Project HOPE

100% of what is raised will go to help the refugees. My personal expenses are separate and already taken care of.

In April of this year I received an invitation to return to the Middle East. Ever since I arrived to the US.  in September of last year, I knew I would eventually return. Since being home, I daily remembered the Syrians in their suffering. After spending 13 months living and reaching out to them, I knew then that I would eventually return to help.  Their suffering is far too deep, and many of their lives have been shattered due to the cival  warthat continues to rage on.

In April, after receiving an invitation to come help the Syrians living in Syria, I purchased my plane ticket and began to raise money to return.  In the weeks ahead with the help of loving family and friends, I was able to raise over $20,000 to take with me to the  Middle East. My mission was clear- to let the Syrian people know they are not forgotten and dearly loved.  With the money I raised I was able to distribute food coupons that provided thousands of meals for over 1100 people for a month.  All of the Syrians who received the coupons heard that it was a gift from the Americans to let them know they are not forgotten by us and certainly not forgotten by God.
Distributing the Coupons to the Syrians in Southern Leabnon.

As well as providing food I was able to raise money to provide assistance for a lady named Zayzaf (pictured below).

 On Mother's Day of this year her 31 year old son came in to her room and wished her a happy Mother's Day. Later that day he bled and died in her arms on the way to the hospital after being shot by random gun fire.  Since that time she has suffered terrible grief, not just losing her son, but as well her home and all of her things.  The day I met Zayzaf she told me her landlord would evict her if she was not able to come up with her rent.  After sharing her story the same day I met Zayzaf, people responded and we were able to pay her rent for two years.  Words cannot describe the joy she had in her eyes when I went to tell her she no longer had to worry about her rent.  She kissed my cheeks what seemed like a hundred times and she had the picture taken below so she could always remember the Americans that had come along to help.


Not only was I able to help Zayzaf but I was also able to help Sireen.  She is the 14 year old girl pictured below who is on an automatic diabetes pump. 

She and her family had lost everything and had sold their jewelry and gold to purchase her very expensive medicine for her to live.  In the picture above I asked Sireen what she liked to do for fun.  She responded she does like to play games or have fun, she only wants her medicine so she can live.  Her family together cried tears of joy and happiness when I told them I had raised the money to purchase her medicine for 6 months (close to $1600).  That is one burden she and her family no longer has to feel.  The medicine is very expensive because the automatic pump she uses is rare in the Middle East. There are only 6 used in all of Syria.  Below is the picture when we took Sireens family the receipt from the Pharmacy, showing the medicine had been paid for and when it would be delivered.
As well, I was able to help other families like Sireen's and Zayzafs. One man was a father of three children, stuck in Beirut raising his kids on his own after his wife was killed in Syria.  He was overcome with joy when he heard that I was going to be able to take care of his rent.  There were many other needs that I was able to help along the way (far too many to mention ) all because I started a gofundme page with a huge desire to help.  Because of the people who read my page and responded, many Syrian lives were touched.  While it may not seem like much to some, for the families whos lives were touched it was more than they knew how to say thank you for.  Most of all, all of the people encountered the month I was in the Middle East heard that the Americans care for a love them, and they are never forgotten.

The Syrian Children and I outside of their school in Beirut.

In two months I will be returning to the Middle East. Most of the families and people I met last time asked me to promise I wouldn't forget them and that I would one day return.  I want to show these people that there is always a reason to HOPE and that is why I am calling this next project to the Syrian and Iraqi refugees PROJECT HOPE.  Through the money I am able to raise I want to help as many people as I can.  Not only will I help with food coupons and medicine, but I also want to purchase the children school supplies, backpacks, and help pay for some of their tuition as going to school is expensive for their families.  Education is one of the most important opportunities for these young children, as most of the young Syrian generation are not being educated at this time.

A lot of times when different groups and organizations raise funds, the person giving doesn't get to see exactly how their dollars were spent.  With the money I raise from now until the day I return, I will report back stories of families and lives that have been touched, kids who were able to go to school, and individuals who are continuing to hope for a brighter tomorrow.  I want to thank in advance everyone who is able to help these people in their time of need and distress.  Thank you to all of those who give to help show the Syrians that they should never give up on HOPE.

In Compassion and Love,
David


David Duncan Bio


For the past 8 years David Duncan has been living in Working in the Middle East.  He spent 5 years in Bethlehem, West Bank, 1 Year in Leabanon, and 13 months in Jordan working with refugees.  As well as working with refugees, he taught in schools and coached soccer to build relationships with families and children, using it as a tool for character development and a means to encourage education.  David's goal is to eventually return full time to the Middle East, to ispire hope among the Arab refugee population.  In the meantime he is very thankful he gets the opportunity to make short trips back to the Middle East, to be part of making a difference in the lives of people who are there.  David considers it a privildge and honor to work with refugees.

***For Tax Deductible Giving Please email me:
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***For those interested in Joining me on this trip please email me as well.
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