Damascus, SíriaEm dezembro 2024, I took my first visit back to Syria just four days after the fall of the regime — brief, euphoric, and full of emotion. This second trip, taken almost a year later, allowed me more time to reconnect with friends, family and colleagues. I had the chance to visit my university in Aleppo and speak with the professor supervising my unfinished thesis in French literature, titled “Amin Maalouf: à la quête de réconciliation.” I chose this theme during the revolution because I found it deeply connected to our situation at the time. I was fascinated with how Amin Maalouf sought to reconcile his past and present, the Orient and the Occident, and his multiple, often competing, identidades.
These themes mirror my own journey as a young Syrian who was forced to leave his country, live abroad, and yet remain deeply connected to his roots – hoping one day to return to a future free from authoritarianism and brutality, where human dignity is truly respected. I still hope that, in the coming years, I will be able to resume and complete my master’s thesis.
I departed Syria at the end of this second trip with renewed, but cautious hope for the future. Extraordinary resilience, criatividade, and hope that continue to shine through, even after years of conflict and displacement. Walking through the streets, meeting people, and witnessing their quiet determination left a lasting impression on me — a reminder that the spirit of Syria endures in its people.
Though the challenges ahead are immense — from rebuilding shattered infrastructure to mending the social fabric — this journey renewed my sense of purpose and my commitment to contribute, in whatever way I can, to the healing and rebuilding of my homeland. Syria’s story is still unfolding, and I hold onto the belief that, junto, its people can shape a future rooted in dignity, justice, and the shared hope of beginning anew.
Key Takeaways
The Realities of Daily Life in Syria
It is both fascinating and sobering to witness what day-to-day life has become for the average Syrian. Beyond the constant uncertainty about electricity, água, or bread distribution, securing basic necessities like cooking gas and food is a daily challenge. People spend hours queuing for gas, coping with unpredictable prices, and managing fluctuating prices — tasks that most people in other countries rarely have to consider. Life here is measured not by comfort or convenience, but by the ability to secure essentials for survival. Ainda, despite these hardships, the resilience and ingenuity of Syrians in navigating these challenges is truly remarkable- particularly from the point of view of someone living abroad.
Human Capital
There is tremendous potential in Syria’s human capital — the “winning horse” I count on. Many Syrians on the ground, especially young and brilliant individuals, are stepping up and doing everything they can to help improve the situation. They are not afraid to admit when they lack experience or need support; this humility, coupled with their determination, makes them the true treasure of this era. I believe that this human capital represents one of the most powerful forces driving Syria’s future reconstruction and development. There should be concerted efforts to further strengthen this force by providing relevant capacity-building and essential resources that allow Syrians to fully realize their potential.
Hopes Inflated by Narratives
While it is important to encourage economic recovery and support local initiatives, people’s hopes are often inflated by narratives suggesting that major investments and millions of dollars will flow into the country immediately. I am deeply concerned that these expectations may be crushed by the reality that such processes take time. Without honest communication and effective management of public expectations, many remain vulnerable to frustration and disappointment. Ainda, with greater transparency and realistic planning, these hopes can be transformed into steady, sustainable progress rather than fleeting optimism.
Huge Gaps in Social Classes
Even though I was aware of the economic situation and the collapse of the Syrian pound, I was still shocked by its profound impact on society. The erosion of the middle class — once the backbone of Syria’s social and economic stability — is now unmistakable. Families who once lived comfortably, owned small businesses, or held stable jobs have been pushed into poverty, struggling to afford even basic necessities such as food, fuel, and medicine.
A small elite continues to live relatively well, benefiting from privileged access to foreign currency or political connections, while the majority face daily hardship, relying on aid or remittances, this widening divide threatens social cohesion and undermines prospects for recovery, transforming what was once a balanced society into one marked by inequality and frustration. Ainda, despite these challenges, the perseverance and solidarity that persist among ordinary Syrians offer a glimmer of hope — a reminder that rebuilding begins not only with resources, but with the resilience of the people themselves. This resilience becomes even stronger when paired with access to education and learning opportunities.
Governance and Institutional Transformation
The governance landscape in Syria is changing rapidly. Some ministries are merging, while others are newly emerging, reflecting both the complexity of reconstruction and the need to adapt to evolving challenges. The government is attempting to draw lessons from the experiences of other countries, and in my view, some initiatives are likely to succeed while others may fall short — an inevitable part of any genuine learning process. Por exemplo, the creation of the Administrative Development Ministry, with a broad mandate that includes capacity development and the modernization of public sector administration across all ministries, looks particularly promising. De forma similar, the consolidation of three ministries under the Ministry of Energy could reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency, though only time will tell.
Building a unified country with a well-established governance system that truly meets the aspirations of the Syrian people will be a long and challenging journey. While progress is visible in certain areas, many aspects continue to lag behind, underscoring the magnitude of the task ahead. Ainda, despite these obstacles, I remain cautiously optimistic that, with resilience, inovação, and a shared sense of purpose, Syrians will be able to strengthen their institutions and shape a governance system rooted in accountability, inclusão, and hope.
Widespread Infrastructure Destruction
Just a few miles outside Damascus, the scale of devastation is painfully visible. Entire neighborhoods lie in ruins — homes, escolas, hospitais, and public facilities reduced to rubble. The destruction in areas like Eastern Ghouta is staggering, a direct result of the intense military campaigns before the forced displacement of its residents to Idlib.
Rebuilding these areas will take far more than bricks and mortar — it requires restoring trust, meios de subsistência, and a sense of safety for people who have endured years of siege, bombardment, e deslocamento. The magnitude of the damage underscores the enormous challenge Syria faces in any future reconstruction effort, but it also serves as a call to rebuild not only infrastructure, but communities — and, em última análise, the hope that binds them together.
Civil Society Organizations
I met several Syrian local organizations that are active across a wide range of fields, from humanitarian support to governance. They work tirelessly to support the return of internally displaced persons, facilitate safe returns from Al-Hol Camp, mediate and resolve disputes within communities, and even monitor the modest elections that have taken place, ensuring some level of transparency and civic participation. Their efforts often go unnoticed outside Syria, yet they are critical to rebuilding social cohesion and trust at the local level.
Being able to witness and engage with this work firsthand made me feel proud to be part of this space. Even when contributing indirectly, whether personally or professionally as a development practitioner, it is inspiring to see how dedicated individuals and organizations are making tangible differences in people’s lives. Their resilience, compromisso, and innovation provide hope for Syria’s future.
Meeting the Heroes Behind Creative Work
Depois de mais de 10 anos, I finally had the chance to meet Syrians I’ve worked with for the first time in person. I also met colleagues I got to know during the revolution, who were on the ground the entire time, serving as our eyes and ears and defying impossible odds to deliver services and meet the requirements of our programming. While we had communicated through video calls for years, meeting them in person was a completely different experience. They are kind, humble, knowledgeable, and genuinely sweet.
Having worked with Creative for over a decade across civil society, local councils, and media initiatives, I am truly happy and honored to have met these colleagues in person — the real heroes behind all the work we do in Syria.
Mohamad Hamish has been with Creative for more than 10 anos. A native of Syria, he leads our current programming in Syria and has extensive experience driving positive change and empowering communities through innovative and evidence-based approaches.
