On 11th December 2016, Jeff Phenix is hosting a yoga asana workshop at triyoga Soho as part of Yoga for Aleppo – a fundraising initiative to raise money for Hand in Hand for Syria, a humanitarian organisation working in Aleppo. Yoga for Aleppo was started by yoga instructor Sasha Buchler. Here, Sasha explains why she started fundraising.
why Aleppo?
Aleppo is in a desperate situation. The city continues to suffer from brutal aerial bombardments destroying buildings, homes and hospitals. Thousands have lost their lives, including so many children. Meanwhile thousands more remain trapped in a living nightmare within the city, with no way out and no way in for medical supplies or aid.
The horror endured by those left behind is impossible to contemplate. Even hearing or reading about it is too much to bear.
Just six years ago the people of Aleppo were living out their lives, pretty much like you and me. They had families, careers, hopes and dreams. Seeing the way their lives have been utterly destroyed is chilling. And it is still going on.
what can we do?
It’s true we can’t do that much. And as another friend advised, we shouldn’t feel guilty about being happy, enjoying and appreciating the moment, and counting our blessings every day. But I still couldn’t just block it out and pretend it’s not happening.
I haven’t followed the (extremely complicated) politics of the situation, I’m no expert at all on how it has all come about, and I certainly don’t have any views on how it can be resolved.
But if we keep thinking of and feeling for those in Syria and do whatever we can, however small, to connect with the people who are suffering, to show them they are not forgotten… it MUST be better than doing nothing. Can they feel the connection? I don’t know.
why Hand in Hand for Syria?
Hand in Hand for Syria uses its unique and extensive networks on the ground to deliver humanitarian aid – food, clothing, water, sanitation and crucial medical aid – directly to those living in desperate conditions inside Syria.
They are one of the very few aid organisations still operating in Aleppo, a city that has been abandoned by almost everyone else due to the impossible conditions and extreme danger.
The organisation was highly recommended to me by friends who devote their lives to work in this field, and whose judgement I trust.
Hand in Hand for Syria buys aid very locally and uses trusted teams in the area to distribute it discreetly, door to door, in both opposition-held and government-held areas.
I wanted to use yoga classes to raise funds and awareness, and dedicate our practice to those suffering out there, while we are here in the blessed luxury of safety and freedom.
On 11th December, 2016 Jeff Phenix will donate all proceeds from his yoga asana workshop at triyoga Soho to Hand In Hand for Syria, as part of the Yoga for Aleppo initiative.
join Jeff in soho…
build gratitude + compassion: yoga for Aleppo
saturday 11th December
book now
For more information on Hand in Hand for Syria, see their website here.
