The radio became a way for separated families in the middle east to still remember mom on Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day here in the US is in May. But in Syria it was back on March 21st.
As millions have fled the war-torn country, it is sad and inevitable that many Syrians were separated from their mothers.
But refugees living in Sweden were able to call a special Mother’s Day Hotline, set up by non-profit Refugee Phones, to record messages for their moms back home.
The recordings were broadcast during ad breaks on Fuse FM, a national Syrian radio station that is particularly popular with older women.
This is one of the actual recordings from a man by the name of Muawya. He’s 24 and he fled his home in Latakia, Syria.
He eventually found his way to Sweden, where he has lived and worked for a year and a half.
His mom is still in Latakia.
Here’s what he told his mother in that recording….
“Hello mum, I wanted to greet you and tell you happy Mother’s Day.
I miss you so much, and I hope all Syrian mums are happy. I hope you will always be safe, and I miss you and all my family… and happy Mother’s Day.
Gustav Martner, from Refugee Phones, said: ‘‘We believe that this initiative can spread hope, and a confidence that things will become better in Syria soon.’