Finding a different way to celebrate Halloween

This Halloween, join World Vision in turning a night of fear into a night of hope for Syrian children

By Julia Evans, Innovation Manager

Autumn is just around the corner, bringing crunchy leaves, cooler weather, darker evenings and of course, Halloween. For most in the Western world, Halloween is a night of safe scares and fun with friends and family. Autumn is my favourite time of year and I love getting my winter clothes out of storage and wrapping up in cosy scarves and hats. But one thing I don’t look forward to is Halloween – I hate being scared and the slightest fright has me jumping out of my skin. Working at World Vision and watching the news also means I’m only too aware that for many Syrian children, they have no choice about being scared. Their fear isn’t manufactured for a night’s entertainment; it’s real and has been going on for far too long.

The civil war in Syria has reached its fourth year. As is all too often the case, in conflict situations children suffer the most. One in five Syrian schools has been destroyed and over three million children have had their education disrupted. Imagine living for months on end in a makeshift shelter or tent with no idea when you might be able to go home. Imagine being a parent and wondering if your child will ever be able to go back to school and secure the future that you had dreamed for them.

Children like Hani, 8, have been forced to leave their homes in Syria and are now living in Lebanon. “I was at home when the bombings started,” Hani said, “But my cousin, Amina, was at school. She came home and she was very scared. She told us that there were tanks in the playground. That’s how we knew we couldn’t go back.”

Thanks to World Vision, children like Hani are able to go to school despite the desperate nature of their living situation. Hani told World Vision, “Now we’re in Lebanon we go to school again. I love it. We have our own teacher and play like we used to.” World Vision needs our help so that more children like Hani and Amina can continue their education.

So, this Halloween, rather than focusing on fear, World Vision is honing in on hope. It’s really simple to get involved with A Night of Hope, our campaign to show the children of Syria that they are not forgotten. Simply carve a heart in a pumpkin, share a photo on Facebook and text HEART to 70060 to give £5 towards education projects for Syrian children. We will be taking all the hearts and messages of hope that we receive with us to Lebanon, when one of our staff members visits Hani and other Syrian children living there this November. Your support can help us make a lasting difference to children like Hani. Join us to turn a night of fear into a night of hope.

If you’re interested in carving a digital pumpkin, throwing a pumpkin party for your friends, or maybe organising an event at your church to fundraise and pray for the children of Syria, you can find more information and some helpful carving stencils here.

*Hani and Amina’s names have been changed to protect their identity and keep them safe.

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