Children Begin Again through Art Therapy

In Aleppo, many children are still living with the effects of war, economic collapse, and the 2023 earthquake. When violence flared again in early 2026, those fears returned quickly. 

Shai Fund’s Art Therapy Program creates consistent, protected spaces where children from vulnerable Christian communities can begin to process trauma and feel safe again.  

Launched in September 2025, the nine-month program supports 90 children ages 7–15 across three cycles. The first cycle reached 30 children, each carrying different forms of trauma from displacement, loss of income, prolonged insecurity, and exposure to violence. 

Healing Through Creativity 

The program is structured and its approach is simple: meet children where they are:

• Drawing sessions give children a way to express what they cannot always say. Many begin with images shaped by fear—dark colors, isolation, uncertainty. Over time, facilitators see those images shift toward connection and hope. 
• Music sessions help regulate anxiety. Through rhythm, singing, and group participation, children begin to relax, engage, and rebuild trust with others. 
• Psychosocial support sessions provide a steady framework underneath it all. Through storytelling, play, and guided discussion, children process their experiences indirectly, in ways that feel safe and manageable. 

This work is led by a multidisciplinary team—a psychologist, art teacher, and music facilitators—who meet regularly to track progress and adjust support as needed. Over the course of the first cycle, changes were clear: increased confidence, stronger peer relationships, and a growing willingness to participate. 

One Child’s Story 

Miriam, an 11-year-old girl, was deeply affected by the earthquake. Though her home remained, her sense of safety did not. 

At first withdrawn, she was hesitant to share her feelings and often kept her fears inside. After noticing her distress, the team referred her to a social worker, who patiently helped her talk about her fears, understand her emotions, and slowly replace negative thoughts with more positive ones. 

Through regular sessions, Miriam learned simple ways to calm herself, feel safer, and regain control over her emotions. She began taking part in group activities, playing and drawing with other children, which helped her feel less alone and brought back moments of joy. Her drawings reflected her inner journey, changing from images filled with fear and anxiety to colorful expressions of hope. 

Adults noticed a clear change in her behavior too. She became more confident, more willing to speak, and more engaged with others. Her mother observed that Miriam was no longer the anxious child she once was, but a girl who showed strength, optimism, and emotional balance. 

At the program’s closing exhibition, Miriam stood proudly beside her work. 

Today, Miriam’s story reflects recovery and personal growth. The support she received through the program helped her overcome fear and anxiety and move toward confidence, strength, and hope. Her experience shows how psychosocial support can help children recover from trauma and reconnect with their childhood. 

Strengthening Families and Community 

The need for psychosocial support in Aleppo is ongoing. Many families are now asking for guidance on how to better support their children at home. Healing does not stop when sessions end.  

By focusing on emotional care, stability, and trust, the program is helping restore a sense of normalcy—not just for children, but across families and the wider community.