Born in 1959 in Aleppo, Syria, Sameera lost both of her parents as a young child, her mother first by leukemia at age six & subsequently her father by heart attack just one year later.  The experience of such profound loss at a young age is one she shares with all the children & motivates her tireless & inspired daily work at the Selam Center where she lives six days per week, taking only Sunday off to visit her family.  Sameera is responsible for overseeing the daily life of the approximately 200 orphans & 50 widows that call the center their home.  She has four children from her marriage of 41 years.   Her daughter Manar Damour is the cofounder & CEO of the Selam Center.  Her son Muhammad Damour is the center's third cofounder & director of communication & fundraising.