Halla, it felt like more than just a center. “It was a home,” she says. “For the first time in a long time, I felt like my children had a place where they belonged.” 

Maher, in particular, was transformed. "For the first time, he started asking, 'When are we going to the LIFT Center, Mom?' He was excited, eager to join in," Halla recalls, her face lighting up. "He made friends, learned numbers, colors, even some English words, all through songs and creative activities. He’s not the same Maher who was once afraid to step outside. Now, he’s curious, engaged, and thriving." 

The impact on Maher’s development has been remarkable. “One day, he told me, ‘Mom, did you know the sun is yellow?’ He started noticing the world around him - something I hadn’t seen in him before,” Halla says, her voice filled with pride. 

More than just a place for learning, the LIFT Center became a lifeline for the whole family. "Before, Maher was withdrawn and quiet. Now, he’s blossomed into a vibrant, confident child. And it’s not just him - my other children, Razan and Ahmed, have also grown. It’s like we’ve found our place in this community," Halla says. 

The LIFT Center also helped Halla herself integrate into the local community. “I come with my children, and for the first time since we moved, I feel like I have a home here. I’ve met new people, both Syrians and Turks, and it’s helped me connect with our new neighbors in ways I hadn’t imagined.” 

Idil, a child development facilitator at the center, sees the change too. “Maher is a bright child. He loves singing, and his voice is beautiful. He’s also helping his siblings with their Arabic language skills, which is such a joy to witness,” she says. 

The LIFT Center in Kilis stands as a symbol of resilience, hope, and integration for refugee families and the local Turkish community. Launched in the wake of the earthquake, the project has become a place where families like Maher’s, already battered by conflict, can find solace, support, and a way forward. It’s more than just a center - it’s a home. 

“For me, the LIFT Center is where we rediscovered our joy, our sense of belonging,” Halla says. "It’s given us more than I could have imagined - it’s given us hope."

*Name has been changed to protect identity.