What began in 2011 as Disaster Relief evolved over two years into a longer term commitment for GHNI as the conflict in Syria, and then Iraq and relationships developed between the Jordan GHNI team and the refugees. While the refugees remain in camps and other temporary living conditions, GHNI will continue to provide relief and offer hope through relationships with these families who have lost everything. The desire of GHNI is to continue helping these displaced and desperate people even after resolution in Syria and Iraq.

By 2014, the team developed relationships with over 800 families who have expressed great interest in TCD. Having left jobs, houses, and family back in their home country, GHNI aims to help these families to get back on their feet, reform their community, implement sustainable living, and elevate hope.

Millions of refugees have escaped from Syria, now calling Lebanon home and seeking refuge. GHNI works to help many of them with their immediate needs, along with implementing Transformational Community Development (TCD) as they see fit. GHNI and our partners primarily focus on creating income generation options and teaching about clean water and healthy wellness habits. To do this, individuals are trained on how to use sewing machines, employing common materials such as bleach and linen to help purify water, and attend lessons on how to improve their quality of life. In addition to these, medical responses are provided as needed to refugees.

War-torn Lebanon has been grappling to overcome conflict and violence for decades. Just as its people sought to rise above in the early 2000s, another wave of violence in the Middle East began driving refugees to seek refuge within Lebanon’s borders. In late 2014, Lebanon could no longer accept Syrian Refugees except in dire humanitarian situations due to the strain on the small country.

The refugees who remain in Lebanon after years of waiting to return home are seeking work, just like many Lebanese. They are looking for ways to provide for their family, including education for their children, as they remain in refugee camps or other tentative living situations.

In 2015, the House of Esther was established in Spitak, Armenia to help the people through their transition. The House of Esther is both a residence and training center for women, children, and families who have been traumatized by war. Individuals and families living in the center will have their needs met for mental, emotional, and physical health, as well as other needs to help them recover.

Once the residents are on the path to recovery, they begin participating in Transformational Community Development lessons and activities, which make the House of Esther sustainable. Through this they will learn skills, which can be transferred to their lives once they have fully recovered and can leave the House of Esther, to live a self-sustaining life, multiplying the impact of TCD wherever they go.