Playground honors beloved villager in Turabdin – marking a rare example of memorial philanthropy
A newly opened playground in Arkah, Turabdin, is more than just a place for children to play. Donated entirely by the family of the late Stayfo d’Beth Hijo, the park stands as a rare example of Assyrian memorial philanthropy – honoring his memory while enriching village life.
A children's playground was recently opened in the village of Arkah in the Turabdin Region. While not the first such playground in the Assyrian villages of the region, this one stands out in a particular way.
The entire cost of the playground was donated by the family of a deceased man from the village in his memory. The Stayfo d’Beth Hijo Park, named after the late Stayfo d’Beth Hijo, also features a memorial monument with his image and name.
The park includes a variety of playground equipment for children, a fountain providing clean drinking water, and comfortable seating benches for visitors to rest.
This playground was donated to the village by his family in memory of Stayfo d’Beth Hijo, who passed away one year ago and was a well-known and beloved member of the community who was living in Giessen, Germany.
A new form of Assyrian philanthropy?
The playground is a rare example of memorial philanthropy among Assyrians. Memorial philanthropy involves donating to a charitable cause in memory of a deceased person — a way to honor their life and legacy while supporting something they cared about. Often, families or friends establish memorial funds or designated giving programs to facilitate this type of philanthropy.
While donations to Assyrian aid organizations remain limited, this form of philanthropy could fill an important niche, meeting more of the needs of Assyrian villages while also honoring deceased individuals from the community. The potential is significant, as each Assyrian village today has thousands of people from its diaspora living abroad.
