Syrian orphanages overcrowded with children traumatized by war
An orphanage in Azaz, near Aleppo and the Turkish border, serves hundreds of Syrian children who lost their families in the ongoing war.
![MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA A boy stands outside tents housing internally displaced people, during the cold weather in Jerjnaz camp, in Idlib province, Syria, January 5, 2016. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RTX21508](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2017/05/RTX21508.jpg/RTX21508.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=GAwCcLyr)
ALEPPO, Syria — Dozens of orphans gathered around Alaa al-Din Obeid in the playground of the Azaz orphanage after their classes were over. The children asked him many questions at once. Obeid patiently answered them, the smile of a caring father on his wrinkled face.
Obeid clapped his hands and told the children gathering around him, “It is time to play now. You have one hour, and then we can start reading. Please do not be late.”