Feraz, Fr Colin and Mafoud

At Villa Santa Maria, the Society of Mary General House in Rome, two Christian Syrian Refugees are staying. Mafoud and Feraz arrived through the ‘Humanitarian Corridor’, a pilot project run by the Community of Sant'Egidio, in collaboration with the Federation of Evangelical Churches and the Waldensian and Methodist Churches. Mafoud and Feraz have learned Italian, are employed, and preparing for a new life.

The project aims to prevent boat journeys across the Mediterranean, which have already caused so many deaths; to prevent human trafficking; and to enable victims of persecution, torture and violence, as well as families with children, elderly people, the sick, and persons with disabilities, to gain legal entry to Italy on a humanitarian visa, with a view to applying for asylum.