Matilde Chelhot was born in Aleppo in 1904. In 1944, Matilde opened the will of her late husband Georges Salem who left a third of his fortune, 70.000 Ottoman Liras in gold, to establish a major educational institution consisting of a comprehensive school with three branches (Scientific – Agricultural – Vocational).

With the support of the Greek Melkite (Catholic) Patriarch of Aleppo at the time Bishop Isidoro Fattal, the Georges Salem Foundation emerged, which brought together Matilde Chelhot Salem and Bishop Fattal and reflected the open view on reality and the future. Matilde proved herself in management and entrepreneurship, becoming the first Syrian entrepreneur. She was very active in the Ladies Committee of the Red Crescent branch of Aleppo.

When the Georges Salem school opened its doors for the youth in 1948 to teach various vocational classes, the number of students reached 425 in 1963 in both middle and high-school education! (The Georges & Matilde Salem Center – Managed by the Salesian Fathers).

Matilde passed away on the 27th of February, 1961 due to a terminal illness in a home she no longer owned, as she had let go of everything she owned for the benefit of the working class. With her husband, she established an institution for vocational training to serve the more needy classes, and her goal was to make every poor person of her city, Aleppo, no longer in need.

She left behind a fragrant memory of good deeds, altruism, achievement, and inspiration.

Source: Salesian Youth Ministry