At El Menahil International School in Türkiye, Syrian refugee students who have lived through their own tragedies responded with compassion and solidarity to the survivors of the recent earthquake in Myanmar. Soon after the quake, they launched an initiative to raise both funds and send prayers for the survivors, embodying the boundless empathy born of shared hardship. 

Muzan, one of the students, offered a heartfelt prayer, “Dear Allah, save the people of Myanmar and their descendants, help them, and protect them from harm.” His classmate Mustafa added, “Dear Allah, let them have a home, bless them, and provide them with food.” Their prayers reflected the deep concern of those who have felt the sting of loss and displacement themselves. 

These children had once faced the devastation of war in Syria, losing homes, schools, and loved ones. Their teacher, Rawa, shared, “Humanity has no borders. In moments of loss and grief, such as what Myanmar’s earthquake survivors are enduring, we want them to know that they are not alone.” Though the distance between the two nations is vast, the students displayed how empathy could bridge any divide. 

For many of these young students, the desire to help was deeply personal. “Just as our school teaches us to reach out and help others, we want to support the children of Myanmar,” explained Muzan. During the weekend after the quake, they sacrificed leisure time, gathered their savings, and gave generously—all to bring hope to others facing immense challenges. 

Though the earthquake in Myanmar unleashed devastating destruction, the compassionate response of these Syrian children showed the resilience of the human spirit. At El Menahil International School, acts of kindness transcends borders, serving as a powerful reminder that shared pain fosters shared humanity. 

By Shu-Ting Ho