George Washington students band together to aid victims in Syria

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Like many around the globe, George Washington High School juniors Obadah Moushmoush and Mouaz Haffar have been closely following the bloody developments in the Middle Eastern country of Syria.

Moushmoush, 16, and Haffar, 17, decided they could not watch the developments without standing up and trying to make a difference. Now the two Charleston residents, who are of Syrian descent, are raising money to help fund humanitarian aid to the country.

The two began selling T-Shirts, bumper stickers and bracelets with the slogan "Free Syria" to raise money. Along with other students, they have raised about $3,000 so far, Moushmoush said.

"This is just a great cause," he said.

Last year the Syrian people rose up against the ruling regime of President Bashar al-Assad. The nation's Army soon deployed tanks and snipers against the protestors and the result has been blood on the streets.

Hoping to overthrow al-Assad and end the nearly 50 years of Baathist rule, armed rebels and military defectors began fighting back in the summer of 2011. Moushmoush and Haffar, who both still have family in Syria, hope they can help alleviate suffering there.

"How can we just sit here and watch the Syrian regime do this?" Moushmoush asked.

Since the uprising began, about 9,000 people have been killed, including about 400 children. Tens of thousands have been imprisoned, according to United Nations' estimates. Many have been tortured at the hands of

Syrian armed forces.

"People are being tortured and mutilated," Moushmoush said. "The government is using fear to control the people."

"The protestors are putting their lives on the line everyday," Haffar said. "We can't just sit here and do nothing."

A few months ago, Hafar and Moushmoush teamed with other students and approached George Washington High School Principal George Aulenbacher to see if they could organize a fundraiser. Aulenbacher gave them the go-ahead and they began selling the items to students, faculty and staff.

They have been selling the items for about three weeks. They were surprised at how quickly it began to sell.

"We want to thank everyone at George Washington and in the community for all of the support they've given us," Moushmoush said.

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