al-Safina community offers security, dignity, love for handicapped

Mennonite Central Committee
Saturday, 20 May 2000

DAMASCUS, Syria -- It's a cool winter afternoon as Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) workers Eldon and Jane Emile-Wagler wind through the narrow alleys of Damascus's old city. Pushing their children Anthony and Mary in a double stroller, they purchase chicken and other meal fixings from little shops along the way.

They're headed for lunch at al-Safina Home for the Handicapped. As the Emile-Waglers arrive, a clatter of excitement erupts. Hugs and kisses are passed back and forth, with special attention lavished on Anthony, 4, and Mary, 2.

The Emile-Waglers are regular visitors to al-Safina, the only community in the Middle East based on the principles of l'Arche.

Founded in 1954 by Jean Vanier, a Canadian, l'Arche now features a network of over 100 communities in more than 25 countries. They are Christian communities where adults with handicaps live and work together with assistants. Living in these communities brings dignity and fullness of life to mentally challenged people.

When al-Safina began some five years ago, brothers Yousef and Sano were the first residents. They had lived in a state mental institution for over 30 years, after a childhood illness left them brain damaged. Eldon says Yousef refused to leave the hospital without Sano, who couldn't walk. While initially reluctant to take on the extra burden, the founders, two Syrians who had worked in a l'Arche community in France, eventually agreed. "Within a week, Sano was walking," says Eldon.

Now eight residents from various Christian backgrounds live with five assistants. Al-Safina operates with an ecumenical board under the auspices of the Roman Catholic bishop of Aleppo, Syria.

"They (the residents) are living here in a family. They have a home," says Ibrahim Farah, an assistant at al-Safina, through an interpreter.

"They have security," adds Nayfé Kassouhé, who has been an assistant here for almost a year.

"And they're loved," Farah continues.

They choose residents whose parents are no longer living or can't afford to take care of them. The residents can live at al-Safina for the rest of their lives.

It's a roomy u-shaped home, with an elegant, tiled courtyard in the middle. One wing holds a workshop where some residents make crafts for sale. They also have music classes, exercise together and receive physiotherapy treatment. And they meet regularly in their small, basement chapel for prayers and communion.

MCC helps support al-Safina with a $4,400 Cdn./$3,000 U.S. grant every year. For the Emile-Waglers, who administer MCC's program in Syria, their relationship goes far beyond money.

"It was very important for me that our partners don't see us simply as money givers," says Jane. "They (the residents) do not know that we support them. But they know we love them. And I think they love us."

Eldon says even though some of the residents can't speak well, they're a powerful inspiration. "They have a deep spirituality that is articulated by who they are and not what they say," he says.

From the start, Anthony has had a special relationship with Sano. Sano, who only speaks about 10 words, had always prayed nightly for "Momma, Papa, Sano." About a year ago, says Jane, he started praying, "Momma, Papa, Sano, Tony."

"They have really adopted us. They're like our family here," she says.

The Emile-Waglers visit al-Safina at least once a week. They regularly cook and share meals together there. And residents drop in at their home too.

On this day, the al-Safina family, along with the Emile-Waglers, gather around two large dining room tables. They hold hands for grace and wait until everyone is served. Then, collectively, they dive into their meals. When all are finished, they again hold hands briefly in prayer.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org