Updates from the field
Simple Acts of Care
Hygiene support for Syrian families facing hardship
June 04, 2026 | by McKenzie Hood
For thousands of vulnerable religious minority families across Syria, daily life has become a constant struggle. Years of conflict, economic collapse, displacement, and rising living costs have forced many households to make impossible choices between food, medicine, heating, rent, and other basic necessities.
Often overlooked are essential hygiene supplies that help families maintain health, safety, and dignity.
Through this project, Shai Fund provided hygiene assistance to 3,067 vulnerable Christian families, reaching 14,941 individuals across targeted communities in Syria. Working alongside local churches and community representatives, support was delivered to families facing the greatest challenges, including elderly individuals living alone, widows, single-parent households, families with children, people with disabilities, and households experiencing severe financial hardship.
Each family received a hygiene kit containing essential items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, feminine hygiene products, tissues, toilet paper, and other daily necessities. These supplies helped ease financial pressure and allowed families to use their limited resources for other urgent needs, including food, medication, and heating.
A Household Carrying Many Responsibilities
Lina lives in Syria with her seven-year-old son. After separating from her husband, she found herself carrying the responsibility of supporting her child while also caring for her elderly parents.
Her parents, both facing age-related health challenges, are unable to work. With limited income from her job as a teacher, Lina works hard to provide stability for her son and maintain a safe home environment during a difficult season of change.
“The most important thing for me is providing stability and care for my son and supporting my elderly parents despite the difficult conditions we face,” she shared.
Through the hygiene assistance project, Lina and her family received essential household supplies that helped reduce some of their monthly expenses.
“This assistance helped ease part of the pressure on our household, and we are grateful to God and to everyone who supported families going through challenging times.”
A Reminder of Care
By working through local churches and community networks, Shai Fund was able to efficiently reach families who are often in the margins. These partnerships helped identify those most in need while strengthening local systems of support.
The project demonstrated that simple, practical assistance can make a lasting difference in helping families maintain healthier homes.
