Feeding the energy of youth
August 2017Youthful energy, enquiry and potential. These aren’t characteristics that immediately spring to mind when we think of the Arab world. But in a region where one third of the population is aged 15-29 and another is under 15, they reflect the dynamic potential of these countries, if only obstacles like conflict, weak political participation, scant job opportunities, and discrimination didn’t […]
BRIDGING THE EDUCATION GAP
July 2017Once a world leader in medicine, mathematics and science, the Arabic-speaking world today struggles to meet the education, health and societal needs of its citizens. Brutal conflicts have left millions out of school and have increased pressure on host countries that are running shift systems for local and refugee children. But the “education gaps” in the region aren’t only the […]
Why were they killed? Addressing children’s questions and fears
June 2017Terrible events, such as the recent Manchester Arena bombing and the Grenfell Tower inferno in West London, claimed the lives of young and old. How to help children come to terms with such incidents, how to comfort and reassure them is a question many parents will have had to answer. Sadly, similar questions are all-too familiar in parts of the […]
Jordan: working together to meet the cries
May 2017Local partners Population: 6.5 million (plus up to 3 million refugees); 92% Sunni Muslim; 6% Christian; 2% Shiite Muslim/Druze Literacy: 98.5% men; 97.5% women Despite its small size and lack of natural resources, Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, plays a significant role in the Middle East, lying between Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq and the Holy Lands. Jordan is […]
Lebanon: the cry for unity and tolerance
A unique country Population: 6.2 million; 27% Sunni Muslim, 27% Shia Muslim, 40.5% Christian, 5.5% Druze Literacy: 96% men 91.8% women Lebanon is unique in the Arab world for the relative size of its Christian population and its cultural diversity; with Christians enjoying considerable freedom in sharing their faith. The capital, Beirut, is home to SAT-7’s largest studio, where many of […]
Morocco: the cry for wisdom from a generation under pressure
May 2017Young and hopeless Population: 31 million; 99% Sunni Muslim; <1% Jewish; <1% Christian Literacy: 82% men; 62% women With a median age of 29, Morocco has a young population. But like youths in neighbouring North African countries, their horizons are limited. Some 22 per cent of young men and 38 per cent of young women are unemployed (Al-Monitor, June 2013). […]
Syria: The cry of refugees for an education
A generation out of school Population: 17.2 million; 87% Muslim, 10% Christian, 3% Druze Literacy: 91.7% men, 81% women In the six years since Syria’s civil war began, over 11 million citizens have fled their homes and moved elsewhere in the country or crossed borders as refugees. Some 1 in 3 children have known only war during their lives and […]
North African youth: struggle and opportunity
May 2017For decades North Africa’s young people have pushed against social, economic and religious restrictions. A Moroccan Christian shares their struggles and the new paths some are finding as they turn to Christ. Ever since they shook off European rule or “mandates” between 1951 and 1962, the five countries forming Northwest Africa (known collectively as the “Maghreb”) have not served their […]