Friendships Beyond Borders was initially conceived as a grassroots vehicle to collaborate with Dr. Vivian Huang to provide direct and long-term support for Syrian refugees in the immediate aftermath of the February 6, 2023 earthquake on the Turkish and NW Syrian border. Since then, FBB has grown into a collaborative platform where youth are encouraged to make their impact! My interest in the Middle East is rooted in my heritage as a Sephardi Jew with ancestry from Aleppo, Syria and Cairo, Egypt.

Dr. Huang MD MPH, is an iNGO medical team member that has dedicated much of her career to public health initiatives and emergency response efforts. To support her Syrian medical colleagues from her previous 2013 deployment, she launched a GoFundMe campaign to ensure immediate and direct aid to local relief volunteers.

Dr. Huang successfully raised $10,000, with Friendships Beyond Borders contributing about 20% towards that goal. 100% of the funds raised directly supports 22 families and orphaned children. 

Please consider a donation to support the longer term educational needs of orphans, like Silin. We are a volunteer-run organization and all donations are used to provide ongoing direct aid.