Asmaa Mohammad

Qamishlo – Sêrtik Organization for Child Protection and Rights Monitoring is one of the active civil organizations in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. It was founded on August 6, 2023, in response to the growing need for a local body dedicated to defending children’s rights amid war, displacement, and social and economic changes that have directly affected the lives of thousands of children.

Since its establishment, the organization has adopted a vision centered on child protection and empowerment, and on creating a safe and supportive environment for children through integrated psychological, educational, and social programs.

 

Organization Activities

Shortly after its founding, Sêrtik Organization began developing a set of projects targeting the most vulnerable children. Its activities included individual and group psychological support sessions, recreational and educational events, as well as artistic and language workshops aimed at developing children’s skills and strengthening their self-confidence.

The organization also focuses on providing direct humanitarian initiatives, such as distributing clothing and basic necessities, in addition to launching awareness campaigns on children’s rights and ways to protect them from violence and exploitation.

Beyond service provision, the organization plays a role in monitoring violations against children and issuing statements and positions calling for their protection, as well as shedding light on the risks children face in conflict environments.

With the expansion of its activities, Sêrtik Organization seeks to build local and community partnerships to enhance its outreach capacity and to expand its programs in line with the continuously evolving challenges in the region.

 

“Our Work Is Not Limited to Aid, but to Building Community Awareness”

Julia Khlu, an administrator at Sêrtik Organization, stated that despite its recent establishment, the organization has achieved a prominent and active presence in the field of child protection, and has established itself as one of the most important community entities concerned with children’s rights in the region.

She said:
“The past three years have been full of achievements and qualitative programs that have left tangible impacts on the lives of hundreds of children, whether through direct services or through educational, psychological, and recreational initiatives through which the organization seeks to rebuild what war and displacement have destroyed. Today, Sêrtik Organization has become a well-known name among those interested in child affairs because of its extensive efforts in defending children’s rights, meeting their needs, and protecting them from the dangers of violence and exploitation.”

She added that the organization’s work is not limited to assistance and services, but also extends to building community awareness about children’s rights, promoting a culture of protection, and organizing programs based on education and psychosocial support to empower children and give them opportunities to learn, grow, and express themselves in a safe environment.

“The organization’s role has become pivotal in society in terms of organization, awareness-raising, and long-term program planning. It continues to expand its initiatives and develop its programs in line with children’s needs in cities, ensuring that protection services reach the largest possible number of children,” she said.

Khlu also explained that the organization relies heavily on direct communication with communes and local councils, which serve as a key link in introducing the organization and its programs to the community and informing families of the services provided. This approach encourages families to send their children to Sêrtik centers and activities, increases community participation, and strengthens the relationship between the organization and the local community, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of programs and ensuring protection and awareness services reach the largest number of children and families.

 

Restoring Joy to Children

Khlu stressed that Sêrtik Organization is working at full capacity to compensate children for the joy and stability they lost during years of war and displacement.

“Through recreational and educational programs, the team seeks to redraw smiles on the faces of children who were deprived of the simplest moments of happiness. In this context, the organization has implemented a series of projects over the past years, including the افتتاح opening of a garden in Washokani Camp with the support of the Kurdish Red Crescent, to serve as a safe space for play and to relieve psychological stress among children in the camp,” she said.

The organization also inaugurated its main Sêrtik Center to expand the scope of its services and facilitate families’ access to its programs and activities. She noted that one of the most important axes of work focuses on supporting displaced children who face harsh living conditions.

“The organization provided them with direct assistance and stood by their families during the most difficult periods, especially in winter. It also opened a center in the city of Aleppo to enhance child protection and provide a safe environment for children away from risks, especially in areas lacking basic services,” she added.

 

Discovering and Developing Children’s Abilities

Khlu emphasized that Sêrtik Organization pays special attention to understanding children’s needs and discovering their abilities through a wide range of activities.

“The organization’s team monitors each child’s performance during activities to identify the areas in which they excel. The child is then enrolled in specialized groups to help them develop their skills according to their interests—whether artistic, athletic, or educational. These steps are part of a clear vision aimed at empowering children and giving them real opportunities to grow in a safe and supportive environment,” she explained.

 

Challenges and Difficulties

Regarding the challenges facing the organization’s work, Khlu stated that the social transformations in the region make working with children and families a complex task. The idea of an organization dedicated to children’s rights is still new to society, despite Sêrtik having worked for nearly three years. Some families still find it difficult to accept or interact with such organizations, which poses an additional challenge to the staff.

She pointed out that one of the most significant challenges is the weakening of family bonds within many households. The organization’s daily work reveals cases of neglect or constant preoccupation with children, which widens the gap between children and their parents. Therefore, the organization seeks to raise parents’ awareness of the importance of communication with their children and to strengthen the family’s role in supporting, protecting, and emotionally connecting with them, thus ensuring a healthy environment for proper child development.

In addition to these challenges, the organization faces difficulties in accessing some occupied areas.

“Sêrtik teams are unable to enter these areas to provide support or assess children’s conditions there. Organizations such as UNICEF can sometimes enter and provide limited assistance, and Sêrtik hopes to obtain the same opportunity to directly see children’s conditions and support them. This lack of access is one of the biggest challenges we face, given the children’s great need for protection and support,” she said.

 

Achievements and Impact

Over the past years, the organization has achieved a number of tangible successes, particularly in improving children’s psychological well-being.

“These efforts have not gone unnoticed in the community, as families have begun to observe positive changes in their children, leading to increased support and participation in the organization’s programs and greater trust in its services,” Khlu said.

She confirmed that Sêrtik Organization’s doors are open to everyone and that all its services are provided free of charge, without any discrimination or conditions. The primary goal of the organization is to empower children to face the difficulties they experience and to help them overcome psychological and social challenges so they can rely on themselves and live their lives normally within a safe and supportive environment.

Every program and activity offered by the organization serves this goal, whether educational, recreational, or developmental.

 

Message to Parents

In closing, Sêrtik administrator Julia Khlu addressed a message to parents, stressing the importance of supporting children and standing by them at every stage of their lives, and not leaving them to face challenges alone.

“The partnership between families and Sêrtik Organization is a fundamental element in empowering children to overcome psychological and social difficulties and in building their personalities in a healthy and strong way. The organization’s ultimate goal is to help build a conscious generation capable of facing life’s problems with confidence and independence. Any success achieved by the organization’s programs and activities benefits both children and society as a whole.