Aleppo: What's That All About?

Aleppo is a town in Syria that's been under siege for six solid years. Here is where Syria is-it is in the lower right corner colored green:

Here is a close-up of Syria. It's bordered by Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, and the Mediterranean Sea

Here are some before and after pictures of the destruction of the city:

Yes, this is the same street before and after relentless bombing.

Fighting for control over Aleppo started in 2011 and continued until (presumably) an agreement was reached in December 2016. The fighting was between:

• Syrian Opposition
• the Free Syria Army
• Sunnis
• Fighters associated with Al Qaeda, which is responsible for terrorism worldwide

vs.

• The government of Syria
• including Hezbollah and Shiite militants
• and Russia

                                           This map from 2015 shows the war month to month in Aleppo.



Aleppo was originally the largest city in Syria, with over 2 million people living there. The city has a history dating back to about 5000 BC. Many of the buildings constructed thousands of years ago,  now lay in rubble due to bombings.

In the fighting, more than 31,000 people have died, including over 5,000 children.


Bombing has targeted schools, hospitals, stores (a marketplace in Syria is called a Souq), and rescue workers.

                                       Imagine your town having bombs raining down on it like this.



The White Helmets are a group of people dedicated to helping save as many lives as possible, at great risk to themselves. https://www.whitehelmets.org/en

What is it like for ordinary people living-or trying to live- in Aleppo now?  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37561618


When you see a news story about the situation in Aleppo, imagine what it would be like if it was your hometown being bombed and attacked relentlessly. Think of losing everything, with little hope of replacing it. Your neighbors are also in the same situation. Your school is gone, the place you or your family worked,  your place of worship, all the shops you usually go to, but most of all your sense of safety, all gone. And to have this continue for years without any hope of it ending.


Why do you think this battle raged for so long? Was it about power, control, authority? Could it happen in your hometown? Why or why not? Do you know anyone who came from a similar situation? Are there any lessons to learn from it? Do you think it will happen again? Why?


Let's open up discussion about these things and remember these are fellow inhabitants of Earth.

Imagine A Better 2016

Where did 2015 go??

 

As I searched for end of the year recaps or videos to share with you, all I seemed to come up with were negative stories: this shooting happened, this bombing, this refugee story, that injustice. We had to offer our "thoughts and prayers" far too many times.

 

I wondered: Where are the good stories? Where are the stories about people helping people without being asked? What about positive "Stories of 2015"? Good things had to have happened...but where were they?

 

What were some good and positive things that happened to you this past year? Stuff like:

• Making progress on a goal you've set
• Making a new friend
• Learning something cool
• Going somewhere you never went before
• Creating something
• Doing something that scared you, and then you liked it
• Enjoying time with friends and family

 

What if we stopped and thought about the possibilities of the new year and focused on that?

UPDATE: Finally, a list of good things that happened this year, via Senator Amy Klobuchar and Buzzfeed:  Read them and smile. I knew they were out there somewhere: http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/2015-was-okay?utm_term=.qyDE25MjZ#.djWp1PqKw

Most of us can't accomplish peace in the world. But we can...

•  Remember to be grateful for our lives
•  Learn about other cultures and appreciate that we are actually pretty similar. 
• Care about what's going on around us. 
• Notice when a friend is struggling and offer help. 
• Accept help when we need it.

And, we can imagine a better world starting right now. Have a great 2016!!!

 

"Imagine" by John Lennon, sung by Eva Cassidy