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Courage & Compassion Amidst War In Syria: Interview With Talin Topal

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  • Courage & Compassion Amidst War In Syria: Interview With Talin Topal

    COURAGE & COMPASSION AMIDST WAR IN SYRIA: INTERVIEW WITH TALIN TOPALAKIAN

    States News Service
    March 11, 2013 Monday

    The following information was released by the Presbyterian Church
    (U.S.A.):

    An Interview with Talin Topalakian Jinishian Memorial Program

    Cara Taylor

    How did the Armenian community come to be in Syria, and when did
    Jinishian come into the picture?

    Armenian roots have been in Syria for centuries. But since 1915 the
    population increased here because genocide survivors were warmly
    welcomed. Although it was initially very difficult, little by little,
    Armenians became an important part of the Syrian mosaic.

    Since 1966 the Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP) has always been there
    for the vulnerable and poor, and we are now well-known as a neutral
    charitable organization serving in Damascus, Aleppo (an industrial,
    Armenian core), and the agricultural area of Kamishly.

    How are you weathering this war now going on two years?

    People are praying and hoping every day to get back their secure,
    stable life. These days are very difficult, and sometimes very
    hopeless. We are having casualties within our community. Nearly
    everybody is worried about the unpredictable future, as even the middle
    class must now apply for help, wishing that this will be temporary. In
    every time and place, we have the poor, but nowadays people in Syria
    also face psychological, physical, social and security problems.

    And yet you came into your role as Country Director just a few months
    ago. How did you make that choice?

    That timing was the biggest challenge for me. My desire was to serve
    the largest number of Armenians in need, regardless of their religious,
    social or political affiliation. I sought moral satisfaction and deeper
    empathy. The words of Martin Luther King came to mind: Every man must
    decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in
    the darkness of destructive selfishness.

    Where does that courage come from?

    Although our Jinishian Memorial Program family lives with all these
    dangers personally, we feel responsible to help and support our
    community. Saving someones life, giving shelter to a homeless child,
    giving hope to an abandoned, lonely, elderly and sick person, and
    showing compassion and helping an unemployed breadwinnerthis gives
    happiness to our hearts, and we can forget our own troubles a bit.

    The more we give, the more Gods love grows in us. If we dont help and
    love each other here, we cant love a God who we dont see. God is love,
    whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him (1 John 4:16).

    What do you hope for, Talin? What would you most wish our readers
    to know?

    Our most important dream is to have back our safe and peaceful life
    in order to implement programs and projects in cooperation with the
    churches and other organizations, to help Armenian families to survive,
    restart their activities and recover.

    Although some Armenians (with relatives or means) have left Syria
    temporarily, the majority who remain are struggling to live and need
    more assistance. With your help, we can give hope to one more family.

    Armenians in Syria need you more than ever because they trust this
    organization that has always been beside them. I want to thank all
    those who support JMP morally and financially, so that we can help
    people and honor Mr. Jinishians vision.

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