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.”